what's your view on SWAT??

Question

SWAT Overkill: The Danger of a Paramilitary Police Force

I think the fact our police departments in America are becoming too militarized in ridiculous fashions.

It’s the difference between Audie Murphy and Andy Griffith. But nowadays, police are looking, and acting, more like soldiers than cops, with bad consequences. And those who suffer the consequences are usually innocent civilians. The trend toward militarizing police began in the ’60s and ’70s when standoffs with the Black Panthers, the Symbionese Liberation Army, and the University of Texas bell tower gunman Charles Whitman convinced many police departments that they needed more than .38 specials to deal with unusual, high-intensity threats.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/4203345.html

Answer 1

I do not agree with Republicans who want to allow the sale of AK47s and cop killer bullets. We could use SWAT now in Iraq. I think it would be great if all Republicans took there AK47 and cop killer bullets and volunteer for service in Iraq.

Answer 2

I think you answered your own question with your last sentence; "...convinced many police departments that they neededd more than .38 specials to deal with unusual, high-intensity threats." If an officer needs more than what he's carrying (normal patrol officer that is) then wouldn't it be smart to calll a specially trained unit to handle the situation if needed? I am not a SWAT officer but am a negotiator. I would much rather talk someone out than have to have a tactical team make an entry. I'm sure, although most of them would never admit it, most SWAT officer feel the same way. I have responded to many tactical situations as a negotiator and have only had to recommend a tactical solution one time. All that said, think if your sister, brother, mom, or other loved one was being held against their will. Wouldn't you want someone who trains regularly to handle such situations to make the attempt to rescue him/her after all else fails. Just remember, not everything you read about in the paper or see in the news is 100% factual. You might be surprised to know just how much 'extra' is put in. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

just wait till a person storms into your home barracading himself in your house while trying to out run the police..... you will want a SWAT team to be there.
I am not saying it will happen, but it could.

SWAT teams are Police officers with a lot more advanced training in special weapons and tactics. In fact thats what the name swat stands for.

Police agencies are becoming militaized, yes, is this a good thing, yes. we need to be more disiplined I think.
do not judge police officers for what you see in the movies or on tv, I have said it before, the media make police look like bullies by only reporting the bad things police do, when was the last time you saw on the news a police officer saving the life of someone.....It will be on there, but not very often, and when an officer is involved with a shooting, they do not report the full facts of the shooting, nor the full facts of the person who was shot.
the media will say " a black man(or any minority) was shot by a white cop this morning during the morning commute at a local gas station." the media will not report that the person who was shot by police just robbed and threaten to kill the store owner, and tried to run down police, or had just killed someone yesterday, and is trying to get money to aid his escape from capture.
do not picture police as bullies, and ticket writers. I for one hate to write tickets, and only write a few each month. but remember, we pull you over for speeding or unsafe lane change, or running a red light, we are protecting the others in the society by giving you a fine in hopes you will curve your driving and follow the posted limit, and obey the traffic laws.

just remember, you hate police when they pull you over, but who do you call when you need help?

Answer 4

Oh, come on! Where in America are you seeing "militarized" police?? I'm sorry, but I haven't noticed that trend, and I live in a very large and sprawling city. Oh brother! Even the military police (I grew up on Air Force Bases) aren't as scary as the police in that cartoon. They're just folks like you and me... doing their job.

**EDIT and WHAT S.W.A.T. overkill? The only overkill with SWAT is how much they're used in the movies... you rarely hear about them in the news... and when they do get involved, it's for good reason, and they are usually successful at solving the problem at hand.

Answer 5

Like it or not, SWAT is a necessity is the modern world. Don't let shows like Dallas SWAT throw you off. Modern SWAT work is often mundane and certainly does not result in regular armed standoffs, shootings, etc.

SWAT officers are simply officers who have received tactical training above and beyond that of ordinary officers. SWAT officers have access to tools and weapons that regular officers dont, but it is not like these tools and weapons are always used. In many agencies, SWAT is a collateral duty assigned to officers who handle day to day policework on a full time basis.

Agencies - big and small - need SWAT capabilities. Incidents like Columbine, the LA bank robbery from several years ago, etc., highlighted the need for SWAT. Criminals are becoming more aggresive, arming themselves more heavily and harming more innocent people. SWAT is there to counter this.

BTW, I am not and never have been a SWAT officer. Of course, I'm glad they are there when we need them!

Answer 6

SWAT's overused, bad tactic, see alternative:
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061218/NEWS/612180350/-1/news30
or google Peyton Strickland
One problem is no way to get real experience, when in stress it's different from training, anything can set off their guns.

May be appropriate if a known a murderer has gun to head of hostage, but also risky.

Answer 7

So, according to you., cops should be satisfied with a .38 and hope another charles whitman does'nt appear? dummy up stupid..

Answer 8

i might want to wish to save my sanity and my husband yet i might want to somewhat view my face from a distance!! Yikes, that magnified reflect i want to positioned my mascara on is reason for melancholy!! lol

Answer 9

SWAT is the best

Answer 10

Pretty good.