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The best tool for police? Relationships with people

To the people and to the police. Submitted for your consideration: Police in Vermont understand the greater importance of public service and being involved in a community than ever relying on military gear and a military mindset. Via InformationLiberation.com:

“The Burlington Police Department announced today that the Department has severed its ties with the much-scrutinized “1033 Program,” a Department of Defense initiative that allows aging military equipment to be re-purposed for domestic policing. Until this summer, the Burlington Police Department possessed two military-issued night vision devices, which were the extent of its holdings under the Department of Defense (DOD) program.

“The militarization of local police departments is a genuine concern in our nation,” said Burlington Chief of Police Brandon del Pozo. “There are times when military-style equipment is essential for public safety, but they are very rare. Between our partners in the Vermont State Police and the Vermont National Guard, as well as the other federal and local agencies the Burlington Police Department partners with, we have the resources to handle all but the most inconceivable public safety scenarios. Amassing a worst-case scenario arsenal of military equipment results in officers seeing everyday police work through a military lens. When I realized what a small role the military played in equipping our police, I concluded it was better to return the items and let our 1033 Program memorandum of understanding expire.”

“The Burlington Police Department has no plans to acquire tactical or military items beyond the types of conventional policing equipment it already possesses.

“Mayor Miro Weinberger offered his support of this decision: “Today’s announcement cements the Burlington Police Department’s long-standing practice of avoiding the use of military equipment, in contrast to many other police departments. Our focus instead is on the basics of good policing in the 21st century: foot patrols, strong relationships between the officers and the community, and the use of modern tools to increase public transparency and police effectiveness.”

It doesn’t matter how many automatic weapons you have, how many BearCats or MRAP’s you possess, how much body armor you put on or how many hours of paramilitary training you receive; the most important tool you need is a good relationship with the people you serve. If you continually put up barriers that separate you from those you’re supposed to be protecting, it won’t matter how many bad guys you get off the streets, how many drug busts you make, how many “speeders” you pull over or how many children you train in schools. The public will only see the long arm of the state able to do whatever it wishes, whenever it wants, whether is right or wrong, Constitutional or unconstitutional. The only thing that people truly appreciate are those who are consistent in standing up for their rights. Then, when people don’t appreciate that, we now have an issue of people who love big government and more laws. Therefore, it doesn’t matter what the police do. That’s why so many cities and towns in this country have come under a police state mentality; there are the people, and then there’s the police. Now that is dangerous. No one ought to be “above the law.” Yet that doesn’t mean we need more laws. It certainly doesn’t mean we need a militarized police.

Stop and think.

Sam Ludtman lives in Reno.

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