DURHAM COUNTER-PROTEST

AUGUST 18, 2017

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

AFTER ACTION REPORT
CHIEF C.J. DAVIS
 Summary of the Incident

On 08/17/17, information from an unk source received

that the Sons of Confederate Veterans were planning a
demonstration in Durham @ the County Courthouse
the following day, 8/18 at approximately 12-Noon.

On 08/18/17, at 7:45AM, during a joint law enforcement

call meeting agencies attempted to verify the credibility
of the alleged planned rally. In preparation for a
possible event, the county activated the Emergency
Operation Center (EOC) - DCSO also activated a
Unified Command center.
Summary Cont.
At 10:00 AM, Durham County & City Management ,
including the Chief of Police, County Sheriff, met to
discuss possible counter protest activity due to the
high volume of social media response

Discussed a viable plan of action, and a coordinated

emergency response if needed.
County Officials decided to close county facilities
before noon

DPD began to stand up Incident Command at DPD

Headquarters Joint Operations Center (JOC)
PIOs began communicating the No Permit message
to local media
 Participating Departments
City of Durham
Durham Police Department
City of Durham Management
City of Durham Fire Dept.
City of Durham Communications
(911)
Local& State Agencies
Durham County Sheriffs Office
Durham County management
Durham County Emergency
Mgmt.
N.C. State Highway Patrol
Duke University
North Carolina Central
University
Operational Details
Duration: 11 Hours
Start: 0900 End: 2000
Staffing: 115 Sworn Personnel Dedicated
Focus: Law Enforcement Prevention &
Response
Activity: Counter Protest/Demonstration
Location: Durham County Courthouse
Durham County Jail
Durham Police Headquarters
In the Beginning
Summary Cont.

11:45 - People carrying signs/banners began

arriving at the courthouse.

12:30 -Group leaders speak on megaphones -

crowd chants, drummers, dancers on Main St.
Crowd is mostly peaceful and celebratory

Street is blocked off by DCSO & DPD marked

cars

1:30 estimated approximately 300-400 ppl.

1:40 - Protestors began showing up with weapons
Summary Cont.
3:00 dirt bikes & 4-wheelers present (agitates crowd)

4:00 crowd gets re-energized and begins to impede

traffic at Roxboro & Main Streets closed off again

4:30 water bottles being thrown at motorists, and

protestors moved their POV in intersection to block
street at Roxboro & Pettigrew -Wrecker Company
called to move vehicles

5:10 - Protestor with Megaphone directs crowd to move

towards County Jail 75 to100 moves to intersection at
Jail - Protestors in orange vests block intersection by
joining hands in a linear formation
Summary Cont.
At least 4 in crowd at Jail w/ open carry weapons
Splinter of crowd (75-100) moves toward Main St.
west past DATA terminal

5:45 - Crowd reaches Duke @ Jackson and blocks

rush hour traffic headed north on Duke.

6:00 - MFF Commander is directed to give crowd 3

separate warnings to disperse out of the street -
Command is given and most protestors clear street
moving to the sidewalk on Duke

6:10 - One man refused to disperse and

subsequently arrested by DPD officer
Summary Cont.

6:30 Group of 75-100 remain at Willard &

Jackson chanting & speaking to media on
sidewalk/grass

6:55 Arrestee transported to DC Jail

7:30 DPD personnel surveyed downtown

area to confirm protest activity has ceased

7:45 - Staff began stand-down operation

 Financial Impact
The Durham Police Department has received
overtime reports for the August 18, 2017 protest
totaling:
489.5 Hours (Sworn)

$19,805.16 costs for overtime only

$ 4,139.28 associated benefit costs

$23,944.44 Total Overtime

Misc. Additional Expense:

Van Rentals (4) $825.48

Pizza $287.71
Water $40.82
Other Food $39.32

TOTAL $1,193.33

DPD TOTAL EXPENSE: 25,137.77

SWOT Analysis
Strengths /Opportunities
Quick operational planning @
short notice
Multi-Agency Support City,
State & County (Operational)
Command Staff demonstrated
good leadership (ICS)
Officers/Supervisors
professionalism & discipline
Joint Training w/ City & County
TTX /FSX
DPD managed routine calls for
service & other traffic issues
Weaknesses/Threats
No control over ambiguous
communication
Lack of Real-Time video at critical
locations
Incident Command Structure
(NIMs Compliant)
Armed protestors emotional
climate
Persons with nefarious intent
mingling with peaceful protestors
Logistical plan for equipment
needs, i.e. food, water, additional
Training w/ other agencies
 THANK YOU

Q&A