The National Guard announced yesterday that it has designated military police units in two states, Alabama and Arizona, as rapid reaction forces that any state can call for assistance in response to potential civil unrest. According to the Guard, about 600 troops, 300 from each state, will be ready to deploy within 24 hours if requested by a governor in another state. Guard leaders say that the two units have been provided with special equipment and increased training on proper procedures in dealing with protests.
Military reviews of the response to the protests earlier this year found problems with coordination between various state and federal government and law enforcement agencies — which at times slowed down troop movements. “Coordination and communication were probably the things that we’ll look back on and see very challenging,” Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said in an interview with The Associated Press. He said that as the protests escalated in Washington, D.C., and the call for help went out to governors around the country, 11 states said they were willing to provide support. “But the problem with that is how quickly can you marshal them together, ensure they have the appropriate training, ensure they have the appropriate equipment, understand the task you’re going to give them?” said McCarthy. “It’s American streets. It could turn violent. It was an incredibly challenging thing.”
