Riot practice sharpens officers for ‘what if?’

An ROTC volunteer covers up as he is subdued by squad members.

Lines of law officers fire beanbags, rubber bullets and pellets of pepper in retaliatory strikes against a mob of angry students railing against authority.

As the two crowds converge, a canister of gas is let off, smoking up an alleyway and sending the rioters running off in disarray.

Full disclosure: this was not an actual clash between law enforcement and protestors, it was, in fact, the annual training session for the regional riot squad.

Law officers from Whitman, Latah and Nez Perce counties, along with the cities of Pullman,...