Could someone please define “militarization” for me, concretely? I don’t think it means what you think it means.
That’s a thought provoking question. I don’t have time to attempt an answer at the moment. I’ll be back in a few hours.
Hopefully this thread will not have decayed into the usual flame war by then.
It is in the eye of the beholder. I am amazed at these comments. Wow, this country really is unraveling.
I can...Police wearing military combat uniforms routinely in almost every agency all over America now, police agencies given hundreds of military combat vehicles by your government, the use of drones, helicopters, using heavily armed combat units to serve routine warrants, shooting unarmed people and their pets, similar to what happens in brutal war zones and on and on...
Ya been in an isolated cave for the past several decades?
Do you have any idea why there is now growing escalating widespread distrust for law enforcement/government?
??
“Could someone please define “militarization” for me, concretely? I don’t think it means what you think it means.”
Increased use of military quality weapons, Most aren’t proficient in the weapons they have, hence shooting a hostage in LA 10 times. The firepower cops want to have has more to do with how cool it is, than any real need.
tactics, excess aggressiveness is the order of the day any more. SWAT this, SWAT that, toss in flashbangs and don’t care if it harms someone. Smash through a house and not care if it is the wrong one, if the suspects are innocent, or if the confusion will result in people killed because the residents don’t even understand it is cops.
Nor do they seem to care about the mess they leave behind when done. Do you really think you can smash through a house yelling threats of death, and it not have lasting affect even on men? Let alone children?
Attitudes, a demeanor suited to an occupying soldier rather than a civilian law enforcement officer. I never see cops being respectful to anyone, especially if that person doesn’t agree with them. I trade back and forth with one at another site. A total jerk with everyone, and totally arrogant.
Cops are SERVANTS, not masters. Start thinking and acting along those lines.
Appearance. I can’t remember when cops did, and were expected, to cultivate a professional appearance that would be as equally at home or in a professional office. Now? Cops look more appropriate to a SEAL recruitment effort or action flick. Or as bouncers.
I’d never hire the average cop who cultivates this image.
And as you image yourself, so shall you be. When you choose a certain look, that is who you choose to become.
Accountability. We’re reaching levels of unaccountable behavior we don’t even allow soldiers. Dorner hunt screw ups, and not one piglet got charged or even fired? Cop kills kid with a wii controller, only lost her job.
Thin Blue Line. Not exactly military, but it has GOT TO GO. It is their job to police all criminals, even if he has a badge. They don’t need to be able to trust a fellow officer to cover a crime, in order to trust him to watch his back.
We aren’t paying them to watch each other’s back against our just criticisms. We are paying them to watch OUR backs against ALL criminals.
Yet the concept of cops covering for each other has grown massively. Even Officer Harless of Canton and the shooters in the Dorner hunt get massive support.
This behavior is more like what a GANG would do, than a LE agency or even military unit would do.