On the expenditure of changing the principles of public order protection by the Ukrainian police during mass events: the experience of European states

Abstract

The article attempts to substantiate the expediency of changing the principles and methods of protection of public order by the police of Ukraine during mass events on the basis of European experience. The activities of the police to ensure public safety are considered in line with the application of three main practices (models): a) classical; b) an improved model of crowd behavior; c) models of «good practice». A detailed review of the models allowed us to trace the evolution of approaches to policing to ensure public order and security. The paper analyzes the research of scientists who have studied the «psychology of the crowd», analyzes the experience of the police of European countries during mass events and riots. The necessity of changes in the principles of work of the National Police of Ukraine on protection of public order has been determined. The concept of public safety and policing should be based on four key principles: 1) knowledge – possession of verified information about different groups of participants, their in-tentions, purpose, values and means of achieving the goal, as well as information about persons who may be considered as a source of risk; 2) assistance – a strategy of the police, aimed primarily at assisting the organizers and participants of the peaceful assembly in achieving their legal goal in a lawful manner; 3) communication – communication between the police and the organizers and participants of the peaceful assembly at all stages of its preparation and conduct to prevent conflicts, as well as the occurrence of possible offenses; 4) differentiation – consideration of participants in a peaceful assembly not as a crowd, but as a set of individuals who may have different views, objectives, goals and ways to achieve them.