POLICE MILITARIZATION: is it a Positive or Negative trend in America today?

I can't imagine that anyone would want militarized police in their community if they watched an infantry platoon in action. When in action, the infantry destroys targets and kills people. It attacks with a level of aggression that will insure its success by using overwhelming force. Policing is nothing like that, nothing at all. Policing is about the investigation of crime and the apprehension of criminals. I have often told of my experience while living in Honolulu of the terrible record the police there had in shooting suspects. The city invested in advanced training in alternate methods of personal combat as well as psyops for police officers. Shortly after the first police graduated, there was an incident when two officers were attacked by perpetrators they had interrupted in the commission of a robbery. Once officer was wounded and the other, rather than drawing his weapon, talked them down and arrested them. It was an incredible demonstration of the effectiveness of properly training officers of the law.

Hi, Senior Chief.

I've had this conversation before, and I always brought up the North Hollywood incident. Those perps started it all.

I think this statement most will agree to: "As a retired U.S. Army Military Police officer and as a former deputy sheriff, I do not generally support the militarized policing model. However, I certainly support efforts to ensure officers can effectively dominate armed encounters."

Picking on the photo - if that is a picture of a SWAT team I don't have much issue w/ the equipment, though not sure they need to BDU's. If a 'regular' sheriff unit not sure they need what appears to be the latest in military equipment.

Skip the BDU's and stick with Police 'Blue' colors - maybe just clothing, but does change the 'image' civilians first see. In the picture, the only thing that person can tell that this is not a military unit is the Sheriff on the vest.