Militarization of our Police

[David E]

I've seen this phrase repeated in several threads and I'd like to know what it means. (or what folks think it means)

The phrase, of late, has been associated with police departments transitioning from revolvers to semi-autos. Implying that if cops had stayed with the revolver, no assertions of "militarizing of our police" would be made. Or is that just one factor?

Thoughts?

 

[rcmodel]

What it means to me is, we keep seeing more and more wearing BDU uniforms, with flack jackets, Kevlar helmets, Nomax gloves, and black ski masks covering their faces.

Totally anonymous, unidentifiable, storm troopers so to speak.

Some of the Boston Bombing news coverage looked like they had been invaded by a well equipped army.

Except they had more M4 carbines then the Army has.

rc

 

[Arizona_Mike]

I'm not sure but I recently saw a young cop doing a follow up on a disturbance (not the actual disturbance) at a Carl's Junior restaurant recently had 5 high cap magazines, 4 in socket-type carriers that pointed out and not just straight up and had a belt with an extremely high "bat factor" with respect to every other accessory imaginable. He did not give the impression of a "peace officer".

Mike

 

[tarosean]

If this guy was decked out in camo would you think soldier?

 

[oneounceload]

My local police have automatic weapons, snipers, armored personnel carriers, full body armor, explosive devices, amphibious vehicles and aircraft

Sure sounds like a military operation to me

Along with their cameras, etc., they are no longer interested in "keeping the peace", but responding in force after the fact

 

[627PCFan]

1911, Im guessing not standard issue for Mass PD-

 

[Sol]

Heavy vehicles, military grade weapons, EOD robots, UAVs, increase in department personnel, "anti-terrorism" training, communication interception, changes in stop procedures sound and focused energy weapons etc. etc. but it's not limited to just your local PD it's all enforcement branches

 

[HexHead]

Pictures worth 1000 words...

 

[Sam1911]

No, this has almost nothing to do with handguns. It is an issue we've touched on many times here but the contributing factors are simply beyond the scope of a THR discussion.