Key tactical elements often associated with this era of manual-based policing include:
Outlining a hierarchy of intervention, from initial communication and negotiation with organizers to the eventual use of force if a breach of the peace occurred. public order manual poman 1971
Limiting a crowd to a specific area to prevent the spread of disorder, a tactic that remains a point of intense legal debate. Key tactical elements often associated with this era
The late 1960s and early 1970s were marked by a dramatic increase in public protests, ranging from anti-Vietnam War rallies to industrial strikes and civil rights marches. Prior to 1971, police responses were often localized and inconsistent, relying heavily on traditional "thin blue line" formations that were increasingly overwhelmed by the scale and intensity of modern dissent. Prior to 1971, police responses were often localized
While the manual aimed for "policing by consent," critics have long pointed to its more aggressive tactical guidelines. Some historians and civil liberties groups argue that POMAN 1971 introduced "pre-emptive" strategies that prioritized containment over facilitating expression.