Federal grants drive the militarization of police departments in America.

[CrispyQ]

7. Kicking for an important post.

It's going to get harder to hold them accountable, too.

Massachusetts SWAT Teams Claim They're Private Corporations To Get Out Of Transparency Requests

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20140627/09052427701/mass-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-to-get-out-transparency-requests.shtml

snip...

As part of the American Civil Liberties Union's recent report on police militarization, the Massachusetts chapter of the organization sent open records requests to SWAT teams across that state. It received an interesting response. As it turns out, a number of SWAT teams in the Bay State are operated by what are called law enforcement councils, or LECs. These LECs are funded by several police agencies in a given geographic area and overseen by an executive board, which is usually made up of police chiefs from member police departments...Some of these LECs have also apparently incorporated as 501(c)(3) organizations. And it’s here that we run into problems. According to the ACLU, the LECs are claiming that the 501(c)(3) status means that they're private corporations, not government agencies. And therefore, they say they're immune from open records requests.

Now they won't have to tell us how often a SWAT team is sent vs. plain 'ole cops, or what types of weapons they use, or even what their procedures are when there is a baby in the house. Remember the little baby who was hospitalized in critical condition cuz some weapon blew up in his playpen while he was in it?

http://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2014/06/26/update-on-baby-bou-bou-injured-in-swat-raid/

Atlanta (WAOK)- Nineteen month old Bounkham Phonesavanh who was critically injured in May when a flash grenade exploded in his play pen has been transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite to begin rehabilitation. The family continues to need financial support and are staying in a hotel to remain closer to their son. The family’s lawyer said the boy may have some brain damage.

“I was able to hold my son and hear his voice for the first time since the grenade exploded. After all that has happened to him, I am amazed at his strength. He has a long way to go but our prayers are being answered. We feel like it’s a miracle.” Bounkham Phonesavanh, Father of Baby Bou Bou

All donations for the family can be made to a Wells Fargo Bank Trust account in the name of Bounkham Phonesavanh. Online donations be made at www.justiceandprayersforboubou.org

Photos of the recovering little one with his family at the link.

Fucking police/SWAT assholes. I don't have respect for the police. Their wall of silence & protecting their own at all costs is sickening. I'm tired of reading about (mostly black male) citizens getting blown away by some trigger happy cop & then the cop gets suspension with pay & often times, is back at his post when the hubbub dies down.