Police state feeding fenzy...welcome to a war zone...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52vfZbdf3vM#t=367

I think some good points were brought up in that video.

First, I can see where these police get all this cool military gear and then they want to use it, goes out and they eventually get a mind set that the people are the enemy instead of serve and protect.

Not to mention all the extra snooping powers they are being given, via drones etc

Another point to be made is we have a growing problem where more and more a us vs them mentality has been growing.

So where do we o from here? because I don't think all police are bad. And many times I'm glad to see one. But I'll be honest with you with all the rhetoric its implanting in the back of my head a teeny amount of fear when I see one more than before. Is this justified fear or am I being brainwashed?

We have a problem with the system that runs these police that's taking good citizens and turning them against average citizens, and they are also using fear to do it. Because on the other side of this equation you fail to look at is, these people are trying to do a very dangerous job. And its getting extremely dangerous out there with these organized gangs and these people who are on drugs that are so crazed even guns hardly take them down. These police are also scared of us.

They are people just like you and me. They have homes and families and they want to live to see their grandchildren, just like you and me.

Now where do we go from here?

You should know I have several police officers in my family. They all have to keep their political beliefs a secret. They are out there trying to get the bad guys and yes, they will tell you there are some assholes.

We are running out of decent citizens who are willing to risk their lives daily to keep us safe. It doesn't pay very well for the sacrifice you have to make. So its not surprising its attracting more and more control freaks.

But again, where do we go from here?

Do we want to disarm the police like in Europe? Then the populace will need to be disarmed.

Can either of you tell me a time when you called the cops to give them a gift card to Texas Roadhouse or even Krispy Kreme? Nope, you call when all else has failed and the situation is full of suck. They never get to show up for one call that isn't stressful or dangerous. It's pretty easy to see why they
Might believe we are the enemy.

As part of the American Civil Liberties Union’s recent report on police militarization, the Massachusetts chapter of the organization sent open records requests to SWAT teams across that state. It received an interesting response.

As it turns out, a number of SWAT teams in the Bay State are operated by what are called law enforcement councils, or LECs. These LECs are funded by several police agencies in a given geographic area and overseen by an executive board, which is usually made up of police chiefs from member police departments. In 2012, for example, the Tewksbury Police Department paid about $4,600 in annual membership dues to the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, or NEMLEC. (See page 36 of linked PDF.) That LEC has about 50 member agencies. In addition to operating a regional SWAT team, the LECs also facilitate technology and information sharing and oversee other specialized units, such as crime scene investigators and computer crime specialists.

Some of these LECs have also apparently incorporated as 501(c)(3) organizations. And it’s here that we run into problems. According to the ACLU, the LECs are claiming that the 501(c)(3) status means that they’re private corporations, not government agencies. And therefore, they say they’re immune from open records requests. Let’s be clear. These agencies oversee police activities. They employ cops who carry guns, wear badges, collect paychecks provided by taxpayers and have the power to detain, arrest, injure and kill. They operate SWAT teams, which conduct raids on private residences. And yet they say that because they’ve incorporated, they’re immune to Massachusetts open records laws. The state’s residents aren’t permitted to know how often the SWAT teams are used, what they’re used for, what sort of training they get or who they’re primarily used against.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/26/massachusetts-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-immune-from-open-records-laws/



Through the looking glass .....

PACEDOG#1 wrote:Can either of you tell me a time when you called the cops to give them a gift card to Texas Roadhouse or even Krispy Kreme? Nope, you call when all else has failed and the situation is full of suck. They never get to show up for one call that isn't stressful or dangerous. It's pretty easy to see why they
Might believe we are the enemy.

I stopped and helped an officer that had accidentally left his brief case on the tail gate of his police truck. The hard plastic briefcase had exploded when it fell off the tailgate on the highway and a car hit it. I pulled over and began chasing his tickets and crime reports in the wind in traffic. He helped for a few minutes then went back to his truck and let me finish picking up hundreds of papers strewn down the highway...he at least thanked me but I won't stop again.

Sal wrote:As part of the American Civil Liberties Union’s recent report on police militarization, the Massachusetts chapter of the organization sent open records requests to SWAT teams across that state. It received an interesting response.

As it turns out, a number of SWAT teams in the Bay State are operated by what are called law enforcement councils, or LECs. These LECs are funded by several police agencies in a given geographic area and overseen by an executive board, which is usually made up of police chiefs from member police departments. In 2012, for example, the Tewksbury Police Department paid about $4,600 in annual membership dues to the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, or NEMLEC. (See page 36 of linked PDF.) That LEC has about 50 member agencies. In addition to operating a regional SWAT team, the LECs also facilitate technology and information sharing and oversee other specialized units, such as crime scene investigators and computer crime specialists.

Some of these LECs have also apparently incorporated as 501(c)(3) organizations. And it’s here that we run into problems. According to the ACLU, the LECs are claiming that the 501(c)(3) status means that they’re private corporations, not government agencies. And therefore, they say they’re immune from open records requests. Let’s be clear. These agencies oversee police activities. They employ cops who carry guns, wear badges, collect paychecks provided by taxpayers and have the power to detain, arrest, injure and kill. They operate SWAT teams, which conduct raids on private residences. And yet they say that because they’ve incorporated, they’re immune to Massachusetts open records laws. The state’s residents aren’t permitted to know how often the SWAT teams are used, what they’re used for, what sort of training they get or who they’re primarily used against.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/26/massachusetts-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-immune-from-open-records-laws/



Through the looking glass .....

Yes in Germany they called it the SS. Russia it was the secret police.

PACEDOG#1 wrote:Can either of you tell me a time when you called the cops to give them a gift card to Texas Roadhouse or even Krispy Kreme? Nope, you call when all else has failed and the situation is full of suck. They never get to show up for one call that isn't stressful or dangerous. It's pretty easy to see why they
Might believe we are the enemy.

The only time I get called is when the situation has gone to shit and yes, its always stressful and dangerous but people regularly bring us cakes, cookies and cards. 5 more points on the civil service test and they could have been enjoying that.

Of course, I treat them as my equal and not a report number. I hold their hand when they think they are about to die and I softly tell them that it aint happening while my guys are there. I put their dog in a spare room and out of the way then compliment them on how nice a dog they have instead of shooting it because I'm a scared asshole. I tell them to bring their kids by for a visit and make them feel at home. Figuring out the difference yet?