It was all about the militarization of police departments and the problems that have arose from it. It was really interesting. Any thoughts?
It was all about the militarization of police departments and the problems that have arose from it. It was really interesting. Any thoughts?
Will it rerun soon? I would like to catch it.
It looks like it is on PBS' site. I added it to my watch list. Looks interesting.
I'd like to catch it.
The reason cops today can't be like Andy Taylor is because criminals today aren't like Otis.
spitfirebill said: The reason cops today can't be like Andy Taylor is because criminals today aren't like Otis.
I don't think cops or criminals were ever like that outside of someone's made for TV fantasy. There is enough practically legendary violence spread over our nation's entire history to dispel that notion...
I think de-militarizing the police (at least those the general public routinely encounters) would solve some real problems though. I'll leave it at that.
It was good, really good. I expected it to be anti-police but that is not what it was. It was against the lack of accountability for SWAT and special ops that seems to be acceptable to the police. You should watch it!
Edit: comment above reminded me of a section where they showed a warrant being served (from a chest can) where they showed up at night started shouting "police warrant" over and over then busted down the door. Guy inside has a golf club and they shoot him three times. Self defense, thought he had a sword etc... The other side said if they would have knocked and allowed someone to respond it might not have needed to escalate to that point on a warrant for a non-violent crime.
I see both sides but there are heightened tensions around what appears to be escalating violence from the Police in the war on xxxx and I'm not sure its the right thing. Thought provoking.
Cops today are scared. Scared of swords. Scared of dogs. Scared of mentally ill. Scared of an increasingly heavily armed society. Scared of kids.
When you hear of cops getting ambushed by thugs on the street or anti-government types out in the sticks, it's no wonder they are scared. You cant expect even the most battle hardened and moralistic person to always think with a clear head when he's got kids at home.
Do we put them in high-tech body armor that allows to withstand gunshots at close range? Are you comfortable with a cop approaching your car for a routine traffic stop wearing a helmet and "battle gear" in order to protect himself? Would you rather his robotic partner approach the car first? Robocop sounds ridiculous, but if cops keep killing innocent people and crooks keep killing innocent cops, is it really that bad of an idea to have Johnny-Five-O?
chandlerGTi wrote: Edit: comment above reminded me of a section where they showed a warrant being served (from a chest can) where they showed up at night started shouting "police warrant" over and over then busted down the door. Guy inside has a golf club and they shoot him three times. Self defense, thought he had a sword etc... The other side said if they would have knocked and allowed someone to respond it might not have needed to escalate to that point on a warrant for a non-violent crime.
At least where I live, law enforcement will not break doors to arrest even for a violent or non-violent crime. I can't help but think there was more to that than executing an arrest warrant for a drug offense, etc. What exactly is supposed to happen when the police knock and announce that they have a warrant they would like to execute? Everyone inside prepares to surrender?
In reply to mattmacklind:
Well, one case on the show had a case of mistaken identity. They just went to the wrong persons house. If they would have knocked it could have easily been cleared up with no danger. Another showed a guy that where a cop got shot (it was argued as to whether it was friendly fire or the resident shooting that got him) but it was stated that the resident worked third shift, if they had waited twenty minutes they could have got him as he was walking out to his car to get to work. This was over the fact that he had pot growing in his basement. There wasn't even any evidence of any sales. It seems to me that as many lives are at stake in these it would be worth putting in a little effort to find the safest way possible to get through the situation. Sure, there are times when a knock on the door might lead to a person arming and barricading themselves, but I don't think that would be the norm. Maybe it gives a person a chance to flush evidence, but if everybody survives the situation that is a net positive. Imagine you are laying in bed and get awoke to a couple loud knocks, them the sound of your door getting kicked in. Youre scared and disoriented, what is your natural reaction going to be? Is it lay in bed with your hands up? I think most people would grab whatever weapon they have at their disposal and head for the door. I would. Then they get killed and possibly a cop gets killed. I think its unnecessary in a lot of instances. If its a situation where someone is imminent danger then thats one thing, but not for a guy growing pot in his basement. A cutting torch and sledge hammer are great tools, but they aren't for every job. These no knock raids are the same way.
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