A baton charge is a controversial police tactic used to disperse rioting crowds, where officers advance together and strike batons against any person in their path. Due to its violent nature, there are various synonym terms used to describe this maneuver. Some of the common synonyms include a charge, a police assault, a police charge, a riot charge, a mob charge, and a police baton charge. The term is also used interchangeably with terms like blitz or swoop, highlighting the suddenness and severity of the tactic. Whatever the term used, the baton charge remains a polarizing issue, with some calling it a necessary evil, while others claim it is a fundamentally flawed and dangerous practice.