Policing political protest when politics go global: comparing public order policing in Canada and Bolivia
Article Type: Perspectives on policing From: Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, Volume 32, Issue 1
J. Sheptycki,Policing and Society,2005,Vol. 15,pp. 327-352
Policing political protest when politics go global compares the political protest events that occurred in Bolivia and Canada. The article reviews the different tactics used by the police in order to assure public order. The policing of anti-globalization protests as reviewed in the article are not simply a matter of national policing styles, but is also affected by international influences
In 2003, the Bolivian government was overcome after months of rioting and disorder. There were four factors that led to the protests. First the US demanded that the Bolivian government eradicate tens of thousands of hectares of coco. This resulted in a great deal of lost income for peasant farmers. Second,was the economic hardship produced by the International Monetary Fund austerity measures backed by the US. Third, there was a plan to privatize water (which caused rates to rise more than 20 percent of the annual household income for the average Bolivian peasant). Fourth, the Bolivians announced they would tap into and export a great amount of its natural gas supply to the US at cut-rate prices. A further element that contributed was the American sponsored militarization of the policing system in Bolivia
The Bolivian economy was facing economic hardships, which included unemployment and tax increases. Thousands of individuals upset from the governments decisions protested for the resignation of the president. The tax cuts also led to police strikes and a lack of order. This resulted in the military taking the role of the police. The police officers joined the protestors many of them using government supplies of tear gas on the military personnel. The most visible police agency not striking was the Rural Area Police Patrol Unit, whose funding comes directly from the US.
The president eager to end protests suspended the tax increases. The Bolivian government publicized the protestors as terrorist attempting to instill fear throughout the nation. The protestors were handled with military forces as the majority of the police were striking. The death toll from the protests was estimated at 33. The media placed the blame on the US, who supplied the Bolivian government with ammunition, food and other supplies. The US also provided advisors for the Bolivian government to assist with conflict resolution
The policing methods of the Canadians were much different from those seen in Bolivia. Two political events where protests occurred were analyzed in the article. The first event was the APEC summit, where protesting as a Canadian right was allowed. The Canadian government made it very clear that all citizens had a right to protest, however it would not be allowed in the sight of the visiting dignitaries. On the day of the APEC summit the police task was to conceal the protestors no matter what means it took, even if undemocratic. The Canadians denied their right to protest and be heard.
The second international event was the meeting of the G8. There was once again fear of protests, and this time the Canadian police mounted the largest peacetime security operation in the country’s history. The citizens’rights to be heard was also denied on this occasion, at least according to the protestors. The government allowed protests as long as it took place 70 miles away in a neighboring city.
The violence and type of protests in Canada and Bolivia revealed polar differences, but what is similar was that both countries were influenced by transnational pressures. In Bolivia the US had its hand in the pocket of their government, while the events that took place in Canada were concerned with International Affairs and therefore peace was a must. In Bolivia its ruling elites mix personal corruption and autarchy while remaining committed to the global agenda of drug prohibition. The use of violence is widespread and understood in Bolivia, however in Canada violence is considered unacceptable. The policing tactics used in Bolivia are largely ineffectual, often corrupt and even brutal. Canada on the other hand has a commitment to community policing and maintaining public order, their criminal justice system is widely efficient,effective, lacking of corruption and seen as a legitimate.
The study reveals similarities found in the other articles. Policing is a reflection of the country in which it takes place. In the underdeveloped countries that have been examined in the three articles a weak policing system is found throughout. This can be an important lesson to US policing as we spend a great amount of time and resources on assistance to other nations.
Joy ChambersUniversity of Missouri-Kansas City, Missouri, USA
