Police were instructed to refrain from mass arrests before the US campus protests occurred.

The recent wave of protests at U.S. universities has sparked a heated debate over the police response, with experts warning that outdated tactics may be exacerbating tensions rather than quelling unrest.

In the past three weeks, police have made mass arrests at campuses across the country, including Columbia University, City College of New York, UCLA, and others. The arrests have been met with criticism from criminologists who argue that the approach to handling large demonstrations needs to be reevaluated.

According to a report by Reuters, at least 2,600 demonstrators have been detained at over 100 protests in 39 states and Washington, D.C. The charges range from trespassing to assault of a police officer, with some cases being dismissed due to a lack of probable cause.

Experts in criminology and policing stress the importance of high-quality arrests over a large number of low-quality arrests. They caution that broad, general statements used by police to arrest large numbers of suspects can lead to the wrongful detention of bystanders or individuals charged with minor offenses.

Furthermore, the use of force during protests can escalate tensions and generate animosity towards law enforcement, fueling more intense demonstrations. The events at Columbia University, where police were called in to dismantle a student encampment, have been cited as a catalyst for the increasingly contentious protests on campuses nationwide.

As the debate over police tactics continues, experts are calling for a reevaluation of how law enforcement engages with protesters, emphasizing the importance of communication, trust-building, and the use of force only when necessary. The events at U.S. universities serve as a stark reminder of the need for a more thoughtful and strategic approach to handling large demonstrations.