Tear gas and rubber bullets against, at the start, peaceful protesters. not okay tools. Neither is encircling groups or overwhelming them with larger numbers.

This way of thinking, looking at it as a war-like situation and vocabulary, is what leads to escalation. On the other hand, neither is a completly off-hands approach. Tough call, right? Funny thing, when white guys with masks, tactical vests and AR-15s stormed official government buildings, e.g. in Minisota, police didn't intervene.

And seriously, hand-to-hand combat? Hope you're not a cop.