Attention focuses on President Johnson's creation of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to identify and analyze causes of the urban riots of the late 1960's. Results are reported from the commission's examination of the surveyed disorders, which revealed a typical pattern of deeply held grievances widely shared by the black community. Disorders occurring in Wichita, Kan., and in Miami-Dade County, Fla., in the 1980's are discussed. The need for police to accept responsibility for part of the prevention and most of the control of civil disorders is cited. Changes in the political environment since the 1960's are noted to have further complicated a police chief's task of preventing and controlling civil disorders. Several categories of police action are identified as contributing causes of disorders, including poor judgment, inappropriate response, and actions resulting from police prejudice. Ways for police to build community support and to prevent civil disorders are suggested, with emphasis on both long- and short-term prevention. The importance of thorough planning for the control of civil disorders is cited, and the development of a comprehensive plan is recommended. Plan elements described include police organization, training, equipment, mobilization, coordination and mutual aid, communications, rumor control, containment procedures, and mass arrests. Participants are listed; a conference agenda and 19 references are supplied.