On topic, I have a genuine question for the law enforcement officers of the forum.
On this picture, what is all the gear these officers are equipped with? My interest was sparked by witnessing an officer dressed similarly while on construction zone duty.
I’m a white, law-abiding dude, and I still find modern police uniforms militaristic and fear-inducing. I no longer see my friendly neighborhood officer.
I promise I’m not trying to be antagonist; I’m honestly curious.
PS Apologies for iffy picture choice. These were just the first examples I felt fit the bill. I also understand that there might be different uniform requirements for different rolls. Again, just an honest question. Thank you.
The officers in the second PIC were probably more likely to beat the living shit out of you, plant evidence, etc…and sexually harass (and even assault) their female colleagues.
Training and times have changed…thank goodness…
I personally don’t want the guys in the first PIC to be outgunned by the Bad Guys…
I don’t think any of that kit is there to make cops deadlier or more aggressive. Kevlar vests, radio, body cameras, taser, pepper spray, flashlight, all seem like helpful items in difficult situations.
It looks like the old timers have their revolvers, cuffs and a few speed loaders.
I, too, would be interested in a full explanation of the difference in load out.
For me that seems mostly dependent on my own conduct. I used to have an adversarial relationship with police back in the 90s (when the county sheriff’s looked like the lower picture) and experienced some unfairly harsh treatment because of it. I was engaged in victimless felony behavior and was also a dumbass kid with a big mouth. This did not improve the outcomes of my police interactions or the quality of my evenings spent in jail.
Now that I work in the defense industry instead of the black market vegetation distribution industry, my interactions with police have been overwhelmingly positive. This includes the many times I interacted with them working bar security as well.
They seem to respond favorably to polite demeanor and lawful behavior. Who’d a thunk?
Just better more practical gear. Tourniquets. Pepper spray. Asps. Cuffs. Mag pouches. Body cams. Radios.
Holsters. All of it a huge upgrade from the old leather crap.
I understand your pov but am still taken aback by the “intimidation” thing. We serve the public. People seem scared of their own shadows anymore.
The hardware we face on the street is always getting more troubling. AR’s. AK’s. 300 Blackouts. Draos. Extended mags. Drums of 100. Etc… We absolutely need to meet that with equal or superior force.
If you hired a personal trainer would you be intimidated by their physique if it were superior to yours or just impressive ?
Fair enough. As a person of principle I dislike ANYBODY abusing their authority or capacity. The reality is that the vast vast majority of police uses of force are warranted. Human beings, prone to err as we are, will go overboard at times. What we can do collectively is have the same level of outrage at citizens that overstep their bounds that are objectively very reasonable. We rarely if ever hear any outcry at people that act in a way that puts them in our scope of responsibility. Act like a mensch as Shapiro would say. It’s not unreasonable to ask or expect that of our fellow citizens.
Any relationship relies on compromise and fair and equal standards. As it stands only police are being held accountable.
Understood… You grew tomatoes, potatoes and other veggies and undercut local supermarkets by selling them to people within your neighbourhood at superior prices! Prior to moving out I myself grew passionfruit, habanero chilli’s and cauliflower (actually referring to growing vegetables, not a euphemism. I lived on a farm)
The concept of approaching a woman who appears to be a solid 9 out of 10 is intimidating. Approaching women alone (i.e not in a group setting) alone can be intimidating. With practice it becomes easier, I’m still at the “practice, practice, practice” stage when it comes to approaching solo.
Yiddish terminology, in the Jewish community we use this word a lot to describe a person with good moral fundamentals
People in power are, and should be, held to a higher standard. Great power, great responsibility… etc.
Lol, you sure you’ve dealt with the public? I think it’s highly unreasonable to expect the folks you (all cops everywhere) interact with the most to behave in a respectable manner haha.
OP is swat though, not a traffic cop giving someone in a hurry a ticket for passing through a stop street on a desolate street at the crack of dawn.
If you’re referring to criminal interaction with LE. Understandable, I’d be hard pressed to expect a violent felon with complete disregard for human life to behave in a respectable manner
