I've been thinking: are the police militarised?

[Clint]

The only way to combat people with an increasingly dangerous arsenal of deadly weapons, as well as an increasing hostility for society as a whole, is a police force equipped to deal with that situation. An improperly equipped cop equals a dead cop. How many violent riots have there been based on the false implication of criminal intent by a police officer? The point of policing is to enforce the law, and civil unrest can't go unpunished. The result of civil unrest is a more militarized police force.

So the question should't be "Why are the police becoming so militarized?" The questions should be "Why doesn't anybody know the law?" Rioting is illegal. Looting is illegal. Arson is illegal. Destruction of property, assault, all illegal. Protesting is legal, but this country is burdened with a bunch of troglodytes who would rather implicate violence in order to get a point across, which is ironically precisely the opposite of how one should go about getting a point across.

A mob who can kill an entire police force is a mob that needs to be forced into submission by the police. SWAT tactics work, so that's the style of policing police are beginning to use more and more regularly, and that is wholly the result of increasing civil unrest. If I see a mob walking down my street, burning my car, and scaring my poor defenseless puppy faced dog, I'd rather have a militarized police force throwing tear gas at them, rather then allow them to continue.

[OutlawTorn]

I'm not going to power quote you like a shut-in with something to prove, but you raised some points I wanted to counter.

The only way to combat people with an increasingly dangerous arsenal of deadly weapons, as well as an increasing hostility for society as a whole, is a police force equipped to deal with that situation.

Every weapon is deadly. Your nation has prided itself on it's gun policies for over 100 years, now you're paying the [obvious] price. You can't build your home on the river bed and cry when that river floods.

To suggest criminals, rioters or gang members have a hostility towards society as a whole, is being very extreme. There's this mom and pop misconception (perpetuated by Hollywood films, rap music and middle-upper class word of mouth) that gang members and minority criminals are evil, sadistic, soulless monsters who get erect at the sight of the blood of innocent Caucasians. These are human beings. Yes, they make some bad choices, and on the extreme end of that spectrum, you have monsters, but they aren't plotting the demise of society. Most of these people have children, families, and surprisingly mundane values. What separates the average citizen from the average criminal, is the law. I respect the law as much as anyone here, but if breaking it meant feeding my child because there was no other way, I would without thinking twice.

These people have hostility toward the government who has been actively oppressing minorities for over 50 years. The CIA put more drugs on the streets in the hands of minorities than the average dealer will in his or her lifetime. (Fact, look into it. People too often focus on the result, ignoring the cause of problems. These rioters aren't evil, anarchistic terrorists getting together like a flash mob.)

An improperly equipped cop equals a dead cop.

Again, simply not true. If it were, there would be A LOT more dead cops turning up every shift.

The point of policing is to enforce the law, and civil unrest can't go unpunished. The result of civil unrest is a more militarized police force.

So the question should't be "Why are the police becoming so militarized?" The questions should be "Why doesn't anybody know the law?"

I know the law, very well, in fact. No one here has suggested any of the crimes you go on to list are acceptable, or legal.

The real question here should be, "Why is this a problem more or less unique to America?"

We don't have this problem in Canada (Mass racism, riots, young African-American males being brutalized and murdered almost on weekly basis), and out cultures are almost twins (save the gun-loving, casual violence, and social intolerance). Our criminals have heavy weapons too, but we don't feel the need to turn our Peace Officers into reserve soldiers. We don't even have the need.

We have plenty of minorities in Canada, from almost any country you can imagine. Our crime and violence rates are a joke compared to America.

A mob who can kill an entire police force is a mob that needs to be forced into submission by the police.

You're being so extreme your point is lost on it. Your law enforcement agencies are ahead of the curve, always have been, always will be. That's why the Cartel isn't taking over towns and executing cops in the streets. They know the odds are stacked firmly against them. That's why gangs and mobsters pay off cops, Mayors and judges, because they can't fight for their living any other way. It's suicide. You might get 1 or 2 beat cops before a SWAT sniper paints the sidewalk with your brain tissue from a police-issue helicopter.

You know why your agencies haven't ramped up to true paramilitary status yet? Because we all know they could... There's only one thing standing in the way of it, Clint. It's not fear, it's not funding, it's not means. It's the foresight to know what will happen if your America is realized.

Criminals in America are no better equipped than they were 10, 20, 30 years ago. They've always had automatic weapons, shotguns, and explosives. Going back to the old west, outlaws had revolvers and long guns, Sheriff's had the same. The difference?

"I think you broke the law, so I can kill you and I'm a hero, no questions asked. And even if! Even if I'm wrong, my outfit will back me up. And their word against a degenerate wins every goddamn time. But if you kill me, well you just went from a cell to the gallows, because my life is protected by this badge... I'm above the law I'm paid to enforce. Murder isn't murder for a cop, it's justice."

Let me tell you what your parents and professors wouldn't. If your cops army-up and start patrolling the streets like a military unit, cool unrest will increase, but how can you stage a riot when Big Blue 1 will come and shoot you all down? Can't... So it brews... Stews in darkness and silence... It builds up like a persistent pressure that will not be ignored.

Before long you have a domestic terrorism problem. Now bombs are being set off in government buildings and police HQs across the country (god forbid, like I feel bad entertaining this).

Let's not forget about the gangs... They're not going away because cops have better equipment now. This is a way of life... It's a sub-culture for most of these families, not an occupation. No, they've increased their tactics and equipment to compete and stay with the curve.

But now gangs have body armour, automatic weapons and explosives, only now it's Marshal Law in this bitch! We gotta actually use these AK's on the regular.

So now the cops are saying, "Damn! What once was enough, isn't anymore. The answer here isn't prevention, it's responding with greater force... Bring in the tanks and drones!


Whoops!! Drone just destroyed Clint's home because intell said it was a Cartel operation...

But that's overshadowed by the fact that gangs and the paramilitary Militia are at war in the streets every day..

You think civilian casualties resulting from gang shootings is an issue now? Let your police Militia up and watch the resulting chaos ensue.


Thank god your government is well aware of this already, and won't allow this to happen.

I understand where you're coming from. I do, Clint. But I cannot agree for a number of reasons. The problem won't be solved, but perpetuated by a more paramilitary police force.


I know (more than the average person) how wrong it is to resort to violence to prove a point. But when your point is a serious issue (racism in America) that will not be properly heard after 70+ years! You have to disconnect, put it in perspective...

You can't deny this problem anymore, we're so far past that now. But how do you remove racism from a country that was founded upon it? A country that is run prodominately by whites who have to play the game, and dance to the beat of the drum?

You can't be so bias and narrow minded. People don't burn buildings down for something to do...