What is the primary purpose of the Diagonal/Echelon formation?

The primary purpose of the Diagonal/Echelon formation is aimed at effectively managing a crowd by clearly creating pathways or barriers. This particular formation allows law enforcement to engage with individuals or groups and facilitate movement away from specific locations, thereby clearing or diverting a crowd. The arrangement of officers in this formation can help control the flow of individuals while ensuring that the officers are positioned to respond swiftly to any sudden changes in crowd behavior.

This method is crucial in situations where officers need to guide a crowd safely away from an area of concern, such as a potential threat or a designated no-go zone. The formation's unique positioning helps establish a visual and physical presence, making it easier to manage crowd dynamics and reduce the chances of escalation.

While the other options serve important functions, they do not encapsulate the main strategic intention of the Diagonal/Echelon formation as effectively as clear or diverting a group from specific locations. For instance, while providing all-around security is crucial, it is a broader objective that is not specific to the Diagonal/Echelon formation. Similarly, splitting a crowd or holding them back from access points might be tactical considerations, but they do not define the fundamental purpose of this formation.