Right, and I don't think that that decision is fair game for cities to make. That's basically our fundamental disagreement. The Constitution doesn't apply here because we're talking about items that belong to the federal government, so they can choose whether or not to allow them to local police forces. This isn't the federal government altering state laws or any other "sovereignty" issue.
Well go right on up to LA and tell the l Chief how you will volunteer to show the nation how to get it done, set the style. We will all watch to see how you do.
What ever happened to those beanbag shot guns the police were using? I think those are better than tazers.
It is now because Surplus is a plethora a things and I don't think you object to parkas. I don't exactly know what the hell you object to but I know we aren't talking about M2s, I might agree at that point.
The weapons that are being provided to the police were not commissioned, designed, or paid for with Federal dollars so they could be used against the people of this country. It is completely within the realm of control for the Feds to decide if military surplus will be (essentially) given to the local law enforcement for next to nothing. If the local PD wants to pay their own money to design and build armored vehicles, and they can find the room in their budget, and the local voters are okay with it, so be it. Otherwise, keep my federally funded weapons of war out of the hands of the people who are supposed to be protecting me. This hardware is being given to the local LE without any concession by the voters. In most cases it is done without the knowledge of the voters. We don't vote on whether we want cops to have military grade weaponry. The military are the military. The police are the police. They are two completely separate groups with two completely different missions. If we have gotten to a point socially where our law enforcement need military grade vehicles, weapons, and body armor, then maybe it's time to take a closer look at our country. Cops regularly wear plate carriers on a regular patrol session. PLATE CARRIERS. There's no fucking reason for a police officer to wear body armor designed for the military. If they want to wear kevlar, so be it, but plate carriers? I don't think so. I'm not even talking about in a riot scenario. I'm talking about in their patrol car on a every-day beat. It's completely uncalled for.
I think they found out when you get one that shoots hard enough to knock a man down you might well kill him anyway. Then they were use too frivolously too often resulting in bad results.
Holy Mackerel! I can not believe the people in this forum that want the cops to go out a face a mob burning down the fucking town bare chested with a bad ass look. Not a fucking one of you willing to lead from the front.
Don't take the job. It's that simple. Don't take the job if you don't think you can do it. Shooting unarmed civilians is not okay. This is not a war zone. The ROE is different. They are being paid fairly well to put themselves in harms way. Firefighters don't carry guns. EMT's don't carry guns. They're getting paid for a hazardous job. They either accept that and do the job, or they don't and they can find something else to do with their lives. I get that you have cops in your family, but quite frankly I don't give a shit. They are hired to protect the people, not kill them.
You are fundamental in error. They are not hired to protect people, there are hired to enforce the law, with enforcement meaning by force if required. They are not there to risk it all and we sure as hell don't pay them enough for the risk you would fail to take yourself. But I will keep in mind that you do not give a shit.
I'm going to have to disagree with that statement. The crime in England is terrible, which is a country where the police don't have guns. And in the end, when something like what's happened happens in England, their military come in without prejudice and fucks people up. Just ask the Irish
The Bandon Police Department is responsible for: * Protecting the safety and welfare of the citizens of Bandon, thus enhancing their lives. http://www.bandon.com/webfront/directory/merchantdetails.php?merchantid=748
Who said anything about taking away their guns? I'm talking about wearing plate carriers and carrying assault rifles on an every day patrol. I'm not even talking about riots. The ROE needs to change with our police. They are shooting too many unarmed people. It's that simple.
I'm talking about military vehicles and weapons, as I've said a few times. Military surpluses of parkas and coffee are fine to disburse.
The hell they're not. Why even call them when someone breaks into your house? It is exactly your way of thinking that is driving this militaristic approach by law enforcement. We are not the enemy. This is not Iraq, and though many cops are former military, they need to put away that thought process and start thinking of the people here as their fucking employers. They are commissioned by the people to serve and protect. Not police and assassinate. Enforcement is part of their job, but it's not the entire task with which they are hired. They are hired to serve the community. They are public servants. Also, don't start heaping around personal accusations of which you know nothing about.
Yes and they do that job by enforcing the laws of the City, the State and the Nation. They are not tasked to protect any individual and no one should expect that they will protect them. They can not make that commitment to all persons. This nation is a good place because it is run by rule of law and that works because we a system to enforce the laws enacted, the police forces. The Chamber of Commerce puts a nice dress on it though, hey!
Yeah, you're right. We pay them so they can provide revenue to the city with their bullshit quotas. I forgot. My bad.
