111–119 of 119 posts
Perhaps they should take the idea of interesting and different design and decouple it from the militaristic attitude, and they'd be on to something.
To be clear, this is NOT the official website, thank God. It is their PR site that was designed pro bono by an ad agency. They still have a standard website, ugly, but with actual information and not just visuals. http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/milwaukee-unveils-worlds-best-...
good info, but tangentially...since when are cop's having PR websites?!
I grew up in on the east side of Milwaukee, moved to Chicago and now live in NYC. With each move the police grew progressively more militarized. I always felt it, but obvious when I was travelling in Italy over the summer. I noted how unassuming and calm the Italian police were. Parts of Milwaukee, can be very rough but I don't think the police looking and acting like paratroopers is the answer to staving social unre…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I live in a small Pennsylvania borough with an operating budget of about $1 mil/year (this includes all services for the entire borough of 3-4 precincts). Our police department is 8 full-time officers and 3 part-time officers with I believe 2 full-time admin/support staff in the office. We have 5 cruisers, 4 SUVs and at the last borough council meeting the council approved the purchase of a 6th brand new cruiser and…
Because America. Well .. because politics, because 9/11, because War On Drugs. new fleet of AR-15 style rifles Most police officers are better armed and equipped for patrol than I was when I was on sentry duty at Marine Barracks in the 80s. Something is amiss here.
Also, in the event that you did, how far away was your nearest armed support? Sixty seconds? Less?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I live in Melbourne Australia and I have got to say, this is the first reaction I had as well. The imagery used on their website was frankly shocking. My first response was "WTF! Is this really how Americans see their police? Is their job to charge round shooting people?" Compare and contrast the pictures used on the 'about' page of the Victoria police website: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=3 W…
It is not so much how Americans see their police. It is more a case of how America's local police forces see themselves. The militarization of local law enforcement is a long term trend which began in the 1970's. At the time it was portrayed in a popular TV drama, Los Angeles's Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team arose as a tool for a massive metropolitan area. Today, even small towns have trained snipers. The we…
I disagree. It wouldn't attract young adults with fantasies of paramilitary action and an urge to wear uniform and wave guns around. There are many other kinds of young adults who will be attracted by the idea of responsible public service and being a helpful part of the community. Clearly, the decision has been made about which kind of recruit to attract; ironically, exactly the kind of person I'd least like to have authority and weapons.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Because America. Well .. because politics, because 9/11, because War On Drugs. new fleet of AR-15 style rifles Most police officers are better armed and equipped for patrol than I was when I was on sentry duty at Marine Barracks in the 80s. Something is amiss here.
During all your years on sentry duty, how often did you find yourself in situations where you needed to shoot someone? Do the police find themselves in that situation more frequently (or are they significantly more likely to)? Also, in the event that you did, how far away was your nearest armed support? Sixty seconds? Less?
Three times in 2 3/4 years I had a weapon drawn, round in the chamber.
Twice I did not have a target. Once, I did but he obligingly put his hands up when ordered.
how far away was your nearest armed support? Sixty seconds? Less?
Depended on the sentry post, other factors. Sometimes right behind me. Other times minutes away, at best.
If your point is that police are more likely to encounter bad guys than a Marine guarding strategic assets .. maybe.
How does the police department owning a armored personnel carrier help a patrol officer at a traffic stop? How often does your average Mayberry police department encounter bad guys who can only be overcome by a SWAT team?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
During all your years on sentry duty, how often did you find yourself in situations where you needed to shoot someone? Do the police find themselves in that situation more frequently (or are they significantly more likely to)? Also, in the event that you did, how far away was your nearest armed support? Sixty seconds? Less?
'Needed' might be the wrong word. Three times in 2 3/4 years I had a weapon drawn, round in the chamber. Twice I did not have a target. Once, I did but he obligingly put his hands up when ordered. how far away was your nearest armed support? Sixty seconds? Less? Depended on the sentry post, other factors. Sometimes right behind me. Other times minutes away, at best. If your point is that police are more likely to enc…
And how does the USN carrying nuclear weapons help you check passes at the gate?
That aside, yes, my suggestion was that the police are more likely to need the firepower than you were, and were more likely to have to get by on their own for longer before support turned up.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
'Needed' might be the wrong word. Three times in 2 3/4 years I had a weapon drawn, round in the chamber. Twice I did not have a target. Once, I did but he obligingly put his hands up when ordered. how far away was your nearest armed support? Sixty seconds? Less? Depended on the sentry post, other factors. Sometimes right behind me. Other times minutes away, at best. If your point is that police are more likely to enc…
"How does the police department owning a armored personnel carrier help a patrol officer at a traffic stop?" And how does the USN carrying nuclear weapons help you check passes at the gate? That aside, yes, my suggestion was that the police are more likely to need the firepower than you were, and were more likely to have to get by on their own for longer before support turned up.
I've had 'most' cops beat by the time I was 21 and I wasn't even trying.