What Is The True Nature Of Police Militarization
Militarization of Police John Parker, Student September 21, 2014 Carlos Alcazar, Instructor
How safe do feel when it comes to the Police? Would you like to lower the response level of the Police in your city? Have Police Departments across the nation become too militarized? These questions that those like the ACLU and other entities would like to know. After recently reading an article written by Kara Dansky (Senior Counsel) for the ACLU, I am not sure that the true nature of the militarized …show more content…
response has been conveyed or understood.
The statistical data used in this article promoted all the negative reasons why the Police should not use a militarized response. This article outlined drug raids and fugitive hunts that have gone aerie. It is so easy to point out all of the bad reasons for this type of response but not the practical or positive ones. With that being the case I understand why one would think that this response is so bad. However when I look at the types of situations like police being killed in the line of duty dropping by 50% since the 1970s that speaks volumes to me. When we look at statistics such as the homicide rates dropping in the communities around the nation by up to 40% then I think the tactical response to some situations are relevant. When we pick up the phone and make that call to 911 or the local Police Department we want and expect a swift response to combat whatever criminal activity we are calling about. The police have to access
this situation to determine the best approach at protecting the citizens as well as themselves. I think that society sometimes forgets that these individuals are human too. They have families and loved ones that they want to go home safe to at the end of their tour of duty. The selfish thought process of others doesn’t factor that part in to their equation.
Street Gangs are prevalent in 86% of the nation’s cities with populations of 100,000 or more. This alarming rate creates a need for concern as well as a direct approach to policing this type of activity. Understanding that the introduction of several types of assault weapons into the hands of these gangs have begun a new or renewed interest on how to combat them. The approach by most Law Enforcement Agencies has to be one of a protective measure. This being the case would indicate the need for military style weaponry to combat the same. When we look at not only the gang activity in our nation but the amount of dangerous fugitives lurking the streets who have no recourse about taking a life then the approach by the police has to have a resounding affect so as to protect all those that they are governed to do so for. Clearly protecting and serving doesn’t end at standard police presence it requires at some stages a special approach with Special Weapons and Tactics to combat the elements causing social injustice or criminal activity beyond the scope of shoplifting, fighting in public, drinking and driving, or texting and driving. The groups that are tasked to criticize and dissect the approach should be sure that they have all the facts and statistical data to support their negative view of it, otherwise they may look like they are fighting just to make a name without a valid beef.
References
Aclu.org: https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform-free-speech/real-reason-ferguson-has
DOJ: http://www.statisticbrain.com/gang-statistics/
How safe do feel when it comes to the Police? Would you like to lower the response level of the Police in your city? Have Police Departments across the nation become too militarized? These questions that those like the ACLU and other entities would like to know. After recently reading an article written by Kara Dansky (Senior Counsel) for the ACLU, I am not sure that the true nature of the militarized …show more content…
response has been conveyed or understood.
The statistical data used in this article promoted all the negative reasons why the Police should not use a militarized response. This article outlined drug raids and fugitive hunts that have gone aerie. It is so easy to point out all of the bad reasons for this type of response but not the practical or positive ones. With that being the case I understand why one would think that this response is so bad. However when I look at the types of situations like police being killed in the line of duty dropping by 50% since the 1970s that speaks volumes to me. When we look at statistics such as the homicide rates dropping in the communities around the nation by up to 40% then I think the tactical response to some situations are relevant. When we pick up the phone and make that call to 911 or the local Police Department we want and expect a swift response to combat whatever criminal activity we are calling about. The police have to access
this situation to determine the best approach at protecting the citizens as well as themselves. I think that society sometimes forgets that these individuals are human too. They have families and loved ones that they want to go home safe to at the end of their tour of duty. The selfish thought process of others doesn’t factor that part in to their equation.
Street Gangs are prevalent in 86% of the nation’s cities with populations of 100,000 or more. This alarming rate creates a need for concern as well as a direct approach to policing this type of activity. Understanding that the introduction of several types of assault weapons into the hands of these gangs have begun a new or renewed interest on how to combat them. The approach by most Law Enforcement Agencies has to be one of a protective measure. This being the case would indicate the need for military style weaponry to combat the same. When we look at not only the gang activity in our nation but the amount of dangerous fugitives lurking the streets who have no recourse about taking a life then the approach by the police has to have a resounding affect so as to protect all those that they are governed to do so for. Clearly protecting and serving doesn’t end at standard police presence it requires at some stages a special approach with Special Weapons and Tactics to combat the elements causing social injustice or criminal activity beyond the scope of shoplifting, fighting in public, drinking and driving, or texting and driving. The groups that are tasked to criticize and dissect the approach should be sure that they have all the facts and statistical data to support their negative view of it, otherwise they may look like they are fighting just to make a name without a valid beef.
References
Aclu.org: https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform-free-speech/real-reason-ferguson-has
DOJ: http://www.statisticbrain.com/gang-statistics/