The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is behind a new public safety initiative for Washington County, a Mobile Field Force.

Washington County Sheriff Marty Schulteis says multiple departments are involved.

"It's Washington County's first multi - jurisdictional crowd management unit. It's designed to bring it together, train personnel from the sheriff's office, and local police departments from across the county to respond quickly to both planned and unplanned events involving large crowds."

It’s also designed to protect both public safety and First Amendment rights.

Sheriff Schulteis told WTKM that over the last few years, law enforcement nationwide has witnessed how quickly crowd situations can evolve. Events that begin peacefully, can change rapidly.

The Mobile Field Force of Washington County is about preparation, professionalism and restraint—helping ensure that when people gather in Washington County, they can do so safely and lawfully.