Quote:
Originally Posted by diuretic
There are a few very good articles about the militarisation of the police (just Google the phrase and read away for hours). Many of them blame Daryl Gates (he created SWAT when he was in the LAPD). I'm not sure about that but I'll defer to experts.
From this distance it's hard to generalise about police in the US. But you know if you want to see police in militaristic mode look to Europe. The Gendarmerie Nationale in France (in particular the CGS), the Bundespolizei in Germany, the Gendarmerie in Austria (they may have re-organised in recent years). There are some that are of military origin - the Marechaussee of the Netherlands. But if you're American just look north. The RCMP/Gendarmerie Royale du Canada is the number one regiment of the Canadian Forces.
But that's not the point is it? The point is that there is a perception that American policing (gross generalisation but can't help it) has become much more oppressive, its militarism is just a visible manifestation. I'm sure there's some truth in that but I also think, from looking at Lumara's first post, that part of the problem lies with the legislators. The cops enforce the law, they don't make it. Point the finger where it belongs. It would seem to me that, if I can generalise Lumara's points, that American society has become more authoritarian. And that may well be right.
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I remember once in college learning about the Japanese system of law enforcement, and how their police departments are far LESS militarized than Europe and America, and yet they have lower crime. I don't know that this is causation, but it's interesting nonetheless.
I recognize the need for specialized police units, some situations are beyond the capabilities of normal police training (like North Hollywood for example). But issuing patrol officers quick-release thigh-holsters, tactical gear, and automatic weapons in lieu of shotguns (the latter of which is actually more useful, but looks less imposing) is simply ridiculous. I was driving in Philadelphia once and saw a motorcycle cop with an MP5 on his bike, A SUBMACHINE GUN. Why? What possible use would that be to a motorcycle cop who writes tickets all day, has a radio, and oh yeah, already has a sidearm that fires the same caliber ammunition (as well as 45 rounds of ammunition).
Our police force needs to return the days where cops wore professional (but still practical) uniforms, worked to create stronger communities instead of simply scaring people into compliance, and for the love of god take away the tasers (they just make the cop more prone to use force when speech can work).