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 Gaaark on Wednesday June 11 2014, @09:35PM
My son-in-law-to-be wants to go into the RCMP and in to the Tactical Unit or the Bomb disposal squad, because he doesn't think the normal service would be exciting enough.
Shows the difference.
But then again, if we were invaded by the Russians (for example.... could just as well be the Americans, although they've done a good enough job with walmart and tv) we would have to bend over and take it unless Wil Wheaton took us under his wing.
Dog bless Wil Wheaton!
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---