zlacker

I think a lot about how so many police officers are Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. How much has this experience altered departments perception of what it means to police? Or influenced to baddest actors to behave like they do?

>>softwa+(OP)
There is an episode of Behind the Bastards[0] that covers David Grossman, the creator of Bulletproof Training which has trained thousands of police. Grossman’s training involved instilling a sense of fear in the officers which promotes a mentality of fearing for their safety even when it is apparent the officer isn’t in danger. Using made up phrases such as “killology” which Grossman claims to study and using false data (saying it is more dangerous to be a cop now than ever before despite evidence of the contrary). The training materials even use bible verses to justify why it is ok for an officer to kill, even when the situation wouldn’t necessarily warrant even a draw of the gun.

[0] https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-behind-the-bastards-29236...

>>softwa+(OP)
Honestly, when I was in the Navy training in a security squadron, we were basically taught to deescalate, use the lowest force we could, be it hands, mace, a baton, a pistol, the machine gun, etc. We were drilled never to use deadly force unless it was very clear we were in danger, were told to shoot second, because it's better to risk ourselves than risk killing an innocent person, that our backup would ensure the security of the ship or base so we didn't need to get trigger happy. I remember, strongly, the great fear I had about accidentally hurting the wrong person whenever we had live security events and i had to unholster my pistol.

I just don't get the way police are trained, they are there to risk themselves to ensure others are safe, even the criminals. Instead, they're trained to treat them worse than i was trained to treat literal terrorists.

>>softwa+(OP)
I don't think so if anything veterans of those conflicts probably have way more restraint because half the crap police have been shown doing wouldn't be allowed by the military. If soldiers shot and abused people as routinely and willnilly as police do it would be a major scandal.

If you go read through US military documents about the use of force and rules of engagement you will find things like it requires _presidential approval_ to use riot control agents like pepper spray and tear gas. You aren't allowed to use non-lethal weapons like rubber bullets and bean bag guns without special training because they are dangerous if use improperly. It's against the law of war to target noncombatants (police have been specifically targeting journalists in a number of high profile incidents)

[0] https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/TBS/B130936...

edit: I agree with the sister comment that the faulty police mentality largely comes from really bad training that instills the mind set that there is danger behind every corner.

>>batter+H4
The parent post was censored. I "vouched" it so it becomes visible again.

The censorship that HN readers bring to the forum disgusts me. To those responsible for censoring the parent post: get bent. You cowards have no place here.

>>pmoric+77
Afaik the pepper spray and tear gas approval requirement stem from the fact that those are classified as chemical weapons in international treaties. Shows that the police treat their own population worse than the military does enemies and the rest of the world...

>>softwa+(OP)
Hard to say but what is unequivocal is that it's not an excuse for their behavior under any circumstances.