The Madison Police Department (MPD) has multiple specialized teams. One of those teams is the Special Events Team (SET). I was a member of SET for 18 years.
Members of the team have specialized training in crowd management and crowd control techniques to respond to a variety of events.
From the MPD website, here is the philosophy and principles of the team for managing crowds:
● protect the rights of people to peacefully assemble, to consult for the common good, and to petition the government or any department thereof;
● to the degree that it can be done safely, it is preferred that crowd participants self-regulate and manage their own events;
● establish communication with the event organizers whenever possible to create mutual understanding, generate cooperation and compliance, and to prevent disorder;
● obligated to protect community members’ rights while maintaining order, protecting property, and ensuring safety, peace, and order.
