The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has always maintained a crowd control team. In 2004 the team was restructured into what is now called the Public Order Unit (POU).

The POU is responsible for crowd management at large public gatherings. Their main priority is to ensure public safety.

The POU is the largest specialized unit within the RNC, consisting of over 40 officers including commanders. All members of the POU assume this role as a secondary duty and are situated within the RNC Northeast Avalon jurisdiction. All POU members are trained in a week long Basic Tactical Course and also complete 40 hours of additional training annually in St. John’s, NL. Training includes how to interact with different types of crowds and how to diffuse volatile situations.

Members of the POU provide public safety services at events such as concerts, demonstrations and labour disputes.