Speaking to the Fraternal Order of Police in Tennessee on Monday morning, Attorney General Jeff Sessions formally announced that the Trump administration will restart giving surplus military weapons and equipment to state and local law enforcement.
That’s a mistake.
What kind of equipment are we talking about? Well, Haverhill, Mass., a town of fewer than 65,000, got a nearly 20-ton Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. Keene, NH, a town of fewer than 30,000, got an 8-ton armored BearCat. Over 10,000 bayonets have been handed out. Yes, bayonets.
Police work is unquestionably difficult — and often thankless. I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for those who put it all on the line to protect our communities, and I saw their bravery firsthand this summer when Capitol Police officers made all the difference during the attack on our congressional baseball game practice.
To support our local police, we must first realize they aren’t soldiers. But today the line between the two is being eroded.
It’s no surprise you can find big government right at the heart of this problem. Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal governments build what are essentially small armies — where police departments compete to acquire military gear.
Plus, over a third of the “surplus” equipment is new, so it’s disingenuous to portray it as banged-up old stuff lying around the garage.
When we couple militarizing law enforcement with the erosion of civil liberties and due process that allows the police to become judge and jury — national security letters, no-knock searches, broad general warrants, pre-conviction asset forfeiture — we see the magnitude of the problem.
ht/ fdr in hell
oh, Hell no.
Then some Barney goes all apeshit over a defenseless public with a tank??
oh, Hell no.
Oh, hell no
Some Barney will not doubt go ape shit with a tank and crush the defenseless public
Oh, hell no. Didnt see this coming from Trump
About 9 months ago I received a text messaged picture from one of our local swat members. A Pal. They had a hostage situation. They were taking cover behind their Bear cat while trying to talk the bad guy out which eventually they did. The picture showed were the bad guys 556 rounds bounced off the Bear Cat. I see both side if this argument, but ultimately I will come down on the side of LEO. NOBODY died during this episode. Mainly because they had a bullet proof object they could position between them and the bad guy.
Societal breakdown. The bottom line is that cops need this stuff. People are losing it out there. And we import terrorists and gang members so don’t be surprised that crime is skyrocketing.
With the increase of illegals, increase of terrorist attacks, increase of civil disobedience groups like BLM, ANTIFA, etc. it seems inevitable that local law enforcement would need to step-up their game.
It may roll over into an unwelcomed militarized force but we can only hope for the best while being under assault from those that would prefer our demise.
Well, since apparently it’s surplus and someone’s gonna get it, I’m glad it’ll be America LEO and not Syrian “Freedom Fighters.” Though I would like to see those Army/Navy Surplus stores reopen to the public. I could use a bayonet. And maybe some new steel-toed boots.
The problem with militarizing police forces is what happens when progtard cunt mayors of sanctuary cities put Anti-Fa and BLM motherfuckers in charge of the police?
I’m with Jellybean on this one.
I came from a county where the Deputy had his own Mini-14 in the trunk because the county wouldn’t issue him a log gun due to the expense of it.
ARE THEY GOING TO USE THIS NEW EQUIPMENT TO STOP ANTIFA FROM BEATING US?
no.
Note antifa becoming more violent and LEO becoming more weaponized. Meanwhile our 2A rights being curtailed.
This won’t end well…
We Should Fear This Shit !
My Reason – Charlotsvile … Politicians Use The Police For THEIR Benefit, And The LEO’S Have To Do What Leadership Want’s… They May Not Agree With a Mayor, But Have To Follow Their Direction ! And Mayors Don’t Go Through Phsychological Testing When Hired !!!
I had no idea Obama had banned military equipment to police.
It was during his administration that the police in our big city of 22,000 got an armored personnel carrier.
This business of militarizing police departments is terrible.
Is Trump kissing up to police unions or does he really think this is a good idea?
Maybe it’s a NYC mind set.
Ok Now I Get it, So We Have Random Armored Military Vehicles Stationed in Small Random Towns and Cities Around The Country … Just Ready To Roll at a Moments Notice to Stop Or Start … Something ???
This Smells of Rotten Fish !
The military equipment needs
alot of maintenance and expensive parts.
Most of this stuff sits in a yard dead
because the rinky-dink little town can
not afford to keep it running…
Radioman has it exactly right. Most of the specilaized equipment in PDs goes to rot after the novelty wears off and the reality of high maintenance costs kick in. The armored vehciles also require specialized operator training and certification – which nobody has either the time or money to invest in.
Any reason we can’t recycle all those steel bayonets and unneeded armored trucks and something else useful with them? I hear there’s a real plowshare shortage in some places.
😉
Left out the “do”. And do something else useful.
Need edit function.
When the police and military are against you you deprive them of what they need (Obama). When the police and military are with you you give them what they need (Trump).
The question is – who is in charge of the police? In Berkley, were they rent-a-cops, campus security, campus cops, local cops, or state cops? I don’t know if the rent-a-cops or campus security are worth anything when a riot happens, but the local and state cops should have the leaders who tell them what to do. If they were ordered to stand down, what can they do? These local/state citizens better find out and deal with the problem.
As far as giving them military grade equipment, it all depends on their leadership.
Beachmom- It’s funny you mention that, because I always heard that he was trying to militarize the police. And like you said, some PD’s got unusual equipment anyway.
I need to hear from a cop about this, if they don’t mind saying something here.
Perhaps the equipment should be given to the states, who then dole it out to their State Patrols. The state then assumed the cost of any maintenance or repair and the town’s are able to ‘call up’ the equipment when/if needed.
But…thst’s just my own crazy idea!!!
This equipment could be used by a Jerry Brown, Rahm Emanual or Bill de Blasio or many others who like to undermine our freedom. I think this is a big mistake. We have a national Guard to call in when needed.
My department does get hand me down military equipment. I see both sides of the argument. I understand the fear but I’ve also been part of the legitimate use.
I agree that the leadership is what matters. And what the rank and file will do if ordered to do something immoral and unconstitutional.
Remember, these young indoctrinated kids are becoming cops now. Do the millennials know history? Do they know the evils of socialism? Are they willing to take a stand against their “leaders” when it’s needed?
When the time comes, and you need an “apple” – do you want to know that there’s a commercial orchard, behind three razor wire fences, with robot gun turrets, a few hours drive away, if you can still drive there, with all the “apples” you’ll, personally, ever need? Or would you rather an apple tree in every municipal dictator’s yard, with enough “apples” to get you through the week, as long as you can walk over and carry away what you need?
Beachmom: I forget where I first read about the ramp up of all the “surplus” gear so many small towns were getting, but know that it was being doled out like candy during the beginning of O’s administration. Then, after the “optics” of Ferguson cops rolling out APCs, people went nuts. All of a sudden there was backlash over trying to actually quell civil unrest. He turned out to be an Indian Giver.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/11/ferguson-protests-police-militarization-humvees
Whether military surplus (a ridiculous concept given the fact we’re in the beginning stages of a multi-generational war), or purchased outright, I’d rather see all LEO’s carry M4s than side arms. Chances of actually hitting the first time what they aim at go way up. I’d guess fewer bystanders would catch stray 5.56 rounds than 9mm or .40.