Attachment_37 _Devices_Fabrication.pdf

Training Delivery Services

Attachment 37

Training Aids Fabrication Exhibit

1. Locking Theory. For those classified as locking devices, construction materials may vary but all use the same theory for locking an individual. A bolt, referred to as a pin, is secured inside the device. Individuals wrap a chain, webbing, or other material around their wrists and insert hands into the device. They then secure the other end of the chain, webbing, or other material to the pin with a carabiner. Carabiners are commonly used because protesters have the ability to release the device should they choose to by disconnecting the carabiner from the pin. Handcuffs do not allow protesters to self-release from a locking device.

Figure 1. Locking Theory

2. Booby Traps. Responders should assume protesters may booby trap devices by placing nails, screws, or other materials against the walls of the device and concealing them with duct tape. It is even conceivable that protesters could plant a device with blood-borne pathogens. Never reach inside a device, as sharp, chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive (CBRNE)-tainted objects could be inside. Local jurisdictions policies must be adhered to regarding appropriate operational tactics and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

3. Protester Device Material. A protester device is designed to physically or mechanically connect a person or animal to a stationary object, or other protesters, in of the law. A protester device can be made of plastic, PVC, wood, metal, concrete, ropes, tar, chicken wire and duct tape—or a combination of materials.

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Figure 2. Protester devices constructed from PCV

Figure 3. Metal material used for making protester devices

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Figure 4. Protester devices made with concrete

Figure 5. Cutting Techniques

4. Cutting Techniques. When defeating a locking device, the idea is to cut either the pin or the chain that connects the protester to it. Inspect the device’s material to cut either the pin or the chain, depending on whichever is easier to cut. To begin, cut an inspection hole so that it’s possible to insert a J-hook into the hole, grasp the chain, webbing, or other material and snip

it. An inspection hole can be made with either a three-side cut or a four-sided cut. The view through the inspection hole could reveal protesters hooked to each other by carabiners rather than to a pin. If that is the case, insert a J-hook into the hole to grasp one of the carabiners and snip it loose. Various techniques to use tools to defeat devices will be shown in detail in the other activities.

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5. Protester Devices and Related Tactics. When approaching any protest scene, a protester device may not be visible or, if it is visible, it may not be known if it contains a locking device.

Law enforcement should make their personal safety the first priority. This includes proper safety attire, such as 100% cotton uniforms and steel-toed shoes. The focus of extrication is on the locking device, not the individual—while keeping safety of all in mind. Do not rush when using tools to defeat a device: Be precise and proceed the same way each time. In addition, keep documentation of the work for reference if challenged later.

a. Locking devices. Find details below regarding protester locking devices, including variations on the sleeping dragon, underground locking device, tripod, and bicycle lock.

Figure 6. Sleeping Dragon

(1) Sleeping Dragon. In this common device, protesters connect to each other by placing their limbs inside a pipe and locking onto a pin mounted within it. Several individuals can be locked together to form a human chain or to surround an object or block access to a building. The term sleeping dragon is the popular name referring to the protester device that looks similar to Chinese parade dragons.

(a) Characteristics. Its longtime popularity stems from the fact that this lightweight device is easy to make, transport, and apply quickly. Materials needed for constructing a PVC sleeping dragon are inexpensive, found in any community, and assembled in a matter of minutes. The device, however, can be easily defeated, typically in a matter of minutes, by law enforcement if proper power and hand tools are used.

(b) Designs. The sleeping dragon comes with a variety of pipe designs: PVC pipe, metal pipe, angled steel, pipe in a concrete sleeve, pipe in a 5-gallon bucket in concrete, and pipe inside a 55-gallon drum in concrete. A variation is the pipe

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can be wrapped in duct tape, chicken wire, and tar to disguise the pin, making the extrication process more difficult for law enforcement to execute. Duct tape and tar also cause problems with the operations of the tools used in the process.

Figure 7. Defeat of a sleeping dragon

(c) Defeat. To prevent injury to the protester, attempt to keep the pipe—and, therefore, the protester—in the position in which you found him or her. Before cutting on the pipe with power or hand tools, stabilize it by simply lifting the pipe onto a Wally board (a wooden device made to stabilize a pipe). Safety measures must be taken to cover the protester with flame-resistant material to protect him or her in case the cutting process results in sparks.

(d) Construction. Construction of a sleeping dragon requires that a hole be drilled through the pipe to allow for the carriage bolt (or pin). The hole should be just large enough for the pin to pass. Nuts are placed on the pin once the pin has passed through the hole. Nuts should be flush with the top and the bottom of the inside of the pipe. Any extra length of the pin is filed or cut off flush with the pipe.

The device may then be wrapped in duct tape. Items needed for the construction of a typical PVC sleeping dragon include the following:

1) 32 inches (or more) of PVC pipe that is four to six inches in diameter

2) One 4 ½- to 7-inch carriage bolt

3) Two nuts

4) Chain or webbing

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5) Two carabiners

6) Duct tape (optional)

Figure 8. Sleeping dragon in tar

(2) Sleeping Dragon in Tar (Tar Dragon). As a variation of the sleeping dragon, the tar dragon is a PVC sleeping dragon constructed and covered with chicken wire and some other type of adhesive material, normally tar. Duct tape may be used to cover the entire surface. Like with the traditional sleeping dragon, two protesters connect to each other by placing their arms inside a pipe and locking onto a pin built within it or several individuals can be locked together to form a human chain or to block access or egress from a building or an area.

(a) Characteristics. Although not as easy to make, transport, or conceal due to the tar covering, tar dragons are attractive to protesters because they are more difficult to defeat. The chicken wire requires extra tools and time to remove. Also, be aware of the presence of biological hazards, such as human or animal feces, used instead or in addition to the tar.

(b) Defeat. Be aware that sticky tar can slow down or hamper the defeat process by getting on tools, rendering them useless. To begin the defeat, remove the outer layer of duct tape, cut away any chicken wire, and scrape tar off the exposed portion of the device. Then, clean off the exposed portion with a nonflammable

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solvent, such as brake cleaner, where cuts will be made. (Note: If nonflammable brake cleaners are not available due to state regulations use another solvent like BioSol to clean off tar.)

(c) Construction. Construction of a tar dragon first requires the construction of a sleeping dragon. Then, it is covered with chicken wire. The number of wraps around the device will vary. The outer surface of the device is then coated with tar or some other type of adhesive. This process may be repeated. Finally, the device is wrapped with an exterior wrap, usually duct tape. Items needed for the construction of a typical tar dragon include the following:

1) Sleeping dragon

2) Chicken wire

3) Tar

4) Duct tape

Figure 9. Defeat of a sleeping dragon made of metal pipe

(3) Sleeping Dragon Made of Metal Pipe. Sleeping dragons can also be constructed using metal pipe. As with the traditional sleeping dragon, the method of locking an individual into the device is the same, using a pin and a carabiner.

(a) Characteristics. A metal pipe locking device is very easy to lock into, using the chain, webbing or other material, and a carabiner. Concealment and transportation may not be difficult, depending on the size and gauge of the pipe.

Assembling the device is simple if the right tools are used.

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(b) Defeat. Like the PVC sleeping dragon, the metal pipe device can be easy to defeat if proper power and hand tools are used and if the responder does not rush the process. The types of materials and tools needed to defeat a metal pipe locking device also increase the risk of injury to the protester and the extrication team. These devices can be very intimidating to responders if they are not expecting them or are not properly trained to defeat them. The added weight and bulk of the tools must be taken into consideration during the extrication process.

The chain or webbing material is cut with bolt cutters because the pin is made of hardened steel and cannot be easily cut.

(c) Construction. Construction of a metal pipe sleeping dragon requires a hardened steel pin to be welded inside the metal pipe. Items needed for the construction of a metal pipe dragon include the following:

1) Metal pipe with a 4-inch diameter and varying gauge of either 1/8” or 1/4”

2) Five-inch hardened steel bolt

3) Welding equipment

4) Chain, webbing, or other material

5) Two carabiners

(4) Angled-Steel Sleeping Dragon. Using the traditional sleeping dragon theory, the angled-steel or elbow-shaped sleeping dragon is made of two pieces of pipe welded together to form an angle. The locking method is the same as for other sleeping dragons—using a chain or webbing, and carabiner to secure protesters to the device.

Protesters can be locked together to form a human chain or to surround or block access to a building or an area. In addition, protesters have put used this device around door posts, furniture, logs, trees, concrete picnic tables, and over the axel of a tractor trailer.

(a) Characteristics. Concealment and transportation of this type of locking device is much more difficult than the traditional sleeping dragon due to its extra weight and bulkiness. The construction is much more difficult and requires the expertise in cutting and welding metal. For the protester, the angled-steel sleeping dragon is easy to lock into with the chain, webbing, or other material and carabiner system.

(b) Designs. There are two designs to secure the pin in an angled-steel sleeping dragon. With the first design, separate pins are welded in each arm of the pipe.

The second design has one pin welded in the angle of the joint. Both methods require that the responder defeat each side of the device and remove each protester individually.

(c) Defeat. The angled-steel sleeping dragon is easy to defeat once the responder has identified the manner in which the pin is secured in the pipe. The process to defeat this device is the same as for the straight metal pipe device except that an inspection hole should be made in each side of the pipe to locate the pin. (Note:

Do not attempt to cut the outside angle of the device, often referred to as a “cat

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eye,” as an inspection hole because it is not safe.) The chain or webbing material is cut with bolt cutters because the hardened steel pin cannot be easily cut. As with the straight metal device, there is increased risk of injury to the protester and the extrication team when defeating this device due to the type of construction materials and tools needed. These devices can be very intimidating to responders if they are not expecting them or are not properly trained to defeat them. The added weight and bulk must be taken into consideration during the extrication process.

(d) Construction. To construct an angled-steel sleeping dragon, the end of each pipe must be cut at an angle so the two sections can be welded together to form an angle. The simplest is a 90-degree angle, but any angle may be used. The pin, or bolt, is welded inside the pipe. The head of the pin is then ground down so it is flush with the surface of the pipe. Note that items needed for the construction of an angled-steel sleeping dragon will vary slightly, depending on the method of securing the pin. Potential items include the following:

1) Metal pipe with a 4-inch diameter and varying gauge of either 1/8” or 1/4”

2) Two 5-inch hardened steel bolts

3) Welding equipment

4) Chains, webbing, or other material

5) Two carabiners

Figure 10. Sleeping dragon in concrete sleeve

(5) Sleeping Dragon Encased in a Concrete Sleeve. This device is another variation of the traditional sleeping dragon. A PVC pipe sleeping dragon is encased in concrete using a fiber form, such as a Sonotube®. As a variation, multiple sleeves made of

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different materials can be wrapped over the inner casing to increase the difficulty of defeat. As for locking an individual into the device, the method is the same—pin and carabiner. Sleeping dragons encased in concrete are used to block access to a building or an area. Protesters use these devices because they are more intimidating and difficult to defeat than simple sleeping dragons.

(a) Characteristics. This sleeping dragon encased in concrete is more difficult to construct. It requires expertise to mix the concrete. Some protesters mix debris, such as cloths or nails, into the concrete-encased devices because the presence of the debris prevents the form from easily splitting in two, therefore, increasing the time needed to defeat the device. Concrete adds weight and bulk to this device, making it much more difficult to conceal and transport. Construction and deployment of a concrete-encased sleeping dragon requires more planning.

(b) Defeat. To defeat a concrete-encased sleeping dragon, the exterior form must be defeated; the concrete must then be defeated; and finally, the PVC pipe must be defeated to gain access to the chain, webbing, or the pin. Using a rotary hammer, the large-tool operator can either hammer the center, also referred to as mining, or create a split along the top to crack apart the concrete. Increased risk of injury to the protester and the extrication team exists when defeating this device due to the type of construction materials and tools needed. If the concrete splits open too quickly, the force of the jackhammer can cause the device to injure the protester’s shoulder. These devices can be very intimidating to responders if they are not expecting them or are not properly trained to defeat them. The added weight and bulk must be taken into consideration during the extrication process.

(c) Construction. The construction of a concrete-encased sleeping dragon starts by inserting a completed sleeping dragon into a concrete or steel form standing on end. The PVC pipe must be flush on both ends. The concrete is mixed and poured into the metal pipe or concrete form, so that the concrete is sandwiched between the sleeping dragon and the concrete form. The concrete needs time to harden properly. Construction of a sleeping dragon encased in a concrete sleeve starts with a PVC sleeping dragon and includes the following:

1) Completed sleeping dragon

2) Fiber form for shaping the concrete

3) 80-pound bag of concrete

4) Water

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Figure 11. Sleeping dragon encased in 5-gallon bucket of concrete

(6) Sleeping Dragon Encased in a 5-Gallon Bucket of Concrete. A sleeping dragon encased in a 5-gallon bucket filled with concrete is yet another attempt to increase the difficulty of defeating the same traditional sleeping dragon design. Protesters use these devices because they are much more intimidating and difficult to defeat than simple sleeping dragons. To defeat this device, the bucket must be defeated. Then, the concrete and, finally, the pipe must be defeated to gain access to the chain, webbing, or other material or the pin. Again, the method of locking an individual into the device is the same (pin and carabiner); only the package is different. Sleeping dragons encased in concrete are used to block access to a building or an area.

Protesters use these devices because they are much more difficult to defeat than simple sleeping dragons.

(a) Characteristics. Any sleeping dragon modified with concrete is more difficult to construct. It takes some expertise to mix the concrete. The concrete adds weight and bulk to this device, making it much more difficult to conceal and transport.

The construction and deployment of a concrete-encased sleeping dragon requires more planning.

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Figure 12. Defeat of a sleeping dragon in 5-gallon bucket

(b) Defeat. To defeat a sleeping dragon encased in concrete in a 5-gallon bucket, the exterior form must be defeated, then the concrete must then be defeated, and, finally, the PVC pipe must be defeated to gain access to the chains, webbing, or other material or the pin. Using a rotary hammer, there are two methods to defeating a sleeping dragon encased in a 5-gallon bucket of concrete. It can be defeated it by topping it, which refers to using the tool along the side to cut off the top of the device like removing the top of a muffin if no debris is present. A second method to defeat the device is by mining it from the top, especially if debris is present. When debris, such as cloths or nails, has been mixed into the concrete, it will prevent the form from easily splitting in two.

Increased risk of injury to the protester and the extrication team exists when defeating this device due to the type of construction materials and tools needed.

In addition, the concrete may have nails, screws or other booby-trap items that slow the defeat process. These devices can be very intimidating to responders if they are not expecting them or are not properly trained to defeat them. The added weight and bulk must be taken into consideration during the extrication process.

(c) Construction. To begin construction, two holes large enough for the PVC sleeping dragon to slide through are cut into a 5-gallon plastic bucket. It’s recommended to cut the holes 1/4 inch larger than the diameter of the pipe in order to pass the pipe through the holes. The concrete is poured into the bucket

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up to the brim, filling it to the brim, covering the PVC pipe. Allow the concrete to harden. Other items, such as wire, rebar, bolts, chopped-up tire, scrap metal, and/or possibly a container of gasoline, may be mixed into the concrete in an effort to make the extrication more difficult and/or to create a booby trap.

Construction of the sleeping dragon encased in concrete in a 5-gallon bucket with a completed PVC sleeping dragon includes the following:

1) Completed sleeping dragon

2) 5-gallon plastic bucket

3) 80-pound bag of concrete

4) Water

Figure 13. Sleeping dragon encased in 55-gallon drum of concrete

(7) Sleeping Dragon Encased in a 55-Gallon Drum of Concrete. The sleeping dragon encased in a 55-gallon drum of concrete demands increased skill by responders to defeat the device. The drum is made typically of metal or plastic. The type of sleeping dragon device secured within the drum can be a straight PVC or metal pipe, an angled or elbow-shaped pipe, or two straight sleeping dragons set at an angle.

Openings are cut in the drum. The PVC pipes are placed through the openings. The drum is then filled with concrete. Protesters lock themselves to the device as with any sleeping dragon—by using chains, webbing, or other material and a carabiner. To inconspicuously transport the devices to a public area, protesters have been known to disguise themselves as construction workers or public works employees. Sleeping dragons encased in concrete are very effective at blocking access to a building or an area.

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(a) Characteristics. These heavy devices, which weigh approximately 1,200 pounds, are more difficult to construct and to defeat than other sleeping dragons.

Concealment of this device will be challenging, and special resources will be required to transport due to its extra weight and bulkiness. Any sleeping dragon modified with concrete is more difficult to construct. Construction requires some expertise in mixing concrete and cutting metal. As with other cumbersome devices, the construction and deployment of a concrete-encased sleeping dragon requires more planning.

(b) Defeat. To defeat a sleeping dragon encased in concrete in a 55-gallon drum, the exterior drum must be defeated first. The concrete must then be defeated, and, finally, the PVC pipe must be defeated to gain access to the chains, webbing, or other material or the pin. When defeating the device, use a tool with concrete blades to score (but not cut) the concrete. Defeat it by topping it, if no debris is present, or defeat the device by mining it from the top, especially if debris is present. If defeating it from the top, it may be necessary to have an elevated surface pushed up beside the device so that you can safely access the top.

Increased risk of injury to the protester and the extrication team exists when defeating the device due to the type of construction materials and tools needed.

In addition, the concrete may have nails, screws or other booby-trap items to prevent the concrete form from easily splitting in two. The added weight and bulk must be taken into consideration during the extrication process.

(c) Construction. The specific design of a sleeping dragon encased in concrete may vary, using PVC, metal, or angled/elbow designs. Two holes are cut on opposite sides of the 55-gallon drum about 20 inches up from the bottom of the drum. It’s recommended to cut the holes 1/4 inch larger than the diameter of the pipe in order to pass the pipe through the holes. The pipe, which may be straight or angled, will then be inserted into the holes. The ends of the device are duct taped inside the drum to stabilize the device before adding the concrete or debris. The concrete is poured into the drum, filled it to the brim, covering the pipe. Other items such as wire, rebar, bolts, and/or possibly a container of gasoline may be mixed into the concrete in an effort to make the extrication more difficult and/or to create a booby trap. After the concrete is set, the ends of the pipe are cut off on the exterior of the barrel to allow the barrels to be rolled into place. Padding may be placed around the edges of the sleeping dragon where the protester inserts his or her arm. Note that the items needed for the construction of the sleeping dragon encased in concrete in a 55-gallon drum will vary, depending on the type of sleeping dragon. Potential items include the following:

1) One or two PVC or metal locking devices, depending on the type to be used

2) 55-gallon drum (metal or plastic)

3) More than 1,100 pounds of concrete (often the concrete is poured from a mixer, which measures the concrete in yards—in this case, it is about two and half yards of concrete).

4) Water

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(d) Example. Indigenous Action Media constructed a sleeping dragons encased in 55-gallon concrete. In August 2011, nine Indigenous Action Media activists protested the planned development of the San Francisco Peaks by the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort in what was called a civil disobedience roadblock on the mountain. More than 50 law enforcement officials used power tools to break apart the concrete-drum blockade taking place on lands holy to more than a dozen indigenous peoples.

Figure 14. Underground locking device

(8) Underground Locking Device. With advance planning and access to a protest site several days prior to a demonstration, an underground variation of a locking device can be implemented. The underground variation is placed in a hole filled with cement (careful that the concrete does not fill the pipe when inserted). Once the concrete is set, the device is cut on an angle (often 45- or 90-degrees) to allow an individual to secure his or her hand in the device.

(a) Characteristics. Construction of an underground locking device is difficult to conceal. Before a planned protest, law enforcement should watch the protest area to notice any holes being dug near the protest site.

(b) Defeat. Defeating the device will be a two-part process: to defeat the concrete and to defeat the chains, webbing, or the pin.

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Figure 15. Train Rail Locking Device

(9) Train Rail Locking Device. The train rail locking device is made of two pieces of metal tubing welded together to form an angle. A chain and carabiner are used to secure protesters to the device. Protesters can be locked together to block a train.

(10) Tripod. The basic design uses three legs to form a tripod from which a person is suspended from the apex by a seat made of rope or board, or a climbing harness.

(For effect, a noose may be attached, giving the appearance that the protester could be hung if extrication is attempted.) The tripod’s legs, which can be metal or wood, vary in length from 10 feet to more than 30 feet in some cases and can be tied together using rope, nails, or metal forms. Several variations, such as spiking the legs, add a degree of difficulty to defeating the device, requiring responders to assess the device before beginning extrication and to continually monitor operations. Tripods are used for the same reason as the other devices—to block a building or an area. A common use is to block a road.

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Figure 16. Tripod protest device

(a) Characteristics. Tripods, which break down easily into their component parts, are simple to conceal, transport, and construct. Protesters like that they can be disguised as street puppets, signs, or hidden in banners. Tripods can be very intimidating because of the apparent hazard to the individual suspended from the device. If a noose has been added around the protester’s neck, responders must proceed with caution until they can determine the validity of the threat. A variation is a bipod incorporated between two tripods by linking them with a rope via the apex of each structure to obstruct a larger area than separate tripods.

(b) Defeat. All three common defeat methods require a large number of personnel to ensure that the tactics are completed safely. The methods include slowly spreading the legs, cutting the legs, or using an elevating device like a cherry picker to reach the platform. If cutting the legs, remove approximately 12-inch sections from each leg in turn to retain some stability while lowering. Recently, protesters have begun tying the tripod legs above the apex, making lowering almost impossible.

(c) Construction. The legs are tied together approximately two feet from the top, forming a teepee configuration. A second section of rope is attached to the seat, which allows it to hang down three to four feet from the apex of the three 2-by-4s.

The tripod is then erected to extend the legs, whereby, the protester will climb a ladder to reach the seat (or, if there are enough people, the protester can be seated and raised along with the tripod). Recently, a tower harness has been used in place of the seat, and, for effect, a noose is tied around the protester’s neck. Construction materials include the following:

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1) Three support legs, made of wooden 2-by-4s or metal pipe, at least 16 feet in length

2) Rope

3) Seat

4) Carabiner (to attach to the seat or the frame)

5) Frame ladder

(d) Example. The nonprofit Buffalo Field Campaign used a tripod to protest bison slaughter by the Federal government outside of Yellowstone National Park. A tripod was positioned on public land inside the Horse Butte bison trap used by the Montana Department of Livestock to hold bison before their slaughter. An individual, seated in the tripod, was arrested for the misdemeanors of obstruction, trespassing, and resisting arrest.

Figure 17. Various types of bicycle locks used by protesters

(11) Bicycle Locks. One of the oldest types of locking devices is the bicycle lock. The old-style chain lock has evolved into the easy-to-use U-shaped Kryptonite design.

Protesters use these inexpensive locks to secure themselves to other people, a building, or a vehicle, and may lock themselves together in a chain or group.

Because the locks are so easy to conceal, transport, and apply, protesters can be locked down in a matter of seconds. Demonstrators use the Kryptonite U-shaped bicycle locks to shut down entrances to public places, block sidewalks and roads, or prevent vehicles or objects from being moved.

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(a) Defeat. The “U” part of the Kryptonite bicycle lock is usually made of hardened steel, but the locking shaft is made of alloy metals simply giving the illusion that it is more difficult to grind than it is. There are three methods for defeating a bike lock: cutting the U, drilling the locking pin, or finding the key on a nearby support person. Be aware of injuring the protester when defeating a U-shaped bicycle lock secured around a person’s neck. Before cutting the device, pull the U-shaped device away from the protester to gain space between the device and the protester’s neck. Also, ensure that the head and neck areas are protected.

Circulation and/or breathing can be compromised if the person’s neck is too large. The demonstrators’ safety is the priority when attempting to extricate them.

(b) Lock Picks. Lock-picking kits used to be effective on the five-pin cylinder lock;

seven-pin cylinder lock; and the 10-pin cylinder lock; however, bicycle lock companies now make their locks so secure that lock-picking kits no longer work.

(c) Example. An environmentalist, believed to be with the Cove-Mallard Coalition, protested the removal of timber that would affect the quantity of sediment falling into streams that are home to salmon in the Cove-Mallard area of the Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho. The protester locked himself with a Kryptonite bike lock to a logging road gate and captured the 1995 incident on home video to document the conflict and show any misconduct by the loggers to the courts.

Logging truck drivers, in this case, opened the gate multiple times with the protester still attached—allowing for a humorous exchange between the two parties (Staff Reports, 1995; Olsen, 1995).

6. Motivators for Use of a Protester Device. A protester device can be anything that impedes the safe and normal activity at a public place. The device physically or mechanically connects a person to an object in violation of the law, creating civil disorder. Protesters rely on a variety of devices to make their presence known to occupy key areas, such as buildings and roadways, to block bystanders from entry or exit from public areas, to tax public safety resources, and to create a space for debate. In the process of occupying an area, protesters can stop the flow of activity. Individuals set up a device and attach themselves to a stationary object like a university president’s desk. Protesters often use extrication attempts by officers as evidence of excessive use of force.

a. Protesters use devices, both locking and non-locking, for a variety of purposes. A protest can incorporate intricate sleeping dragon devices or simple banners. No matter which type of protest device responders encounter, protesters may yell, scream, and/or feign injury or harm to distract the extrication team from performing their jobs. Understanding these purposes will assist public safety officials in developing response plans and strategies for dealing with a civil action involving protester devices. The following are some of the motivators for protesters to use devices:

(1) Force Multipliers. A small number of protesters can create the atmosphere of being a larger crowd by using a variety of locking devices. Protester devices can act as force multipliers by enabling a smaller number of protesters to block access to a building or to occupy space. This allows additional protesters to conduct other operations that will stretch—and, in some cases, severely limit—public safety resources.

(2) Speed. Devices are easy to make and transport to the protest site. Once on site, an individual can be locked into the protester device in a matter of seconds.

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