Political Crossfire Forums

Sucks to have to point it out, but a lot of the problem really is militarization. Perhaps half of active police are former military, very often veterans. And the other half are trained by what are usually former military, very often veterans. Police training has become very militaristic. Cops are routinely trained to empty their magazines and make sure. They are taught to shoot to kill. Because Hollywood isn't real life, and shooting to wound isn't often possible, this does make center of mass make a degree of sense. But back in the day they were issued six-round revolvers and taught to fire a couple shots and then make further decisions. Takes longer to reload a revolver, and fewer shots are available. So more fire discipline is warranted. Modern police are issues semi-automatic pistols that can hold up to 18+1. And they are taught to keep firing to prevent the assailant from having the opportunity to return fire. They can easily fire half a dozen rounds before the target even hits the ground.

The skills and training that make good military are completely incompatible with the skills and training that result in good cops. Military and police have entirely different skillsets and functions.

Pains me to say it, but prior military service should disqualify someone from serving as a police officer. And prior military service should absolutely disqualify someone from training police officers.

Holy shit, a good Spider post. Has it been six months already???

the biggest problem with 'militarization' isn't the former military, it's rather forfeiture and the war on drugs. you have to prove that your stuff wasn't being used to facilitate drugs (like if you had a lot of cash on you) in order to get your own stuff back, as they can take it without charge and without conviction. and these funds, in order to increase cops to want to do it, go to the local departments. it's why we've got APCs in iowa police forces, they've got so much money they can buy whatever toys they want

yes, police forces need access to fire arms, both pistols and long guns. and perhaps some specialized other equipment should be around for rapid deployment in urban areas when there are terrorist situations. but these should all be limited. police should have to request access to the guns in their own vehicles, and only given when the situation warrants it. they should not normally be armed with something lethal. as for the rest of their toys, we need to end the war on drugs. in no metric has it been successful: not only are drugs more plentiful, they are also cheaper than ever. the first step is to remove marijuana as a schedule I drug, and decriminalize it. states can legalize it if they like

Don't laugh. He's right.