AMOK – The Most Complex Threat to Hybrid Public Places

Abstract

This paper analyzes and questions the specificities of police tactics in so-called AMOK situations (a state of uncontrollable rage or violence, often associated with senseless destruction or attacks) characterized by extreme violence perpetrated by an individual or group who randomly and uncontrollably endanger the lives and safety of people in selected hybrid (quasi) public spaces. Given their extremely negative implications for citizen, public, and national security, AMOK incidents demand special attention and require police and other security services to engage in systematic monitoring and protocol-based crisis response. These crisis events are sudden and difficult to predict, involving the lethal use of firearms or cold weapons, but recently also various motor vehicles, leading to mass casualties and serious threats to public facilities and spaces In examining the adequacy of response and police tactics in resolving these situations, the crucial variable is the attackers – perpetrators, who typically exhibit psychological difficulties, a sense of social isolation, and motivations related to revenge or personal frustrations, regardless of their social status. At the same time, in certain overlapping aspects of AMOK situations, the attackers may possess a radical ideology that leads toward terrorism. Victims are mostly within hybrid public spaces—students, bystanders, employees, or visitors—where targets may be selected or entirely random. AMOK incidents typically follow several stages: preparatory, execution, intervention, attacker neutralization, and post-crisis. It is important to emphasize that a swift response by potential victims through the "RUN, FIGHT OR HIDE" protocol, along with effective evacuation, is crucial until police arrive. Accordingly, this analysis, in addition to its conceptual and theoretical foundation, includes a case study of ten selected typical AMOK events. The cases are examined using a specially designed methodological model—a matrix of 10–11 variables—through which the patterns and specificities of these events are discussed. In line with the research objective, patterns in the analyzed incidents and responses are identified, and the effectiveness of applied police tactics is assessed, with a view to validating and implementing best practices. The results of the statistical operations confirm a statistically significant correlation between the "speed of police intervention and duration of the attack" (χ²(2) = 9, p = 0.011). In addition to more effectively resolving crisis situations, the research results may also plausibly be applied to the development of preventive tactical measures aimed at enhancing public safety and preventing such events or reducing their harmful consequences.