08-21-2014, 12:40 AM
The problem is not the vehicles given to local agencies it's how they use them. It's very conceivable that a local agency might have an incident in which an armored vehicle would be very appropriate. Such incidents are thankfully rare. It's also true that the MRAP is a bit of overkill in most likely situations where an armored vehicle would be appropriate, but the MRAP will ably fulfill those roles except for PR purposes. There are more appropriate purpose built vehicles for civilian police use that provide armored capabilities for those rare incidents that call for their use, but they are extremely expensive and well out of the affordability range for most agencies. The MRAPs are essentially free.
The real problem is not the vehicles but how they are used. They should only be utilized where necessary, e.g. armed barricaded suspects. Whoever ordered the St.Louis County PD to show up at the Ferguson incident in the MRAP with a belt fed machine gun mounted and manned needs to have his/her head examined.
The same can be said of SWAT. A great tool but very often over used. A complicating issue there is that using SWAT for a lot of stuff where it isn't really necessary is pretty much free training. They get to employ their tactics while performing a duty that would otherwise require other officers that are then free to continue routine duties. Unfortunately, while understandable and making monetary sense, it's bad PR and otherwise wrong and bad for the Country in general, IMHO.
Point being, these are valuable tools that should not be taken away from our police agencies. However, it is valid to criticize how frequently they are implemented and for what purposes. When these tools are overused or misused by civilian police agencies, including Hawaii's local PDs, they should be held accountable. Yes it is valid for the mayor, the Police Commission and the public to demand accountability. They should aalso demand to see what the written policy is for the use of these tools. However, please don't take away the tools. Those tools can save lives when available when needed. Has the PD misused the vehicle they have? If you haven't seen or heard from it they probably aren't.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
The real problem is not the vehicles but how they are used. They should only be utilized where necessary, e.g. armed barricaded suspects. Whoever ordered the St.Louis County PD to show up at the Ferguson incident in the MRAP with a belt fed machine gun mounted and manned needs to have his/her head examined.
The same can be said of SWAT. A great tool but very often over used. A complicating issue there is that using SWAT for a lot of stuff where it isn't really necessary is pretty much free training. They get to employ their tactics while performing a duty that would otherwise require other officers that are then free to continue routine duties. Unfortunately, while understandable and making monetary sense, it's bad PR and otherwise wrong and bad for the Country in general, IMHO.
Point being, these are valuable tools that should not be taken away from our police agencies. However, it is valid to criticize how frequently they are implemented and for what purposes. When these tools are overused or misused by civilian police agencies, including Hawaii's local PDs, they should be held accountable. Yes it is valid for the mayor, the Police Commission and the public to demand accountability. They should aalso demand to see what the written policy is for the use of these tools. However, please don't take away the tools. Those tools can save lives when available when needed. Has the PD misused the vehicle they have? If you haven't seen or heard from it they probably aren't.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
S. FL
Big Islander to be.