Managing First-Amendment Events in the Post-Floyd Era: The Effectiveness of a Dialogue-led Model of Crowd Policing

• In Event: The Link Between Police Legitimacy and Police Effectiveness

Abstract

The protests following George Floyd's murder in 2020 led to prolonged urban unrest, revealing flaws in police handling of mass demonstrations. Cities faced costly litigation and settlements, straining police budgets and eroding public trust. In response, police agencies are reassessing crowd management strategies to uphold procedural justice and legitimacy during First Amendment events. Using a case study approach, this research focuses on reforms by the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) in Ohio, developed after the 2020 riots. Ethnographic field observations were conducted to evaluate CPD's adoption of dialogue-led crowd control method. The study highlights the influence of local social and political factors on reform, emphasizing the role of federal injunctions and leadership support. It also underscores the importance of collaboration between researchers and police leaders in implementing evidence-based reform. The paper explores the enduring implications of evidence-based crowd policing, advocating for an innovative approach centered on facilitation and dialogue to enhance police-community relations.

Authors

• Clifford Stott, Ohio State University

• Shahidul Hassan, Ohio State University

• Duane M. Mabry, Columbus Division of Police

• Steve Dyer, Columbus Division of Police

• Kolin Straub, Columbus Division of Police