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SITUATION:

Your platoon is tasked to patrol an assigned area of the city at night. The intent is to show a night capability and a professional presence. Some of the street lights are operational in your AO.

EVENT(S):

1. The patrol approaches a police compound and startles a guard who lowers his weapon and points it at your patrol.

2. Shots are fired in the vicinity of your patrol, but not at your patrol.

3. A small group of individuals are following your patrol.

4. A woman comes screaming out of a house; a man is chasing her with a machete.

5. A crowd of intoxicated civilians are discharging fire arms. Several local residents ask for your assistance.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

EVENT(S):

1. Seek cover, bring the linguist forward and talk the guard down. There is very little movement at night in Haiti; normally, the police are very jumpy. Note: Activity in Haiti (specifically Port-au-Prince) is minimal after 2100. Historically, activities of any persons or organizations after the hours of darkness have been suspect. MNF patrols during the 2100-0600 time window will face a new set of conditions not experienced during the day. The crowds that were prevalent during the day are no longer present. However, small groups of individuals will be present. These groups of people who follow MNF patrols at night should be watched carefully. They demand a different mind set when confronted. Haitian police forces are accustomed to shoot first and ask questions later at night. In this example; the platoon leader would have been well within the ROE to use deadly force when this Haitian police officer lowered his weapon. However, the platoon leader's understanding of the peculiarities of night operations in Haiti afforded him the opportunity to defuse the situation without loss of life. In reality, the Haitian police officer did not display hostile intent; he was concerned for his personal safety.

2. Seek cover. Report. Stop look and listen. Respond if higher HQ directs. Commander should report, and battalion should inform the MP.

3. Stop, return to their location (with a security team) with the linguist and have the group disperse.

4. Detain the women, and attempt to have the linguist calm the man. Your presence should be enough to stop the "aggravated assault." However, use of deadly force is authorized in this situation.

5. Report, cordon the area and await the arrival of the MP. Use of deadly force is not authorized during this event unless the populace display a hostile intent. Hostile intent is defined as pointing a weapon at an individual(s); holding hostages; discharging a weapon; striking an individual(s) with a weapon and threatening to use the weapon or evidence of recent use of a weapon. If the crowd is injuring people, then necessary actions may be taken to establish civic order.

ROE Limitations and Restrictions:

ROE 6: Necessary and proportional force is authorized to control disturbances and disperse crowds threatening essential civic order.

ROE 7: Persons observed committing serious criminal acts will be detained using minimal force necessary up to and including deadly force. Serious criminal acts include homicide, aggravated assault, rape, arson and robbery.