Have you ever imagined what the world would be like if the law did not existed? What would happen if we did not have anyone to defend our country?The law has protected us from any harm. Now a days, though people believe that the law has turned against them.The reason for this is that there is a high amount of militarized equipment thanks to the DOD 1033 program. This program is called the Department of Defense Excess Property Program and it is authorized under federal law. The DOD Program provides many military equipment to state and local civilian law enforcement. It is mostly for the use in counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operations, and to enhance officer safety. With these equipment people have become afraid of the law.It is the violence all around the world that makes officers a lot more militarized but only to be more equipped and prepared for the enemy. It would be difficult to defend our nation without weapons. Here I will explain and give evidence of why I agree with police militarization.
First of all police officers have always been people of justice. Police officer are those who defend innocent people and make this world a better place. Many risk their lives trying to create a place without violence but over time this has changed. The problem is that many people think police officers have turned against the people. The article, This Is The Terrifying Result Of The Militarization Of Police it says, “When did this become OK? When did protect and serve turn into “us versus them”? Many incidents have happened that has led the people to think the law does not protect us but harms us. The reason why is that police officers are a lot more armed now a days. For example on August nine a young teenager named Michael Brown was shot and killed by officer Darren Wilson. Many say he was innocent but not everyone know the complete story.
After his death there was a massive protest in Ferguson that led officer to get more equipped. Officers were protecting owners of many businesses just as the safety of many other people. Since this incident there has been a huge amount of increase in armor. The author Paul Szoldra says, “On their front, over their body armor, they carry at least four to six extra magazines 15, loaded with 30 rounds each.” There is a lot more armor than before but this is not exactly a bad thing. Yes officers are equipped but they have not used any weapons or tanks against the people. What this does is protects us and well as the officers themselves. Being a police officer is one of the most dangerous jobs for this reason it is understandable to have these types of equipment. Also it is important to be prepared for any battle. People should understand that this world is not peaceful and it is always good to be prepared to defend this country.
For example recently terrorists attacked the french. There was 12 people murdered and at least 11 wounded. In this terrifying attack two police officers were also killed. This is one reason why police officers should be well equipped for war as any soldier would. In the article, This is a terrifying result of militarization of police, it says “Their uniform would be mistaken for a soldier’s if it weren’t for their Police patches.” With this it leaves a clear view of what police officers are wearing out in the city of Ferguson to prepare for anything. This is not to bring violence but to bring safety to the people. Officers need to have weapons ready for combat. The only way to protect the people is by having militarized weapons. The author Paul Szoldra says, “They have short-barreled 5.56-mm rifles based on the military M4 Carbine with scopes.” There are many new weapons but they are not used by officers on any human being. These weapons are more for security than anything.
The law is here to protect and serve but many think otherwise. For example in the death of Michael Brown officer Darren Wilson was seen as the bad guy when really he was just doing his job. Paul Szoldra states, “the town with a population of about 21,000 has seen massive protests in response to the shooting, as some witnesses said Brown had his hands up when he was killed”. It is clear that they blame officer Wilson for everything without asking themselves why he was after Brown. No officer comes after you without a reason and with Brown it was not different.
Only a few people know that Michael Brown had broken the law before the shooting. In the article the shooting of Michael Brown it states, “Shortly before the shooting, Brown robbed a nearby convenience store, stole several cigarillos, and shoved the store clerk”. Michael Brown was committing a crime and that is why Darren Wilson was after him. Wilson just as any other officer are also exposed because in occasions like this they are risking their life as well not knowing what the intentions of the person is. Militarization has happened mainly because of the violence of the world. If the world was peaceful the thought of more weapons would not even cross anyones mind and they would not exist.
Overall, humans can be afraid of the law at times because of all the new equipment police officers been seen with but have not used on the people. Many do not see the risks police officers take in order to make the people safe with no violence. The police takes dangerous risks and some have even been killed in the way trying to protect and serve. This is why it is important to have militarized equipment in order to have more protection and less people dying. Both the police and the people will be safer because we will be ready for any combat with the enemy.
alondrafrias 