HMIC / Review of the Policing of Public Protest / vi / 08052009 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Terms of Reference 
 
 
Review of the Policing of 
Public Protest 
 
 
 
 
 
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HMIC / Review of the Policing of Public Protest / vi / 08052009 
HER MAJESTY’S INSPECTORATE OF CONSTABULARY 
 
REVIEW OF THE POLICING OF PUBLIC PROTEST 
 
 
TERMS OF REFERENCE 
OVERVIEW 
 
HMIC will conduct a review of the public order tactics deployed in response to 
significant protests involving disorder or the threat of disorder.  This process 
will be informed by examining the tactics adopted by the Metropolitan Police 
Service (MPS) during the G20 London Summit, one of the largest policing 
operations to have taken place anywhere in the United Kingdom, and other 
relevant experiences of policing protest both nationally and internationally. 
 
HMIC will engage in consultation and debate with key stakeholders and the 
public regarding the policing of protest.  The aim of the HMIC report will be to 
test the arguments for and against the use of police public order tactics from 
public, legal and operational perspectives. 
 
The review will consider emerging evidence against the acknowledged 
principles of British policing - public consent, minimal use of force and 
individual accountability, and highlight any tensions between these and 
operational practice. 
 
 
OBJECTIVES  
 
Through consideration of public, legal and operational perspectives the review 
will: 
1.  Assess the effectiveness and impact of public order tactics deployed in 
response to significant protests involving disorder or the threat of 
disorder,  specifically: 
• containment 
 
•  use of force 
•  liaison with media 
•  communication with public and protesters  
 
2.  Identify difficulties and barriers to the successful implementation of 
those tactics 
 
3.  Examine the overall direction of public order goals, strategies and 
tactics in dealing with such protests and demonstrations, against the 
acknowledged principles of British policing 
 
 
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link to page 3 HMIC / Review of the Policing of Public Protest / vi / 08052009 
APPROACH 
 
The review will examine: 
 
1. The operational and legal context (including human rights legislation) for 
policing major protests  
2. MPS operating framework for G20 in relation to both planning, and 
command and control arrangements 
3. Specific public order tactics and measures used to police G20 protests  
4. Public opinion of strategy and tactics employed in relation to G20 and 
policing     protest generally 
5. Key stakeholder views in relation to G20 and policing protest generally 
6. National and international approaches to policing major protests  
7. Operational debriefing processes for policing protest  
 
In the interim stage the review will predominately focus on tactics used to 
police the G20 protests. Consideration will be given to emerging findings for 
wider examination within the final report, in consultation with a wide range of 
people. 
 
 
OUT OF SCOPE OF REVIEW 
 
All matters relating to specific incidents or individuals subject to investigation 
by the MPS or the IPCC are excluded from this review. However, such 
incidents may provide contextual background to any findings or 
recommendations.  
 
 
GOVERNANCE  
 
This is an independent public review, requested by the MPS Commissioner. 
Copies of the report, both interim and final, will be provided to the MPS, Home 
Secretary, MPA, ACPO, APA, IPCC and published on the HMIC website. 
 
External Reference Group: 
Review methodology and emerging findings will be tested with an external 
reference group, drawn from the broad spectrum of interested groups. It will 
include representation from Human Rights Groups, the Media, Academics, 
Government Departments and the Police.1
 
 
TIMESCALE 
 
 Interim Report     
June 30th 
 Final report         
September 30th 
                                                 
1 Reference Group Membership will be found on HMIC website when full 
membership has been established.  
 
 
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