Police In Oakland Used Tactics That Aren’t Permitted In War Zones

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/11/01/police-in-oakland-used-tactics-that-arent-permitted-in-war-zones/

November 1, 2011
By Stephen D. Foster Jr.

A week ago, police fired rubber bullets, bean bags, and canisters into the crowd of protesters in Oakland. Their brutality almost cost Marine veteran Scott Olsen his life. And it turns out, the police used tactics that aren’t even allowed to be used in war zones.

A former Marine with special operations in crowd control says that what the police did in Oakland last week is something that the armed forces prohibits, especially when the crowd is peaceful and non-threatening. According to this Marine,”Before gas goes into a crowd, shield bearers have to be making no progress moving a crowd or the crowd must be assaulting the line. Not with sticks and stones but a no bullshit assault. 3 warnings must be given to the crowd in a manner they can hear that force is about to be used. Shield bearers take a knee and CS gas is released in grenade form first to fog out your lines because you have gas masks. You then kick the canisters along in front of your lines. Projectile gas is not used except for longer ranged engagement or trying to steer the crowd ( by steering a crowd I mean firing gas to block a street off ). You also have shotguns with beanbags and various less than lethal rounds for your launchers. These are the rules for a WARZONE!!

How did a cop who is supposed to have training on his weapon system accidentally SHOOT someone in the head with a 40mm gas canister? Simple. He was aiming at him.

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Additionally, the official military manual backs up these statements and also says that those who are trying to help the injured are defined as non-combatants and are not to be fired upon because they pose no threat. While people were trying to help Scott Olsen, a police officer threw a flashbang into the group, which would be a direction violation of the rules of engagement.

Here’s what the US Military manual says.

“Sailors and Marines have a duty to collect and care for the wounded. Prioritize treatment according to injuries. Make NO treatment distinction based on nationality. All soldiers, enemy or friendly, must be treated the same.”

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tags: Occupy Wall Street, OWS, Occupy Oakland, police brutality
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