Lawmaker drafting bill to demilitarize local police
By Mario Trujillo and Jesse Byrnes - 08/14/14 01:58 PM EDT
A Democratic congressman from Georgia is drafting legislation to limit a Pentagon program that provides surplus military equipment to local law enforcement.
Rep. Hank Johnson is pushing the legislation amid the situation in Ferguson, Mo., where an armed police presence has taken to the streets after mass protests over a police shooting.
"Our main streets should be a place for business, families, and relaxation, not tanks and M16s," Johnson wrote in a Dear Colleague letter sent Thursday to other members of Congress.
“As the tragedy in Missouri unfolds, one thing is clear. Our local police are becoming militarized,” Johnson's office said in a statement.
Johnson said he will introduce the bill in September, when Congress returns from a five-week recess. He has been worked on the legislation for months, but his office said the current situation highlights the need for the bill.
Police have been out in force in Ferguson following the death of Michael Brown, a black teenager who was unarmed when he was shot by a police officer during a street confrontation.
The images coming out of Ferguson — which President Obama on Thursday called “deeply disturbing” — have spurred comparisons with a war zone, with heavily armed police officers pointing weapons at protesters. Some of the protesters have reportedly thrown Molotov cocktails at police.
"Is this a war zone or a US city?" Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) tweeted Wednesday evening, as reports emerged of police using smoke bombs and tear gas to disperse crowds.
Johnson criticized the Pentagon's '1033' program, which offers surplus military equipment to state and local law enforcement, including M16 rifles and mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAP).
He noted in the last several months those vehicles have been given to cities in Texas, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arizona, Illinois and Alabama.
"This trend is not only sweeping America's small cities, it's hitting American college campuses as well. Ohio State University recently acquired an MRAP," he said. "Apparently, college kids are getting too rowdy."
Johnson said his bill would limit the type of equipment that could be transferred and would make sure states track all equipment received.
Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson on Thursday pushed back on criticism of the police response.
"The whole picture is being painted a little bit sideways from what's happening," Jackson said.
"It's not military, it's tactical operations. It's SWAT teams. That's who's out there — police. We're doing this in blue."
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles similarly defended police conduct, telling MSNBC he could not "second guess these officers."
Lawmakers aren’t convinced and are increasingly sounding the alarm about the new firepower being wielded by police departments.
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/215160-lawmaker-drafting-bill-to-stem-flow-of-tanks-and-m16s-to-police#ixzz3APuffrmI
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Yep- now that the police are having to go up against black rioters - you and old "Guam is going to tip over" Johnson are both in the same bed together...
I guess drones are next?
Was this aimed at me, even though I never posted on the Guam thread? Anyway, I think there are way too many cops out there with smalldicksyndrome, and alcohol and substance abusers in their own right, much less wife beaters, to arm them up like Rambo.Oldtimer said:Lawmaker drafting bill to demilitarize local police
By Mario Trujillo and Jesse Byrnes - 08/14/14 01:58 PM EDT
A Democratic congressman from Georgia is drafting legislation to limit a Pentagon program that provides surplus military equipment to local law enforcement.
Rep. Hank Johnson is pushing the legislation amid the situation in Ferguson, Mo., where an armed police presence has taken to the streets after mass protests over a police shooting.
"Our main streets should be a place for business, families, and relaxation, not tanks and M16s," Johnson wrote in a Dear Colleague letter sent Thursday to other members of Congress.
“As the tragedy in Missouri unfolds, one thing is clear. Our local police are becoming militarized,” Johnson's office said in a statement.
Johnson said he will introduce the bill in September, when Congress returns from a five-week recess. He has been worked on the legislation for months, but his office said the current situation highlights the need for the bill.
Police have been out in force in Ferguson following the death of Michael Brown, a black teenager who was unarmed when he was shot by a police officer during a street confrontation.
The images coming out of Ferguson — which President Obama on Thursday called “deeply disturbing” — have spurred comparisons with a war zone, with heavily armed police officers pointing weapons at protesters. Some of the protesters have reportedly thrown Molotov cocktails at police.
"Is this a war zone or a US city?" Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) tweeted Wednesday evening, as reports emerged of police using smoke bombs and tear gas to disperse crowds.
Johnson criticized the Pentagon's '1033' program, which offers surplus military equipment to state and local law enforcement, including M16 rifles and mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAP).
He noted in the last several months those vehicles have been given to cities in Texas, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arizona, Illinois and Alabama.
"This trend is not only sweeping America's small cities, it's hitting American college campuses as well. Ohio State University recently acquired an MRAP," he said. "Apparently, college kids are getting too rowdy."
Johnson said his bill would limit the type of equipment that could be transferred and would make sure states track all equipment received.
Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson on Thursday pushed back on criticism of the police response.
"The whole picture is being painted a little bit sideways from what's happening," Jackson said.
"It's not military, it's tactical operations. It's SWAT teams. That's who's out there — police. We're doing this in blue."
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles similarly defended police conduct, telling MSNBC he could not "second guess these officers."
Lawmakers aren’t convinced and are increasingly sounding the alarm about the new firepower being wielded by police departments.
Read more: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/215160-lawmaker-drafting-bill-to-stem-flow-of-tanks-and-m16s-to-police#ixzz3APuffrmI
Follow us: @thehill on Twitter | TheHill on Facebook
Yep- now that the police are having to go up against black rioters - you and old "Guam is going to tip over" Johnson are both in the same bed together...
The one thing they are failing to tell folks is that many of these gangs, cartels, and drug dealers have for years been better armed than the police... The availability of excess military equipment is just giving some the chance to try to catch up...
While I disagree with police that try to create a military look to their departments-- and over utilize SWAT teams and SWAT tactics its also very apparent to me that the bad guys armament has increased many fold in the past 40 years... What used to be a Saturday night special .25 auto or .32 revolver in the hands of the wannabe crook is now an Uzi or a Mach 10...
Was this aimed at me, even though I never posted on the Guam thread?
Ferguson Police Chief Thomas Jackson on Thursday pushed back on criticism of the police response.
"The whole picture is being painted a little bit sideways from what's happening," Jackson said.
"It's not military, it's tactical operations. It's SWAT teams. That's who's out there — police. We're doing this in blue."
but someone did make an assertion that this guy was ill and had an excuse..
but someone did make an assertion that this guy was ill and had an excuse..
Steve said:I guess drones are next?
drones, sensors and night vision would give law enforcement a tactical advantage and probably save lives.. more lives then more firepower.
but to be honest... the appearance of how a guy is dressed doesn't bother nor intimidate me.. I would have the best gear possible if I had to do his job as well..
gun wise,.. an AR/M16 is about the best suited for police work where good aim and close quarters is required..
it isn't the equipment,.. it is the overzealous untrained ones that scare the hell out of me..
(CNN) -- Members of a northeast Georgia SWAT team are "devastated" after a drug raid in which a flash-bang grenade landed in a 1-year-old's playpen, seriously injuring the child, the Habersham County sheriff said Friday.Oldtimer said:Steve said:I guess drones are next?
drones, sensors and night vision would give law enforcement a tactical advantage and probably save lives.. more lives then more firepower.
but to be honest... the appearance of how a guy is dressed doesn't bother nor intimidate me.. I would have the best gear possible if I had to do his job as well..
gun wise,.. an AR/M16 is about the best suited for police work where good aim and close quarters is required..
it isn't the equipment,.. it is the overzealous untrained ones that scare the hell out of me..
Besides much of the equipment being used to provide protection to the public- one of the reasons for having tactical units involved in more situations (especially the serving of warrants on and apprehensions of dangerous offenders) is to make the assertion of strength right off and in that way hoping to reduce the chances of resistance - and in that way make it less dangerous to the suspect, the officers and the public...
Oldtimer said:Steve said:I guess drones are next?
drones, sensors and night vision would give law enforcement a tactical advantage and probably save lives.. more lives then more firepower.
but to be honest... the appearance of how a guy is dressed doesn't bother nor intimidate me.. I would have the best gear possible if I had to do his job as well..
gun wise,.. an AR/M16 is about the best suited for police work where good aim and close quarters is required..
it isn't the equipment,.. it is the overzealous untrained ones that scare the hell out of me..
Besides much of the equipment being used to provide protection to the public- one of the reasons for having tactical units involved in more situations (especially the serving of warrants on and apprehensions of dangerous offenders) is to make the assertion of strength right off and in that way hoping to reduce the chances of resistance - and in that way make it less dangerous to the suspect, the officers and the public...
Mike said:(CNN) -- Members of a northeast Georgia SWAT team are "devastated" after a drug raid in which a flash-bang grenade landed in a 1-year-old's playpen, seriously injuring the child, the Habersham County sheriff said Friday.Oldtimer said:Steve said:drones, sensors and night vision would give law enforcement a tactical advantage and probably save lives.. more lives then more firepower.
but to be honest... the appearance of how a guy is dressed doesn't bother nor intimidate me.. I would have the best gear possible if I had to do his job as well..
gun wise,.. an AR/M16 is about the best suited for police work where good aim and close quarters is required..
it isn't the equipment,.. it is the overzealous untrained ones that scare the hell out of me..
Besides much of the equipment being used to provide protection to the public- one of the reasons for having tactical units involved in more situations (especially the serving of warrants on and apprehensions of dangerous offenders) is to make the assertion of strength right off and in that way hoping to reduce the chances of resistance - and in that way make it less dangerous to the suspect, the officers and the public...
The police officers involved have been called baby killers and received threats following the incident, Sheriff Joey Terrell said.
"All I can say is pray for the baby, his family and for us," he told CNN.
The SWAT team, made up of six or seven officers from the sheriff's department and the Cornelia Police Department, entered the Cornelia residence Wednesday before 3 a.m.
but not all law enforcement can be perfect and walk on water like the ranchersnet wannabes can !
Police Academy turns out next generation of jack booted thugs.
Follow @Call_TheCops
Posted by: RJ Beam May 25, 20140 Comments - Add Yours
700220
Graduation season is upon us. Colleges, high schools and even police academies are marching their graduates across the stage in graduation ceremonies. For academy graduates this is their first step to becoming public oppressors.
Police academy
Police Academy Graduation
Commandant Eric Lassard addressed the graduating class of recruit school 14-01 yesterday at their commencement ceremony. His remarks will surly be remembered by all the newly minted police officers.
“Today you start the next chapter of your life. You are no longer recruits you are cops. From here on out your only friend is your gun, and only family are your fellow officers.
For the last few months we have taught you to arrest people, to defend your self in a fight and if need be shoot people. Do not let the training go to waste. I implore each and everyone one of you to make it your mission to arrest someone in your first day on the job.
We have equipped you with some of the best tools a police officer has ever carried. Someone give you lip, give them 50,000 reasons to shut up with a zap from the TASER. Some punk kid shoves his camera in your face telling you he is recording this contact. Marinate his face liquid heat out of your OC spray can.
A generation ago we put out a cops who were wimps. All they wanted to do was ride bike patrol and do community policing. This is the era of militarized police. Get out there and show them who the boss is. Talking to the community about feelings will not solve crimes. Cracking the heads of criminals with a PR-24 does.
All right enough with this jaw jacking. Get out on the street and kick some ass!”