Undoctrination.org

RANT: The Hypermilitarization of “Peace Officers”

I started writing this article the other day and then dropped it because, after a slightly spirited discourse with one of my ‘friends’ on Facebook, I was told that I “go off” when I “see a cop” (whatever the hell that means).
I figured after that particular conversation, I needed to check myself since I’m the guy that some people say comes off as “angry” when I get going on a pet peeve tangent. I didn’t want to really get ugly (because this subject is a major irritant to me)… with that said, I saw an article today on the Advocates for Self Government’s web site that stuck in my craw and tied into the premise of this article… I took that as a sign that me writing this piece was a “mission from God” (ok, that’s a joke, but you get the idea)…

The article is a short one… it’s actually more of a thought provoking question, with some common sense thrown in for answers. Whether they’d actually work or not is another story, I guess. It’s titled “What can we do about police abuses? How would private police be different?” and it discusses the major problem with overzealous, unaccountable abusive cops in a government owned police force, as well as common sense ideas that could very well work if given the opportunity. Read the Advocates’ Q and A session and let me know what you think in the comments here below…

Now… for the piece that was stirring in my heart…

Why? Why do we think that it’s perfectly acceptable for our “peace officers” to be trained in military combat tactics? Why is it acceptable for them to use militarized weapons, including APC’s and super long reach sniper rifles? Why is it acceptable for them to be indoctrinated (brainwashed) with military terminology and philosophy? Why is is completely acceptable for “the police” to train in these methods, yet our society to look at other “civilians” (cops are civilians too) who join “militias” as freaky, scary, insane, crazy, nut-job loonies? The police and these “militias” are getting the same training. Same tactics. Same ideology. Yet one is regarded as “heroic” and the other is “crazy”. The Constitution makes no mention of any sort of “Police Force”, but the Constitution says we actually need civilian militia force made up of everyday citizens… just like the Minute Men. The Constitution lays out a scenario where the PEOPLE are responsible for the defense of the Country… and the neighborhood.

Why is it that our police have gone from “peace officers” to “law enforcement” officers. I don’t know when the switch took place, but it is sure evident. There is a huge difference in the mentality. One says “I’m here to serve, protect, and help keep the peace in the neighborhood”. The other says “I’m here to ENFORCE the law. I’m here to USE FORCE to ‘Maintain ORDER’. Like it or not.” One is the friendly sheriff down the road at the station and the other is the Overlord Oppressor Police State poised to impose its will upon you. Which one do you think is Constitutional? Which one do you think the Founders had hoped for?

It seems that every day we’re seeing the affects of this police force ‘tactical training’ OVERLORD OPPRESSOR attitude on innocent and, sometimes not-so-innocent members of our society in the news. There are countless incidents happening every day where cops harass people who they ‘suspect’ are doing wrong, but have done nothing. Countless of incidents where, although a person may have done something ‘illegal’, cops beat them into a pulp over something ridiculously stupid, like a minor traffic infraction. Or people are JAILED for PHOTOGRAPHING or FILMING cops… when the cops are doing wrong. It’s rampant and it’s disgusting… and there is very little accountability. I could start citing articles and news blips about this, but once I got started doing that, I’d find it hard to stop and this entire piece would be nothing but links to those stories.

So… with all the reports (and cover-ups) regarding police brutality, it leads one to some not-so pleasant conclusions. They’re out of control… and part of it, to me, is the fact that many cops are former military members.

I realize that I’m probably going to become unpopular with my “conservative” friends because I’m saying this, but… I don’t believe that military members need to be cops. I don’t see how the two situations are remotely able to mesh. Why do you say that, Ron? Well, think about what soldiers and Marines are trained to do. Especially, those in real constant combat. They’re trained to kill. They’re trained to view EVERYONE as a potential “insurgent”. They’re trained to think everyone is trying to end their life. I’m not going to debate the validity of the present “conflicts” our military is currently engaged in, in this piece. That’s another article entirely. All I’m saying is that these guys (and gals, in some cases) are “always on” over there.

I’ve talked to folks who were essentially “special forces” and these folks are in agreement on this. Former “war fighters” are extremely hypersensitive to the situation around them. The training they receive is, in effect, brainwashing. It teaches them to always be in fight mode. It CHANGES them. Inside and out. It creates muscle memory that become ingrained and “instinct” moves that happen without even going through the filter of the conscious mind to stop. It creates a more aggressive manner and demeanor. It creates a certain type of paranoia where everyone’s out to get you. It creates a higher sense of “awareness” which, in my non-expert but very observant opinion, causes them to be more likely to jump the shark and pull the trigger, or throw a volley of punches, or take someone down, when it’s not even remotely necessary.

Let’s not forget the every day situations they get into over there. People are constantly trying to kill them. With every turn while walking on patrol, someone can come out and try to take them all out.  Many of them out there are coming home, and almost immediately getting into “law enforcement”… with PTSD (look it up). And, with all that said, I understand the reasons for their new viewpoint, which is exactly why they don’t belong in a police uniform, carrying weapons or “authority” on the street. Many of these “warriors” have come home and not gone through counselling to purge themselves of that (justified) paranoia, hypersensitivity, and aggression. If you or I were that jacked up emotionally, we would have no business being on the street with a badge and a gun. Period. Yet… there are plenty of these people out there today… and they’re causing untold harm to We the People.

You know it… I know it… and they know it. They do not belong on the street. Yet… our municipalities keep hiring them in droves. I guess the next question we need to ask is “why?” and then “What are WE going to do about it?”

What are we going to do in order to take back the freedom and PEACE we’ve surrendered to these municipalities who hire people who are unqualified to be Peace Officers?

Ron Lennex, Staff Writer