At a protest, if you have a peaceful crowd, what is your best course of action?

Monitoring a peaceful crowd during a protest is the most effective approach as it allows law enforcement to maintain a presence without escalating tensions or infringing on the rights of individuals to peacefully assemble. By observing the situation, officers can evaluate the dynamics of the crowd, assess any potential risks, and respond appropriately if the situation changes. This proactive stance ensures that officers are informed and prepared while also respecting the rights of the participants.

Other options may not be as effective; making the crowd disperse could provoke unrest or lead to resistance, while arresting a potential leader before any escalation may heighten tensions unnecessarily. Ignoring the crowd could create a vacuum that risky situations may fill and could lead to misunderstandings or incidents requiring a response later. Monitoring strikes a balance between oversight and respect for the participants' rights.