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Posted on 08/26/2011 10:05:07 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
The front page of last Tuesday's Times-Dispatch carried a startling photo: Richmond police officers taking a suspect into custody. What was startling was the display of force. The officers, accompanied by a robot and decked out in full riot gear with shield and combat helmets, could have been mistaken for American soldiers on patrol in Iraq. Yet they were going up against a single man — and they were not even sure was armed.
Regrettably, this is not a new development. In recent years police forces across the country have become increasingly militarized.
To a small degree, that trend represents a rational response in an arms race against the criminal element's escalating firepower. But more of it has to do with the lavishing of federal Homeland Security funds on local law-enforcement agencies.
(Excerpt) Read more at 2.timesdispatch.com ...
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Here in Columbus, we’ve had six police shootings in six days.
I had proposed at one point a Constitutional amendment guaranteeing every individual the right to unrestricted possession of any weapon or weapon system possessed by any law enforcement agency.
It’s clearly the tactical high ground and not the moral high ground the JBTs are after.
“But more of it has to do with the lavishing of federal Homeland Security funds on local law-enforcement agencies.”
Agree with this, but again they miss the key driver....we are throwing money because we don’t want to profile...we don’t know how to get a good result so we throw money at it and hope for the best.
We are heading towards a reality where we are going to have reduced resources, they better start profiling because the natives are going to fight back as soon as that funding drys up. The hard reality is .. they can focus and maybe irritate a small group or they can piss everyone off and end up standing out in the cold.
Jack Booted Thug ... has to do with a small minority of police officers that believe their roll in the community is to rough up and shake down anyone they perceive as undesirable.
Got some rust on your car, well that might put you in their cross hairs.
Jack Booted Thug
LEO's are more than capable against the occasional lone whackos, probably more so than they need to be. Against a team of fairly trained folks who are reasonably equipped, all that Gucci Rambo gear is useless. A little sniping here, a baited ambush there, and most police departments would unravel fast. This happened in Iraq and Afghanistan, until the police were cowed or replaced by local militiamen.
In America? It's a COIN nightmare scenario. One of the most dangerous weapons that evolved was the cell phone, and I don't mean just as an IED trigger. The ability to do rapid command and control and otherwise communicate instantly was formerly the province of organized militaries. With computers and easy applications for analysis, planning, and assisting, you could raise a very effective force very quickly. Weapons, sure, they're nice. 7.62, applied with the precision that commercial modern technology allows, can defeat a vast amount of expensive LEO infrastructure.
>> I had proposed at one point a Constitutional amendment ...
The 2nd Amendment is sufficient if necessary at all.
Small minority?
Oh, and it's "role."
A "roll" is something you bake and eat at dinner.
Why do so many adults have kindergarten-level writing skills these days?
I agree, which is why the Powers That Be (PTB) have a tested solution. Simply jam the cell signals. In the Bay Area a couple of weeks back, the Transit authorities did just that to prevent flash demonstrations. Imagine what the authorities wil do when the excremnent really hits the fan.
I’m not going to defend the “tactical fever” LEO organizations seem to be suffering from, but the “playing field” isn’t level when you start talking about the big gang organizations in the cities. Yes, civilians can already get NVG, armor, comms etc. The gangs can get heavy weapons, and not just guns; they can and do already pack grenades, bombs, and sometimes rocketry, or can get it quickly. That’s the threat that LE organizations are worried about, and to some extent, the concern is legitimate. However, the proliferation of BDUs and tactical equipment into small-town forces is overdone, and fosters a dangerous mindset in the LEOs who wear it.
What kind of "signal" does that send?
Who else, I ask rhetorically, wears mask to hide their identity?
Terrorists, maybe?
It they are operating within the law, they should not fear the consequences of their actions, any more than the average street cop or detective does, so I ask, what is their excuse or reasoning?
Could it possibly be that they realize if they kick in the wrong door as they are wont to do more often than not and shoot someone's beloved pet, or worse, an innocent reaching for his/her weapon to defend themselves, someone may take umbrage and go (RIGHTFULLY SO) looking for a little "retribution?"
That’s why having backup FRS/GMRS radios is a good idea . . .
But the problem all Leos face no matter if in NYC, Chicago, East LA or ... Smallville, USA -- is that a 'certain segment' of society has NO RESPECT for any laws, any authority, the Police, or society in general. And they'll shoot a Cop for a traffic stop, just as easy as normal folks would swat a fly or stomp on a spider.
So because of 'a few' (million) miscreants, we're all paying the price of potentially facing what equals a Rifle Company over a missed court date for a speeding ticket.
And thus far through 'The Summer of Flash Mobs', the only Pol to speak out on the REAL PROBLEM was the Mayor of Philly. The rest are hiding under their 'politically correct' desk crying, 'mommy mommy what should I do?'.
So IMO the sooner 'we' can fix that 'certain segment' creating 98% of all the problems, the sooner LEOs would be able to 'arm down'.
Disclosure: over my 'many' years I've had a few LEO friends. From Beat Cops & Homicide Detectives, to Undercover Narcs and Suburban PD LTs. Now I listen to the Chi PD radio calls w/ a scanner, and I wouldn't be a Chi Cop for $250K a year. Every time they hit the street they're a target for some maggot (but Granny swears he's an 'Angel').
It should have been. Perhaps it is we who have been insufficient.
I believe it is not legal to buy that stuff. A vest, yes but "body armor" I think is illegal.
JBT = Jack Booted Thug. A gangster with a badge.
Amen. I bought a pair three years ago or so for, 'just in case'.
And IMO have at least one good Military Grade (metal case) Compass.
When it all goes 'kaput', GPS won't be worth squat.
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