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Video by Capt. Douglas Halleaux

Michigan Military Police Train with Latvian Riot Squad

Michigan National Guard

Oct. 4, 2014 | 1:45

Riot Control
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"We were doing a riot control exercise. We got some information that there was a large mob gathered around the main gate of the camp, and we received some orders to clear them out. Basically, we sent our patrol consisting of two military policemen, they were talking with the mob, and basically the situation escalated and we needed to step in, so we sent the riot control unit in full gear as you can see here. Basically, we pushed the mob out of the gate, outside the boundaries of the camp. Our team leader, who’s the platoon leader, he engaged in conversation with the rioters, but it was unsuccessful, and the mob attacked us. We managed to pull in one of the protesters and restrain him, and he was sent for questioning with the provost marshal."
"I’m a section commander, so I’m responsible for my sector of riot control unit. I’m responsible for nine men, and I’m correcting the line- the shield line. When we’re advancing or retreating, we need to keep it steady in one line, so this is my duties. We have a catch team consisting of four people. Their role is when the line opens, they go out and pull some rioters in and apprehend them. So I need to manage also the catch team, when they are going to the protesters and restraining them."
"It was a very good experience."
"This is a wonderful opportunity us to to train together as a platoon."
"I had fun, working with fellow NATO countries, so it’s a great experience for me, especially"

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"Today has been a riot demonstration outside the main gate of the LSA that required the military police to send their riot platoon in full gear to ascertain what the riot was about and ensure the safety of the installation."
"They did a great job. They arrived, they assessed that there as a group of displaced civilians that needed food and water and that they were rioting and they knew there was food and water on the installation and they were attempting to get on in order to get some of that food and water and the military police were able to back them up out of the gate and around the corner and ideally calm them down."
"My role today is- we went through troop leading procedures and rehearsals prior to the riot control and afterwards we participated in the hot wash After Action Review and go through all those steps and make sure that all of the processes from the notification when they’re given the order through completion and when they can reconsolidate at the end of the mission."
"Well, they’re basically the same. They have some different terminology."
"I think every time we get a chance to work together as partners we learn things from them and they learn things from us, and at the end of the day we’re both stronger countries for it."

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Military Police from Latvia working with Michigan Army National Guard observers and evaluators conducted a riot control exercise as part of Operation Silver Arrow that brought a group Soldiers from the Michigan’s National Guard to Latvia this week. Silver Arrow is a multinational, Latvian-led training exercise operated in conjunction with United States Army Europe and Operation Atlantic Resolve. Sergeant Major Edward Williams is one of Michigan’s Military Police Solders on-hand to observe the action and help evaluate performance.
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"Today has been a riot demonstration outside the main gate of the LSA that required the military police to send their riot platoon in full gear to ascertain what the riot was about and ensure the safety of the installation."
The *rioters*- Latvian soldiers dressed up for the role- assembled at the gate where Latvian, Norwegian, British, Estonian, and U.S. troops are housed. The group was quiet at first, but soon grew both in numbers and intensity. Soon the riot team was called, and the rioters were quickly pushed out of the installation’s main gate. All throughout, the MPs’ every step was carefully watched, ensuring riot control procedures were followed.
The activities were only a part of the larger state partnership program bringing Michigan and Latvian soldiers together.
Silver Arrow ends October fifth, after which Michigan’s soldiers will prepare to return home.