kettling

[ ket-ling, ket-l-ing ]

1. a crowd control technique, in which a line of police officers encircles demonstrators and confines them in a contained area known as a kettle:

   Coverage of the protests has focused on the controversial use of kettling.

Word History and Origins

Origin of kettling¹

First recorded in 2005–10; kettle ( def ) + -ing ¹( def )

Example Sentences

It creates a tiered system of protest response that prioritizes deescalation, while banning the NYPD’s practice of kettling, a controversial tactic that involves trapping and arresting large groups of demonstrators.

From Washington Times

It would end the NYPD’s practice of trapping and arresting large groups of demonstrators, a controversial tactic known as kettling.

From Seattle Times

In March, New York City agreed to pay $6 million, or $21,500 each, to about 300 protesters who were corralled by officers during the June 4 Mott Haven protest using a tactic known as kettling.

From Washington Times

During some of the 2020 protest marches, officers deployed a crowd control tactic known as kettling against peaceful protesters, corralling them in tight spaces and attacking them with batons and pepper spray before making mass arrests.

From Seattle Times

Oftentimes the police will use the bike racks to hem in protesters further, a process called kettling, which makes that cramped feeling even more extreme.

From Slate