MSU Crowd Riot Control Training

To be prepared to face any challenges, MSU members along with their routine duties conduct rehearsals at least twice a week. The Crowd and Riot Control (CRC) training commenced on 27 October 2009 in the MSU camp while another Carabinieri team conducted escort activity.

The CRC platoon totaling 21 troops led by its leader, 1st Lieutenant Meo Camillo Giovanni, will train in all kind of actions to accomplish in reality, what may happen in case of a riot. First, Carabinieri equipped with protective helmets, shields, and other CRC gear to form battle formation to oppose hardliners. Following clear Commander’s guidance, platoon members carried out movement in formation, shouting “Ammassamento” (in Italian “Clumping”).  The first two lines of formation consisted of fighters. The third one designed for making manoeuvre, rescue, replacement of injured, launching tear gas, smoke grenades against rioters, and destroying barricades. 

On the second phase of rehearsal, MSU platoon embarked to the tactical vehicles and moved to the hot place. Getting off vehicles, Carabinieri created CRC formation, trained to defend against the possibility of throwing stones and bottles, capturing and securing the culprit, and evacuation of injured person from the first line. At the end of event, CRC Instructor OR-9 Christian Cassano set fire on himself to demonstrate Carabinieri methods of extinguishing flame in case of being attacked by throwing of Molotov’s cocktails.   

During his visit to the MSU camp, Kosovo Force Commander, Lieutenant General Markus Bentler, underlined the important results obtained by MSU contingent. He appreciated the support guaranteed by MSU Carabinieri in favor of Kosovo Police Service, particularly in the Scientific Investigation branch and Public Order branch. MSU is doing many different activities aimed to achieve a growing cooperation with the Institutions in Kosovo and people of Kosovo.      

Story and photos by Lieutenant Colonel Vadym Tymoshenko, Ukrainian Army