How militarized is your police department? Find out at this website.

[GerSan69]

If I may say this: this "militarization of the police" story is a prime example of making the facts fit a story. In my 35 years in the cop suit, I was never issued anything military. I doubt many cops are.
The government has been selling or giving away equipment for ages. For instance, how many places got Tommy guns back in the old days? How about the Civilian Marksmanship Program? Army surplus stores?
Cops using armored cars has been around since at least the 1920's - why is it all of a sudden a "Big Deal"? It's just plain silly. The current crop of armored vehicles are nothing more than new and improved versions of what's been used for decades.
Not saying every cop is a perfect being or a supporter of the 2d. There are plenty of Garry McCarthys out there. (Why do they seem to have more anti-gun cops back East, by the way?) But they aren't ALL like that, and I for one will take every opportunity to make that point.
The bottom line to every cop I've ever met is that they simply want to get home after every shift without any new holes in the ol' birthday suit. They're first and foremost just people, like the rest of us, and they're doing a job that most people just do not want to do. If a means of protecting themselves in a society that is more and more out of control is available, let them have it.

 

[FishingPilot]

this list is not very accurate or up to date maybe. Our town received an MRAP a while back that's not on that list. There was a write up in the paper about it during the Ferguson 'uprising'. The town promised to never use it against the 'civilians' but only to help the 'civilians' during times of emergencies or to rescue someone.

 

[WuzzFuzz]

HeeHeeHee,,,,,You mentioned receiving surplus "Tommy Guns". Our dept got some, they were kept down in the property room...Rusted away....No one ever cleaned them, or took them out to shoot them.....Don't know what ever happened to them...Maybe their still there??????


WuzzFuzz

 

[THE PILGRIM]

HeeHeeHee,,,,,You mentioned receiving surplus "Tommy Guns". Our dept got some, they were kept down in the property room...Rusted away....No one ever cleaned them, or took them out to shoot them.....Don't know what ever happened to them...Maybe their still there??????

The nicest Tommy Gun that I ever handled was civilian model with drum magazines. It belonged to the Carlsbad, NM police dept and it was in excellent near new condition.

 

[Rule3]

If I may say this: this "militarization of the police" story is a prime example of making the facts fit a story. In my 35 years in the cop suit, I was never issued anything military. I doubt many cops are.
The government has been selling or giving away equipment for ages. For instance, how many places got Tommy guns back in the old days? How about the Civilian Marksmanship Program? Army surplus stores?
Cops using armored cars has been around since at least the 1920's - why is it all of a sudden a "Big Deal"? It's just plain silly. The current crop of armored vehicles are nothing more than new and improved versions of what's been used for decades.
Not saying every cop is a perfect being or a supporter of the 2d. There are plenty of Garry McCarthys out there. (Why do they seem to have more anti-gun cops back East, by the way?) But they aren't ALL like that, and I for one will take every opportunity to make that point.
The bottom line to every cop I've ever met is that they simply want to get home after every shift without any new holes in the ol' birthday suit. They're first and foremost just people, like the rest of us, and they're doing a job that most people just do not want to do. If a means of protecting themselves in a society that is more and more out of control is available, let them have it.

Like we really need close to a million dollar mine resistant vehicle?? What the hell for?
Most of the Sheriffs fleet of cars are run down and on their last legs. I think the Deputies would rather have a newer car.

Or actually receive a living wage as they are quitting in droves to go over one County to be paid a lot more and have less crime. But our Sheriff is King and thou shall not cross him.

 

[Straightshooter2]

Here in West Hollywood we got a $500,000 rainbow colored tank that shoots...600 pairs of high heel combat boots.

I bet there will be a scramble for those.

According to the list, Clayton County got 60 5.56 rifles and 60 7.62 rifles and 6 .45 Autos. I'm a little surprised they haven't asked for or received more considering the majority of the Atlanta Airport is actually in Clayton. I guess they figure if something happens at the airport, Atlanta PD can have all the fun.

CW

 

[A10]

King County has 67 cold weather jackets for their officers, 188 bayonets, and 171 modular sleep systems. Not quite sure what to make of that! Also 25 Rifleman sets (maybe large loop Winchester 92s?). They list 2 reels of rope (perhaps a bit of roadside justice?), and one solid rubber sheet (now I'm gettin' scared!).

 

[X Ring Ranch]

Years ago our department received a "Beaver"plane. Stayed in a hanger for 30 years and they later sold it for BIG BUCKS to a collector.

I noticed our county received numerous 7.62x51 rifles. Surely those are not M14's. I recall during the Clinton era they were all taken up and destroyed. ??????

The National Guard units in Texas were ordered to turn them in.

 

[italiansport]

The people doing rescues in Arizona right now during the flooding might not agree with your outlook on how MRAPs have to be used.

I know the Maricopa Sheriffs Dept. picked up a couple of those mine vehicles. With the rugged terrain here in Arizona and the flash flooding they would be very useful. A friend down in Pinal County Dad had to be pulled out by the Sheriffs Dept there yesterday and they used some type of military surplus vehicle to do it.
Jim

 

[GerSan69]

Like we really need close to a million dollar mine resistant vehicle?? What the hell for?
Most of the Sheriffs fleet of cars are run down and on their last legs. I think the Deputies would rather have a newer car.

Or actually receive a living wage as they are quitting in droves to go over one County to be paid a lot more and have less crime. But our Sheriff is King and thou shall not cross him.

We're talking surplus. It doesn't cost the locals a million for one of these vehicles. And they don't get to trade it away to buy more cars. Most cops would likely say they'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Just like you would with your own stash of stuff.
Anyway, if you have to ask, "What the hell for?", there's not much else I can tell you.

 

[vonn]

It is a tough call in today's world.

Like all of you, I certainly do not want to see an armored vehicle blocking my driveway with a loudspeaker demanding that I relinquish all firearms after a hurricane.

However, picture this-
Newsflash is reporting two local schools have been seized by terrorists threatening to blow them up with all the students unless Achmed el Badguy is released from Gitmo by noon.
There are also reports of another heavily armed group in the vicinity of YOUR kid's school.
How do you feel now about the cops having an armored vehicle to place at YOUR kid's school?

Farfetched?
Sure it is.
It is as farfetched as flying airplanes into skyscrapers on purpose.
How many times had you ever expected THAT?

Beslan school hostage crisis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I understand your feelings and I agree with you but I think we have far more paramilitary police units than are needed for public safety.

 

[Hellraiser]

Our poleece is so militarized... their momma's wear combat boots.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I really don't care either way as long as they use the stuff legally and use some common sense.

 

[Maze 686]

I undgerstand your feelings and I agree with you but I think we have far more paramilitary police units than are needed for public safety.

All of law enforcement is and has always been paramilitary.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'm a little bit PO'ed that Rabun County GA has been getting 1911's over the last couple of years...and our departments on this side of the knob haven't been getting their fair share.

I'm all for sheriff departments arming up.
Gotta be ready for Yankees.

 

[Ranger514]

Federal agencies with LE divisions have been able to get military surplus for some time. When I came to my former agency in 2000, they had eight old Vietnam-era A1 configured M-16s converted to semi-auto only that had been in their armory since some time in the late 1980s or early 90s. It was the first time I'd seen a lower stamped "Hydra Matic...A Division of GM." Those carbines are still in service.

I just read where my SD county (Pennington) received an armored personnel carrier, as well as a number of 7.62 and 5.56 firearms. The county and Rapid City share SWAT responsibilities. We also have a local National Guard Camp located inside the city limits. I think we've got it covered. Last summer, SWAT used the armored carrier to safely transport officers during a hostage standoff that involved an armed man who barricaded himself with a four year old child. Nobody was hurt when the BG gave up.

 

[Faulkner]

Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1960

Personally, I don't think an MRAP is going to do a lot of good in a hostage situation or an IED placed in a crowd of people like the Boston marathon. Most of this gear is pretty innocuous, including the rifles, but those armored vehicles were designed for the battlefield. Those things should be given to the nat'l guard, the local police don't need them. This isn't northern Ireland just yet.

Ferguson aside, you may not have seen the recent videos of teen gang members roaming the streets in places like Memphis randomly beating the snot out of innocent folks.

 

[David LaPell]

One MRAP and two Humvees.

 

[Smith357]

When I came to my former agency in 2000, they had eight old Vietnam-era A1 configured M-16s converted to semi-auto only that had been in their armory since some time in the late 1980s or early 90s. It was the first time I'd seen a lower stamped "Hydra Matic...A Division of GM."

My M-16a1 in 1979 was a chevy, I also saw H&R, and Colt . Try as I might I never saw one marked Mattel.

 

[jbull380]

I think somewhere along the line people started thinking we officers should only engage in fights on equal or lesser terms with equal or lesser weapons. I'd kinda like to go home at the end of the shift.