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from the articles-that-are-plotlines-to-movies dept.
Jeremy Bender reports that eight different law enforcement agencies in Indiana have purchased massive Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAPs) that were formerly used in Iraq and Afghanistan. The MRAP is a bulletproof, 60,000-pound, six-wheeled behemoth with heavy armor, a gunner's turret and the word "SHERIFF" emblazoned on its flank.
Pulaski County, home to 13,124 people, is one of the counties that have purchased an MRAP from military surplus. When asked to justify the purchase of a former military vehicle, Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer told the Indy Star:
"The United States of America has become a war zone. There's violence in the workplace, there's violence in schools and there's violence in the streets. You are seeing police departments going to a semi-military format because of the threats we have to counteract. If driving a military vehicle is going to protect officers, then that's what I'm going to do."
(Score: 2) by VLM on Wednesday June 11 2014, @09:27PM
"You are seeing police departments going to a semi-military format because our penises are very small and the media loves violent headlines."
I've been mystified at the correlation between this and the "recent" rise of female cops.
is it "I may not have a weiner like you guys but I do have a APC of my very own to wave" or "Can't stand seeing chicks feminize our profession, but even just thinking about getting an APC stops things from shriveling". maybe both simultaneously who knows.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Sir Garlon on Wednesday June 11 2014, @09:34PM
I think it has a lot more to do with a general trend of politicians scaring the public to justify trampling the Consitution/grabbing power. I don't mean the sheriff, I mean Congress.
Maybe we are each seeing what we want to see.
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.