You know, I had doubts about all that militarization-of-police stuff...

[MicroBalrog]

Now I don't.

More here.

[The Annoyed Man]

Red X's. I knew it!

Joking aside, this is overkill. I must admit, I wasn't really happy when we had riot officers who wouldn't let unarmed, peaceful veterans in uniform enter the DNC. The veterans didn't need any .50 cals that day. But . . .


"First they came for the Communists . . ."

[AJ Dual]

Red X's. I knew it!

Joking aside, this is overkill. I must admit, I wasn't really happy when we had riot officers who wouldn't let unarmed, peaceful veterans in uniform enter the DNC. The veterans didn't need any .50 cals that day. But . . .


"First they came for the Communists . . ."

Duplicate of what I posted over in THR, but I'm mainly more peeved that's just what some podunk Sherriff's department looks like, rather than our Border Patrol... 

[Manedwolf]

This is an example of the date-screwup thing I mentioned elsewhere. This is an OLD article. From March of this year.

Also, I want to see that thing throw a track when they're out being tools. I doubt any of them know how to fix it.

March 6 2008
Top News
S.C. Sheriff's Department Armored Vehicle with Belt-Fed Machine Gun

The Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff's Department has acquired an armored personnel carrier complete with a turret-mounted .50-caliber belt-fed machine gun for its Special Response Team.

Sheriff Leon Lott told the Columbia State newspaper that he hoped the vehicle, named "The Peacemaker," would let the bad guys know that his officers are serious.

"We don't look at this as a killing machine," Lott told the paper. "It's going to keep the peace. We hope the fact that we have this is going to save lives. When something like this rolls up, it's time to give up."

The Peacemaker has a top speed of 30 mph.

[Boomhauer]

Yeah. Really old news. We are not too happy about it here in SC, though.

Also, I want to see that thing throw a track when they're out being tools. I doubt any of them know how to fix it

But that's what AAA is for!

[AZRedhawk44]

Sherriff Joe here in AZ has one of those, but with a 7.62 belt fed on top instead of the .50.

I have mixed feelings on it.  Joe is a fantastic sherriff and does his job above and beyond usual political expectations.  I have yet to hear of a particular situation where this APC has even been used on site, let alone the officers actually opening fire with the machine gun.  He's had this thing for years... at least 8 (I've only been in AZ for 8 years).

But... if Joe should somehow lose an election or retire, I don't like the idea of this tool in the hands of the wrong sherriff.  Or even a not-quite-as-good sherriff.

And no matter what, I'm glad it isn't a .50.  I'd prefer it were a 5.56 SAW, but I can see some limited uses for 7.62 in a pitched LEO/badguy firefight.

[Fly320s]

But that's what AAA is for!

Anti-Aircraft Artillary?  To provide cover fire while the Sikorsky Sky Crane comes to tow the oversized ATV back to the police garage?  

[roo_ster]

But that's what AAA is for!

Anti-Aircraft Artillary?  To provide cover fire while the Sikorsky Sky Crane comes to tow the oversized ATV back to the police garage?  

No, to ventilate the stupid thing so drug dealers don't capture it and use it against the ninjas in the picture.

[Boomhauer]

No. This AAA

[Fly320s]

Never heard of it.






 

[Thor]

The militarization of our police departments does concern me. I've been concerned for quite a while. While I DO realize that the bad guys have some pretty "evil toys", it seems as if us common citizens might be caught up in some messed up raid. Too many times there have been SWAT Team raids on wrong addresses, etc. I think that the police are getting far too many military tools and have the desire to play "Army". There's an interesting link in the article that demonstrates just how much the cops have gone too far. I'm referring to the raids on the protesters in Minneapolis & St Paul. I could understand if there were terrorist ties, but it reads as there weren't.

[Manedwolf]

The problem is that many police have the toys of a military, but lack the training and discipline of a military.

That's what gets innocent people hurt.

[roo_ster]

The problem is that many police have the toys of a military, but lack the training and discipline of a military.

That's what gets innocent people hurt.

Boys, we have a winner.

My unit expended more rounds in training in one year per man than most departments provide in a LEO's career. 

At the taxpayers' expense.  [I never forgot to thank the taxpayer when lighting off truly fun stuff: LAWs, demo, M203 HEDP rounds....  Thank all of you who paid taxes while I was in the service!]

[RevDisk]

Now I don't.

More here.

Familiar with the Munroe effect?  Folks playing around with shaped charges learned you can actually form patterns in thick steel using explosives.  Normally this is used for breaching charges.  But it is possible to burn words using a broad sheet of explosives stamped with the letters you wish to imprint.

Think the cops might get upset if someone vaporized "**** you" into their pretty little APC?

[Bigjake]

the biggest problem I have with their new toy, is that now they'll HAVE to use it to justify it's existence.

[yesitsloaded]

My unit many of us expended more rounds in training in one year per man than most departments provide in a LEO's career.

fixed.

[taurusowner]

I am usually a big fan of the police staying at least one step ahead of criminals, especially when we have criminals like drug cartels, mafias, MS13, and other sorts who routinely us illegal weapons against each other and innocent people without no thought or conscience.  But this is about 14 steps ahead of any criminal element operating in America I know of.  I am a big fan of officers have ARs and shotguns in their trunks, body armor, non-lethal toys and all that.  To me, with the level of criminal a lot of places have, that stuff is appropriate.  But an APC with a .50cal?  US soldiers in Baghdad can't even light up targets with a .50cal without some serious #### going on.  Too much.  They should have spent the money on sending every one of their officers to a patrol-carbine course.  That would be far more useful.

[RevDisk]

My unit many of us expended more rounds in training in one year per man than most departments provide in a LEO's career.

fixed.

Pffft.  You underestimate some of the folks on this board.  Some folks here probably fire more rounds in one range trip than an entire department's ammo budget for 50 years.

[yesitsloaded]

I'll estimate I put 9000 non-government owned rounds per year downrange. Something like 1000 pistol, 6500 .22, 500 shotgun rounds, 500 milsurp and the rest in various rifle calibers. When we go to the range for Uncle Sam we can't leave a round unfired 

[seeker_two]

They should have spent the money on sending every one of their officers to a patrol-carbine course.  That would be far more useful.

Agreed.....If they spent more on training, then they'd be proficient and know that they don't need the spiffy toys....

[yesitsloaded]

Or maybe spent the money on jail space so they won't have to release criminals and then chase them down all over again when they commit another crime.

[The Annoyed Man]

I could see a few police departments over here who could use one or two or a dozen for escorting ambulances and firetrucks when they have to enter what I now think of as enemy territory.

[freakazoid]

Or maybe get rid of a bunch of stupid laws so they could free up a bunch of jail space.

[Jamisjockey]

  US soldiers in Baghdad can't even light up targets with a .50cal without some serious #### going on.  Too much. 

Source? 

They should have spent the money on sending every one of their officers to a patrol-carbine course.  That would be far more useful.

Agreed!





The APC actually makes sense.  After watching the North Hollywood bank shootout, those officers were able to save alot of lives with just an armored car.  However, the .50 is ridiculous overkill.  Why in the hell will they need a .50 Ma Deuce??  I can't think of any reason.  None. 

[The Annoyed Man]

peace through superior firepower