AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – It looked like a mob scene on the Oakland Community College Auburn Hills campus, and it was supposed to.
The Oakland County Law Enforcement Tactical Response Coordinating Group (OakTAC) joined with several Detroit-area police departments in a training exercise in crowd control.
The scenario was a large sports crowd becoming unruly after a game. Police wearing special protective gear gave a command to disperse, but many fans tossed items at officers and challenged them. As part of the training, police used flash and smoke grenades to disorient the crowd.
Arrests were made without anyone being injured. All of it was simulated, but the setting was realistic.
Police consider this kind of training as essential for performing their duties when cases arise.
The gear, transportation and training were all funded by federal grants.