EricC85, I can usually agree or understand most of your talking points in this forum, but it's not the case when it comes to this topic.

 

The threat that police have to face in today's society is vastly different from when I wore the uniform (late 80's).  Today people have the information and communication at their fingertips (internet/smartphones) that gives them a tactical advantage when it comes to domestic violence/terrorism.  It is also far too easy to obtain serious weaponry via the black market.  Being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to giving our police the tools needed to address potential threats is not a bad thing.

 

Also, I'll let you in on a little secret.  Military tactics/training/weapons/techniques has been taught to police even as far back as when I was a police officer.  I had the opportunity to train with our department's Rapid Response Unit (SWAT team).  Guess where our training took place?  Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM.  There were multiple police agencies that participated from both the State of New Mexico as well as police from out-of-state.  Guess who conducted the training?  Instructors from the DOD that also train military police and special forces.

 

I get that you are for smaller government and personal responsibility.  In most cases I can agree.  However, there are some cases where government needs to be depended on to ensure certain things.

 

You strike me as someone who has a problem with police because you think that they have so much "power and authority" over you.  The fact is that they don't.  I would even go out on a limb and say that police actually lose power and authority because of the liability issue that they face each and every time they make a decision.  When I refer to putting the uniform on makes a police officer a target, it's not just about violence against the officer.  The possibility of civil action is a very real and very common threat, and one that is not publicized very often.  It does happen.

 

As a military veteran, I view police officers, firefighters and paramedics the same way that I view my current and former brothers and sisters of our armed forces.

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