...Officers or Infantry Officers? Many small-town police departments now boast the same weaponry once wielded by U.S. military units in Afghanistan — including tanks with 360-degree rotating turrets, battering rams, and automatic weapons. Those weapons are today deployed against Americans suspected of crimes in their own homes. Every day, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams connected to local police conduct 124 paramilitary-style raids in the U.S., according to a new report by the American Civil Liberties Union. One of them recently drew national attention when a SWAT team in Atlanta burst into a private home and threw a live flash grenade into a 2-year-old's crib, severely injuring the toddler. Most raids by SWAT teams are conducted against suspected drug dealers, but they've also been deployed against a private poker game; a gay bar in Atlanta; a New Haven, Connecticut, bar suspected of serving minors; and even people suspected of credit card fraud. "Neighborhoods are not war zones," says the ACLU in its report, "and our police officers should not be treating us like wartime enemies." The first SWAT team was created by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1967 and reserved for the most extreme circumstances: riots, hostage scenarios, and active-shooter or sniper situations. But the "war on drugs," coupled with the sense of danger promoted by tragedies like the Columbine massacre in 1999 and the 9/11 terror attacks, encouraged police departments even in small towns and rural...
Words: 973 - Pages: 4
...Militarization of Police Introduction Attention: A police officer climbs out of a military vehicle in front of you carrying an automatic weapon, wearing a helmet, bulletproof vest, and combat boots. Law enforcement says this shows a strong presence in their community, but is this supposed to make their citizens feel safe when statistics show it creates a higher rate of violence against American citizens? I believe that police should not constantly use military equipment for day to day situations. Thesis: The rate of police militarization increased in recent years. Police officers are intended to be public servants, but with the use of military equipment, it appears that law enforcement is at war with the communities they serve. Body A. Steadily on the rise in...
Words: 553 - Pages: 3
...The second article “Remilitarizing police not the way to be tough on crime,” is more of a one sided argument against police militarization. It tries to capture emotional side about police saying “militarized gear can sometimes give people a feeling like they’re an occupying force, as opposed to a force that’s part of the community that’s protecting them and serving them” (Board, Orange County Register Editorial). The analysis to be drawn from quotes like this is a one sided argument that tries to scare the others and make their point clear and conscience. This article is going against the president and might be considered a bias argument due to this statement, “Trump’s action will primarily encourage and subsidize the trend of militarized law...
Words: 281 - Pages: 2
...References ACLU. (2016). Police Militarization. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/issues/criminal-law-reform/reforming-police-practices/police-militarization Chang, C., & Winton, R. (2015). Police Tactics in San Bernadino Rampage Win High Praise from Experts. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/local/crime/la-me-tactics-20151204-story.html CNN. (2015). Columbine High School Shootings Fast Facts. Retrieved from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/18/us/columbine-high-school-shootings-fast-facts/ Executive Office of the President. (2014, December). Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition. Retrieved from Whitehouse.Org: https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/federal_support_for_local_law_enforcement_equipment_acquisition.pdf Fantz, A.,...
Words: 280 - Pages: 2
...Militarized Police: A Growing Epidemic Eric Reed Liberty University Abstract The purpose of this research is to document the chronic spread of militarization of police agencies across the United States at the federal, state, and local levels. Police militarization is one of the most controversial issues facing our police forces and encompasses a wide range of problems, from cases of excessive force, to civil rights violations, to budgetary problems. This research will include events that led to the creation of the first SWAT units, the aftereffects of the September 11 attacks, as well as the problems that both the contemporary public and police agencies face today. Finally, this project will highlight several proposed solutions to curb the increasing prevalence of police militarization, specifically as it pertains to agency administration. Militarized Police: A Growing Epidemic Eric Reed Liberty University Every day across the United States, tens of thousands of police officers and federal agents put their lives on the line to serve their communities and their country. They face a myriad of threats that could reveal themselves at any given moment, and it's impossible to predict what the next day of work holds for these men and women. The key to survival is to be well-prepared for any situation; as such, it is of utmost importance that our officers and agents have access to the protection and tools they need to deal with and adapt to the ever-changing force of...
Words: 3292 - Pages: 14
...organizations are vital in keeping pace with societal change and combating crime. Some recent trends are the privatization and militarization of criminal justice organizations. In this writing, I will discuss and attempt to compare these trends with current criminal justice organizations. The privatization of criminal justice organizations stems from the idea that awarding contracts to private companies that could run such services efficiently and effectively would potentially save and even earn the government money. (Nichols, 2010) To understand privatized policing we must first differentiate between police and private security force. Although both function as public safety officials and the duties performed are similar, they are two separate entities. “The term police typically refers to sworn officers working as members of the executive branch of government rather than to private security agents or agencies.” (Forst, p. 22, 2000) A private security agency while serving in the same capacity as a police officer is defined differently. The private security term refers to “non governmentally provided services and products used to protect the lives and property of commercial and residential patrons against crime.” (Forst, p. 22, 2000) The most notable differences between police officers and private security agents would be that the police are sworn-in officers working as members of the...
Words: 1172 - Pages: 5
...Militarization of Peace Officers Jose J. Silva Gonzalez COMM/215 08 September 2014 John Cantlon Lately there has been talk of the militarization of peace officers all over the news and social media. There have been reports everywhere about police using excessive force, deaths of unarmed civilians and home raids in the middle of the night. While I strongly believe there is no order without those people risking their lives everyday to try and make a change in the world they live in I also believe there is some that make that very hard for the people who actually do their job and protect the people by abusing their power and corrupting the system. Too much of everything is never a good thing, I do not believe it is right to provide peace officers and SWAT teams equipment fabricated for war and destruction to uphold the law inside of the United States, our homeland! Surprisingly after researching the web I did not find much credible information on this subject, which is pretty surprising because of the fact that this is all over the social media. The most information I found was on news channel websites, that will have to do for now. According to CNN new, “The DLA's law enforcement support program was created in 1999. "This is a program legislated by Congress which allows the secretary to transfer some excess military property to local law enforcements," said Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby on Tuesday. “ The Defense Logistics Agency or DLA is kind of like an auction...
Words: 876 - Pages: 4
...event of market failure may be difficult. Differences between the goals of public governmental and private commercial organizations, as well as difficulties in monitoring performance, create the risk that the management of privatized criminal justice may be subordinate to public policy. Several guidelines are offered to minimize the risks while obtaining the advantages of criminal justice privatization (Shicor & Gilbert, 2002). Militarization Despite historical efforts to make laws that enforce this distinction, during the past four decades domestic policing in the United States has become increasingly militarized. Domestic law enforcement has taken on the characteristics of the armed forces by engaging in military-style training, acquiring military weapons, and utilizing military tactics in everyday operations. To illustrate this militarization, consider the number of state and local law enforcement agencies that have acquired and maintained police paramilitary units (PPUs) or special weapons and tactics (SWAT) units. In 1982, 59 percent of police departments employed a PPU. By 1990, 78 percent of departments had a PPU, and by 1995, the portion had...
Words: 989 - Pages: 4
...3:With various forms of thing technology (CCTV, cameras that detect speeders, wired courts, electronic monitoring, supermax prisons, etc.). FOR EXAMPLE why do we need police officers patrolling the streets (and highways) when we have the technological resources (via cameras to detect speeders and red light violations, and CCTV to monitor public places) to remotely monitor activities and deploy a smaller number of police to address crime problems that are detected? The downsizing of police force manpower may be an inevitable consequence of this type of technological innovation, which is one reason that technological change may be viewed suspiciously by line personnel and the unions that represent their interests. Similar scenarios can be...
Words: 1192 - Pages: 5
...of individuals seemingly prone to criminal behavior has mushroomed with the interconnection of the Internet to include the largest age range of criminal activity, with the most erratic demographics, on a worldwide basis. In this report, we will look at how practical jokes in the digital age are squandering tax dollars, and introducing a new kind of risk for traditional police forces and forcing the call for awareness and action against cyber criminals. Trending in today’s cyber world is a hoax mentality that is finding victims from frightened high-school students to high profile celebrities, and politicians, to video gamers who play live on the Internet, into an instantaneous public spectacle. Swatting is a type of prank calling or messaging where the person calls the police or a school reporting an alarming crime, such as a shooting or a bomb threat, which triggers massive police responses that are frequently described as highly trained Paramilitary swat operations. “The sick joke, known as swatting, takes advantage of the 911 system by painting the scene of an unfolding crime so heinous that local police forces often unleash the full might of their paramilitary units upon an unsuspecting household. It has occurred hundreds of times over the past decade, costing taxpayers up to $10,000 each time the cavalry rolls in” (Coburn, 2013). History of Prank’ers With a traceable history that spans, at the very...
Words: 1279 - Pages: 6
...at crime. Police have always responded to crime, that is the belief and that has always been their job. What happens, though, when provided with an idea that expresses that crime can be more preventative just by looking at and involving the community to participate? Policing traditionally has always been a response unit, providing its’ service after the fact (after a crime has happened). The broken windows theory counters that traditional style by looking outside of the traditional criminal justice system to see how crime is generated and solutions to fix and prevent it (Trojanowics, 1994). The broken windows theory has views closely related to community policing: The quality of life, as the ultimate goal of policing (Carter & Sapp 1994; Joseph 1994; Kelling and Coles 1996; Skogan 1990; Trojanowics 1994). This type of policing has broadened the goal to assist communities to maintain a safe environment where basic institutions (families, schools, churches, commerce) can effectively operate and thrive within the community (Kelling and Coles 1996). Apprehending criminals is no longer the only focus among law enforcement. Police and their agencies must now adapt to look at what needs to be done to maintain the quality of life in communities as well as alleviate citizen fear of crime. To prevent community decline and crime police agencies must us the strategic measure of disorder control. Legitimacy refers to the judgments that the citizens make about police authority...
Words: 5063 - Pages: 21
...Police in the US have come under a great amount of scrutiny recently due to the Ferguson and NY police incidents. With this scrutiny comes the realization by Americans that our police forces are getting into a different style of policing. As a country, the US has become so worried about terrorist and other such attacks that there has been more militarization of the police in the United States. Other countries around the world share similar ideas about terrorism as the U.S. does, using their police to help the military combat terrorism. However, could this possibly be making just giant military forces? The world jokes that the U.S. are the world’s police that our military is always around when it’s needed. With this comparison, the world already sees us as a country of...
Words: 622 - Pages: 3
...Assignment On Bangladesh Police System Course Title: Criminology Course Code: LLB2321 Submitted To: Md.Gaziur Rahman Lecturer of Law, NUB Khulna Campus Prepared By : Mahbuba Sultana ID: LLB080160227 Section: 9A Semester: Fall Date of submission:03 october 2011 NORTHERN UNIVERSITY B A N G L A D E S H CONTENTS ❖ Introduction ❖ Meaning of Police ❖ Definition of police ❖ Bangladesh Police ❖ History of Bangladesh Police ❖ Laws Governing the Bangladesh Police ❖ Organisation of Bangladesh Police ❖ Strength ❖ Community Policing in Bangladesh ❖ Women in Bangladesh Police ❖ Selection and Training ❖ Vehicles used by Bangladesh Police ❖ Actual Scene of BD police ❖ Weapons ❖ Contribution to UN Peace Keeping Operations ❖ Powers as a Police Officer ❖ Role, Functions and Duties of the Police in General ❖ Preventive Action of the Police Recent Highlights in Bangladesh ❖ Emergency and national security laws ❖ Corruption and Transparency ❖ Overview of arbitrary detention practices around Asia ❖ Failing justice systems and lack of democratic space ❖ Conclusion Introduction: The police have a vital role to play in maintaining internal law and order and establishing the rule of law in the country...
Words: 11252 - Pages: 46
...Drama Script Term 3, 2011 Draft A man is seen sitting at a table with his left hand in handcuffs, strapped to the leg of the table. He is wearing a plain white shirt, with dirt stains and splatters of blood spread across it and his hair is shaggy. There is a single light beaming down on the table and nowhere else, darkness surrounding him. The man looks slowly around the room, looking confused. The man then looks straight ahead where another man (Tom) enters, with a plain folder tucked under his right arm and a coffee mug in the other hand. The second man, a police detective, is wearing black pants, a white work shirt with the back hanging out and a tie, slightly pulled down. The detective sits down and sips the coffee mug, then wipes his mouth and places the mug down beside the folder with the name: Kevin POLLAK written on the cover. The detective opens the folder and begins flipping pages very slowly, and frequently looks back at some of the pages he has browsed. The man continues to look down at the folder for 15 more seconds while Kevin looks around the room nervously. DETECTIVE If you are looking for that bloody mirror, then look no further then to your left. Kevin turns to his left and stares blankly at it for several seconds. Kevin then looks down at his handcuffed wrist for several more seconds. The detective closes Kevin’s folder and sips the coffee mug again. Kevin looks up at the detective and the detective does the same. DETECTIVE You are my...
Words: 623 - Pages: 3
...Crime Comparison Paper Christopher Shavers CJA 314 October 3, 2012 Michael Rutledge, Facilitator Crime Comparison Paper Introduction Hate crimes within the United States have become increasingly rampant. The federal government has established hate crime laws in each state except Wyoming. Each state has different definitions of what constitutes hate crimes. The most commonly known hate crimes consist of race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. Most of these crimes are committed by assailants who physically assault their victims. Many victims are also subject to have their property vandalized. (Nij, 2010). This paper will compare hate crime data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report on hate crimes that have been committed in Florida and Georgia during 2010. According to the FBI Uniform crime report, Gainesville Florida had the largest number of reported incidents out of the all the state enforcement agencies during the year 2010. There were a total of 136 incidents reported in the state of Florida. In Georgia seven law enforcement agencies submitted incidents totaling seventeen crimes. Gainesville Florida had a total of eleven incidents of hate crimes. The crimes were motivated by race, religion, and sexual orientation. Three of the incidents were motivated by race, four was motivated by religion, and two each was motivated by sexual orientation and ethnicity. The most occurrences of hate crimes occurred during the second quarter of the fiscal...
Words: 689 - Pages: 3
