Fact check: Does the US have riot police?

1. Summary of the results

Yes, the United States does have riot police. This is most clearly evidenced by the presence of police and National Guard members equipped with riot gear during the 2020 protests, where they employed specific riot control tactics including the use of rubber bullets and tear gas ^[1]. Additional evidence comes from law enforcement responses to major events like the January 6th Capitol riot, where specialized law enforcement units demonstrated riot response capabilities ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question requires important contextual understanding:

• Riot response in the US is not handled by a single dedicated "riot police" force, but rather by multiple law enforcement agencies including:

Capitol Police ^[3]

Metropolitan Police ^[2]

National Guard units ^[1]

• These forces demonstrate riot control capabilities through:

Use of specialized riot gear ^[1]

Tactical response to mass demonstrations ^{[3] [2]}

Employment of crowd control methods like tear gas and rubber bullets ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question's simplicity could lead to misunderstandings about the nature of riot control in the United States:

• Unlike some countries that have dedicated riot police forces, the US employs a more decentralized approach where multiple agencies can be equipped and deployed for riot control
• The term "riot police" might suggest a permanent, specialized force, when in reality regular police officers and National Guard members can be equipped and deployed as needed for riot control ^[1]
• The effectiveness and appropriateness of riot control methods has been subject to public debate, particularly following events like the 2020 protests ^[1] and the January 6th Capitol riot ^{[4] [5]}, where law enforcement responses have been both praised and criticized