JOINT REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE CENTER SNAPSHOT OFFICIAL USE ONLY NATIONWIDE PROTESTS OVER GEORGE FLOYD DEATH PROMPT OFFICER SAFETY CONCERNS The 25 May death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the subsequent video circulating on social media depicting a White police of?cer kneeling on Floyd?s neck on the ground while Floyd stated he couldn?t breathe, has sparked nationwide protests this week, with some turning confrontational and leading to looting, arson, and riots, and calls for violence against law enforcement of?cers for perceived police brutality. All four Minneapolis police of?cers involved in the 25 May incident have been ?red from the Minneapolis Police Department amid calls from the public for the of?cers to face criminal charges. On 29 May, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension arrested former Minneapolis Police Of?cer Derek Chauvin, who was seen in video with his knee on Floyd prior to his death. In light of the recent nationwide demonstrations and the potential for violent confrontations between demonstrators and police, the JRIC assesses a heighted threat environment and is providing the following of?cer safety considerations. Nationwide Perspective and Calls for Violence Against Law Enforcement Of?cers Since 25 May, demonstrations demanding justice for Floyd have occurred in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, the epicenter of violence, Phoenix, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Louisville, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; and Columbus, Ohio. Ongoing calls for violence against law enforcement of?cers persist amid claims of perceived police brutality and excessive use of force. On the evening of 28 May, the Minneapolis Police Department evacuated staff from its 3rd Police Precinct after violent protesters forcibly entered and ignited several fires. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated 500 National Guard troops to St. Paul, Minneapolis, and the surrounding communities to preserve property and maintain social order. Tactics at Protests When Violence is Pre-planned Black Bloc Tactics have been increasingly used in the United States since mid-2016 and are characterized by collective, frequently violent action. Familiarity with these tactics may improve the safety posture of law enforcement and ?rst responder personnel. These tactics consist of: 0 Pre-staging equipment and weapons near protest sites, extensive reconnaissance, and doxing (public release of private, identifying information about opponents 0 Homemade, improvised incendiary devices concealed in backpacks 0 Household tools and chemicals, such as hammers and Chisels, spray paint and balloons filled with paint, bear or pepper spray 0 Opportunistic use of on-site materials, such as pavement, bricks, street furniture, garbage cans, and barricades 0 Use of scouts, spotters, social media, and apps to communicate and direct ground movement for violent acts 0 Use of area denial, reserves, and group tactics to split and regroup to circumvent law enforcement crowd control and dispersal tactics 0 Plans to in?ltrate peaceful, legally permitted events or stage counter- demonstrations . Use of police scanners to stay informed of law enforcement communications and tactics during events Local Impact and Of?cer Safety Considerations Past protests in the JRIC AOR have led to some demonstrators attempting to enter or block freeways to disrupt traf?c ?ow or conduct spontaneous acts of violence. On 27 May, peaceful demonstrations transpired into violence in Downtown Los Angeles, with protesters blocking streets and freeways, shattering the windows of two CHP cruisers, tagging graf?ti onto the LAPD headquarters building, and burning an American ?ag. Of?cers should be guided by their agency's policies for responding to violent protests. Points to consider include: 0 Familiarity with surroundings, protest site 0 Concealment of suspicious items that could be used as weapons 0 Attempts to obtain or counterfeit event credentials and vehicle placards 0 Attempts to obtain security plans 0 Attempts to gain employment among staff 0 Use of social media to denounce police response 0 Check your personal and work vehicles for possible tampering (U) Published 29 May 2020. To request brie?ngs, or submit questions/comments, please contact the JRIC at jric@jric.orgor (562) 345-1100. Receiv'ng agencies are cautioned not to take actions based solely on this reporting. The information, graphics, or photographs in this document may be drawn from open-source reporting, ?nished intelligence products, or raw reporting This document is Unclassi?ed/lFor Of?cial Use Only.