Snatch squad

A snatch squad is a police riot control tactic which involves several police officers, usually in protective riot gear, rushing forwards, occasionally in flying wedge formation to break through the front of a crowd, with the objective of snatching one or more individuals from a riot or demonstration they are defending against. The target may be a leader or a speaker, or someone who is displayed to be leading the crowd.

In one British form of the tactic, 3 or 4 officers rush at a group of violent or disorderly people with two of the officers carrying batons and the others a shield. The officer with the shield rushed the most violent in the group and forces the subject between the shield and a fixed object, while the other officers either arrest the others and escort them out of the crowds.

Images

 * Police snatch squad who have grabbed a photographer and dragged him over the railings, Seattle, 20 June 2002
 * German police snatch squad ready for action (6th image on page)

Other uses

 * This link uses "snatch squad" to mean a remote-country rescue squad.
 * This link uses "snatch squad" to mean an animal rescue squad.