In existence since 1999, the Civil Disturbance Unit (CDU) is a group of officers specifically trained to handle large-scale protests or acts of disorderly behavior.
Training
CDU training consists of much more than the use of gas masks and pepper spray. Officers also study:
- Crowd dynamics
- Damage control
- First Amendment protections
- First-aid/CPR
- Intelligence gathering
- Protestor tactics
- VIP protection and many other related topics
All are necessary to protect the interests of property owners, protestors, and the intended targets of their message.