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SUCCESSFUL POLICE INTERVENTION TACTICS IN LABOR DISPUTES - WEST GERMANY

NCJ Number
66577
Journal
POLIZEI Volume: 68 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 8, 1977) Pages: 47-52
Author(s)
H BEILFUSS
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
REGULATIONS GOVERNING WEST GERMAN POLICE INTERVENTION, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CLIMATE OF STRIKES, AND THE TACTICS TO BE USED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER LABOR CONFLICTS ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH WEST GERMAN POLICE ARE PLEDGED TO OBSERVE STRICT NEUTRALITY IN LABOR DISPUTES, POLICE DEPLOYMENT MAY BECOME NECESSARY IF SERIOUS INJURIES TO PERSONS OR OBJECTS ARE ANTICIPATED. THE ADVISABILITY OF POLICE PRESENCE DURING LABOR CONFLICTS RESULTS FROM THE PARTICULAR PSYCHOLOGICAL SITUATION WHICH MAY INDUCE ORDERLY AND LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS TO ACT IN A VIOLENT MANNER. THE POLICE GOALS IN A CONCRETE STRIKE AND LOCK-OUT SITUATION ARE THE PROTECTION OF (1) LABORERS NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE STRIKE, (2) THE COMPANY AGAINST WHICH THE STRIKE IS DIRECTED, AND (3) THE CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER OF THE COUNTRY. POLICE PREPARATIONS, WHICH SHOULD BEGIN AS SOON AS THE STRIKE IS IMMINENT, INCLUDE CONTRACTING THE COMPANY MANAGEMENT AND THE STRIKE ORGANIZERS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON THE ORIGINS, MOTIVES, GOALS, AND DEMANDS OF THE STRIKES; THE LEADERS; THE TYPE, SIGNIFICANCE, AND LOCATION OF THE STRIKE SITE; REUNION QUARTERS OF THE STRIKERS; AND PLANNED DEMONSTRATIONS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE POLICE ALERT SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS (SUCH AS HOSPITALS AND FIRE FIGHTERS) AND GET RELEVANT EQUIPMENT (E.G., DOGS, LOUDSPEAKERS, AND BARRIERS) READY. POLICE ACTIVITIES DURING THE CONFLICT INCLUDE CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH STRIKE LEADERS AND COMPANY MANAGEMENT, SUPPLY OF SUFFICIENT AND ABLE POLICE PRESENCE, GUARDING OF STRATEGIC POINTS OF THE STRIKE LOCATION, AND THE ARREST OF RADICAL STRIKE LEADERS. AFTER THE TERMINATION OF THE CONFLICT, POLICE SHOULD CONTINUE PATROLLING THE IMMEDIATE WORKING AND LODGING AREAS SINCE ACTS OF REVENGE OR WILDCAT STRIKES THREATEN. THE ARTICLE CONTAINS NO REFERENCE. --IN GERMAN. (SAJ)