Posted on Apr 15, 2015
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Yesterday, I was driving in Myrtle Beach, SC and saw a Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) MRAP all decked out with police hardware. I found it amusing but troubling at the same time. I mean seriously? I didn't flip it off, but seeing it left me with more questions than answers:
1. Why does the Myrtle Beach Police Dept (MBPD) need a mine resistant vehicle?
2. While it may have been given free as part of a gov't surplus program aimed at protecting our police officers, were any strings attached?
3. Should these vehicles have been given to the National Guard rather than the local police forces?
4. In the long run, are we not fiscally better off using squadcars and motorcycles and calling in the National Guard to work with the police when the situation warrants?
5. Does this militarization of local law enforcement cause the police to power trip and react differently, and treat the public as the enemy?
What are your thoughts on this?
1. Why does the Myrtle Beach Police Dept (MBPD) need a mine resistant vehicle?
2. While it may have been given free as part of a gov't surplus program aimed at protecting our police officers, were any strings attached?
3. Should these vehicles have been given to the National Guard rather than the local police forces?
4. In the long run, are we not fiscally better off using squadcars and motorcycles and calling in the National Guard to work with the police when the situation warrants?
5. Does this militarization of local law enforcement cause the police to power trip and react differently, and treat the public as the enemy?
What are your thoughts on this?
Posted in these groups: 
Police
Law Enforcement
Police Law Enforcement
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 44
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Not knowing the full scope I do think there is some coat riding going on here especially with all the gear being olive drab. Also I've seen embedded reporters with less tac gear. I've seen more and more police in green instead of blue. Maybe they are trying to make a statement that its a war on the streets. Not sure.
It makes me wonder if this a prior service thing or a "listen to my authority" thing.
What better way to not fan the flames of a riot than to roll out of a Styker all Tac'ed out.
It makes me wonder if this a prior service thing or a "listen to my authority" thing.
What better way to not fan the flames of a riot than to roll out of a Styker all Tac'ed out.
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SPC David S.
Audie Murphy or Andy Griffith. Since 1990, $4.2 billion worth of equipment has been transferred from the Defense Department to domestic police agencies through the 1033 program, in addition to various other programs supposedly aimed at fighting the so-called War on Drugs and War on Terror. However I'd like to see the training records of such equipment. I think all this gear is not only effected their external look, I also think it is changing their mindset. From the police perspective I can see its to protect police, however from a civilian perspective is made to kill and destroy. I don't think LE is getting the non verbal message being put out.
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This was a dumba$$ move by the Federal government to reuse military hardware that should have been in the Guard/Reserve system.
Civilians should be concerned, it is not appropriate for ordinary police use. Perhaps 2-4 maintained at the State level for SWAT situations. We have enough paranoid people, these MRAPs used by police add to the stupidness.
Civilians should be concerned, it is not appropriate for ordinary police use. Perhaps 2-4 maintained at the State level for SWAT situations. We have enough paranoid people, these MRAPs used by police add to the stupidness.
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MSG David Stichter
It is all about response time in these situations. If you have someone shooting in your community, getting an MRAP or Bearcat from some state depot will take hours if not a whole day. Most incidents are done in 20 minutes or less if an active shooter or under 2 hours if it is a barricaded suspect.
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Capt Jeff S.
In areas like New York City, Detroit, Chicago, where the likelihood of gang violence and/or run-ins with organized crime armed to the teeth with automatic weapons and armor piercing bullets is high, I can see maintaining a couple of these vehicles. But I would not make a habit of patrolling with them.
Would you rather be protected by these Joe Supercops, who strut around like they're all that and a bag of CHIPS writing perps traffic tickets from their APCs? Personally, I'd much rather have cops like Andy Griffith than these power tripping wannabe Rangers.
Would you rather be protected by these Joe Supercops, who strut around like they're all that and a bag of CHIPS writing perps traffic tickets from their APCs? Personally, I'd much rather have cops like Andy Griffith than these power tripping wannabe Rangers.
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Sorry, but no police force needs to be running around in ACU/ABUS/Multicams... carrying military grade weapons driving military vehicles... we already have people to do that. If the situation is that dire (and in Myrtle Beach none the less) that they need that kind of equipment, then the National Guard needs to be involved.
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Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) should have these types of vehicles and better weapon systems available to them. That being said, I wouldn't recommend routine patrols in them. The punk in the video was just being an instigating jackass.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Just because someone incited a riot, doesn't give a person the right to riot.
"Them's Fightin' Words!" is no excuse to be a jacknut in an MRAP.
"Them's Fightin' Words!" is no excuse to be a jacknut in an MRAP.
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While I can see a use for SWAT especially in large cities like LA and Detroit, I fail to see why Ohio State Campus Police need or have a justified use for an MRAP.
Not as much concerned about LEO's getting military grade small arms as I am changes in training and procedures. Specifically the dramatic increase in the use of no-knock warrants and constitutionally questionable searches. No-Knock warrants used to be primarily used in drug raids, then start including high risk warrants to now a days they are used even for low risk warrants. Which has resulted in more shootings (both of police officers and suspects and in some cases complete innocents).
Please do not misunderstand me, I fully support LEO's and their mission. Theirs is a difficult job with little appreciation.
However I have concern when you see incidents like what happened in Boston after the marathon bombing where law enforcement was forcibly entering homes to search for the suspects without probable cause (that the perps where in that home) or a warrant. I understand the emotional response is to do whatever it takes to apprehend the perpetrators, but shouldn't there be a legal line for which constitutional rights are preserved? There are some interesting arguments for and against this all over the web.
The whole situation reminds me of a quote from Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"
Not as much concerned about LEO's getting military grade small arms as I am changes in training and procedures. Specifically the dramatic increase in the use of no-knock warrants and constitutionally questionable searches. No-Knock warrants used to be primarily used in drug raids, then start including high risk warrants to now a days they are used even for low risk warrants. Which has resulted in more shootings (both of police officers and suspects and in some cases complete innocents).
Please do not misunderstand me, I fully support LEO's and their mission. Theirs is a difficult job with little appreciation.
However I have concern when you see incidents like what happened in Boston after the marathon bombing where law enforcement was forcibly entering homes to search for the suspects without probable cause (that the perps where in that home) or a warrant. I understand the emotional response is to do whatever it takes to apprehend the perpetrators, but shouldn't there be a legal line for which constitutional rights are preserved? There are some interesting arguments for and against this all over the web.
The whole situation reminds me of a quote from Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"
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"If it's free, it's for me." That's what I think is driving local and state cops getting this stuff. There is no reason for it, and it's not a vast conspiracy. Ever noticed how long the line is for free slurpee day at 7-11, or free ANYTHING...even stuff no one really wants? Free (or very cheap) stuff makes people stupid.
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I think the MRAP can be a tool, but it has to be handled appropriately. This is a POPO (pissed off police officer) making his rational up on the spot. Listen to the voice tremors. He's just screwing with this guy. Also, from a safety perspective, keeping him between the vehicles is extremely dangerous during the stop. If the MRAP slips the brake (it is running so I don't know what safeguards there are) both subjects can be crushed. I've seen accidents like this on active duty and they aren't pretty. He should have been made to stand on the sidewalk for safety. Also, I'm confident that Sheriff's Office will put our a memo that only patrol officers on routine patrol will perform routine traffic stops. Glad the citizen video taped this so the SO can have a chance to change protocols. This is how we learn and improve things.
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I don't think its any kind of conspiracy - it's just a bad idea. Police need police tools, warfighters need war-tools. They are not the same.
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It's a misguided quid pro quo effort on the behalf of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to transfer excess military equipment from the Department of Defense (DOD) to County and Municipal law enforcement agencies which have been eager to get their hands on tactical gear to expand their SWAT/tactical response capabilities in the wake of mass-shootings and terror attacks such as the Boston Marathon bombing of 2013. The red herring in the deal however, is that in exchange for the equipment and weaponry, the DOJ expects these local agencies to cooperate and support them fully and without question if and when asked. In the wake of the riots in Ferguson, many agencies have re-evaluated their arrangement with the DOJ and are now in the process of returning the freebies. It's an idea of the sitting Attorney General; you may form your own opinion and conduct your own research from there.
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I am sick of the arrogance by far too many and the shift to protectors to bullies. Am sick and tired of that.
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