re: militarization of our police forces.

[7wo7rees]

In all the threads I have been reading there seems to be an important point being missed.

I heard an interview in the last several months about a large part of the violence being perpetuated across the country was not only due to all the equipment being almost given to the police depts, the larger problem is the policy of hiring veterans, with serious mental issues. This is a recipe for disaster and is what we are being confronted with now.

The talk I heard at the time was addressing issues in Texas and New Mexico. The numbers of vets being hired/percentages, was staggering and I believe can and should be held up in direct correlation to what is and has been happening.

Thanks in advance for consideration.

I don't have time right now to go find report or interview I heard.

[tblue37]

1. A lot of the brutal cops are not army vets. They have been on the force for a long time, and

they have gotten away with brutalizing people of color for a long time, so they continue to do it and to assume that they will not be held to account for it.

Racism and an authoritarian mentality have long been pervasive in those police departments. They don't need an influx of Iraq War veterans to abuse citizens, especially citizens of color.

[KittyWampus]

2. Thank You for posting. I'll look around for corroboration, but did hear similar myself.

Just don't remember where.

It's a political hot potato though.

Politicians want to be seen as helping returning Vets and also tough on crime. They also want the money flowing.

It's going to be difficult to find the right angle because civil liberties SHOULD be an easy sell, but it isn't.

[tblue37]

3. See my post above yours. nt

[KittyWampus]

4. not sure what the answer is. Cameras on uniforms seems like a first step.

[tblue37]

5. Yes--and bad cops need to be held accountable for their bad behavior, which

they almost never are. Even when they are subjected to some sort of "punishment," it is never more than a slap on the wrist.

[jwirr]

6. This.

[7wo7rees]

7. kick up for consideration. nt