I get that observation, but I find the whole idea quite difficult to understand because there’s no guarantee that they can steer such jobs to “the right people”, and there are a lot more things they can do with better effect instead. For me, the most parsimonious explanation is simply that it’s the logical answer to some problems that policing is facing.
I disagree with this sentiment because when you have something that is institutionally rotten, those who do actually carry out their jobs according to the stated purpose of the organisation don’t last. The culture either rots them or puts them under sufficient strain that they leave.
Are all police bad? No. But when you have such serious systemic issues, either you make the changes and win the plaudits for doing so, or you stay stuck in the sand and receive the criticism accordingly.
Do I think all the criticism is justified? Not at all, but I do think that American media is rather rotten in that respect too, not that it is unique in that.
I’m not entirely sure what ad hominem attacks you’re referring to in any case. As far as I can tell from the media that I do consume, they are rightly receiving pelters for having inadequate training, having pervasively racist cultures, and also a tendency to glorify violence. Not to mention the constant whining about how they need to protect themselves while demanding high pay for putting themselves at risk. I’d be a lot more sympathetic if they were indeed trying to change, but they don’t seem to even accept the valid criticism.
This is the one from Georgia initiated after release of the phone call to the Sec State to find him additional votes. The specific scope is not known but that is what the AP say about what can be deduced the AG is focusing on
phone calls made to Georgia officials by Trump and his allies;
false statements made by Trump associates before Georgia legislative committees;
a panel of 16 Republicans who signed a certificate falsely stating that Trump had won the state and that they were the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors;
the abrupt resignation of the U.S. attorney in Atlanta in January 2021;
alleged attempts to pressure a Fulton County election worker;
and breaches of election equipment in a rural south Georgia county.
All obviously related to Trump, but not all may be criminally able to be tied to him.
go walk through a city at night where the police were “defunded” and tell me how that works out for you. hell, go to San Fran and park your car for 24hrs.
Yeah, go ahead and defund the police. Let the street gangs run the streets, they know best.
One thing is for sure, the fact some police departments own a tank doesn’t put anyone off committing petty crime such as mugging you. So maybe they don’t need a tank. Or military grade weaponry.
The armoured SWAT vehicles are absurd, and are usually what people are referring to - massive overkill usually at ridiculous expense, and most police forces are following a dismount at range protocol anyway.
why do you think the SWAT vehicles exist? because of normal police operations, or for instances like high-level government protection which require elevated security.
