Re: SWAT being used to settle scores.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SPDSNYPR</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYpatriot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There are now so many swat teams, being used so often with so little research, that criminal elements of the public have figured out it is easy to dupe them into raiding their adversaries. If that doesn't prove they are being overused I don't know what does. </div></div>
How many SWAT teams are there? How often are they used, and what level of research is used? You say they are "overused". I'd like to see your proof of that. And not an article that shows that people can pull a prank that causes them to be activated. Actual proof that SWAT teams are "overused." This doesn't sound like proof, this sounds like your opinion.
You seem to be an expert. Share your expertise. </div></div>
If you are law enforcement, then you already know that those statistics do not exist. There is plenty of circumstantial and anecdotal evidence that there is a problem, which you also know is the same kind of evidence you might use as probable cause. In fact that kind of evidence is clearly being used to justify deadly force in no-knock raids...ironic that you require a higher standard when the finger is pointed back at law enforcement.
Why don't we know how many SWAT teams there are and how and why they are used? Do you think that information would garner more or less support for SWAT? I think I know the answer. The only government institution I know of that collects information on SWAT is the state of Maryland, who was forced to do so after loosing a lawsuit from another botched raid. Even after that 2008 incident, SWAT teams were deployed over 800 times in a span of only six months...4.5 times per day and averaging 1 time per DAY in prince george county alone. The majority of these deployments was for serving warrants for non-violent offences.
So I believe there is plenty of overuse and misuse of SWAT tactics, but only Maryland actually provides the data to prove it so therefore on a national basis I do not have "proof". But then again, a patriot realizes that in a free society the burden of proof concerning governmental official acts of violence committed against the citizenry rightfully rests on government, not the citizens. So I ask you- have you proven to your community that SWAT is being used correctly and judiciously?
I have two anecdotal egregious examples just in my circle of friends and family. I could cite a hundred examples from the news. Just today the Tuscan AZ department justified shooting an innocent Marine sixty times after raiding the wrong house. Since the departments executing the raids won't release any information about them except under court order then how the hell do you expect me to collect your proof? Since the police chiefs support and defend the actions of the tactical teams about 100% of the time do we just take your word for it? If the raids are well researched as you imply, how is SWAT tricked into raids so many times that the activity has spawned the new slang "swatting"?
I don't claim to be an expert, but if you are tasked with the application of official deadly force then you are supposed to be. I have asked lots of questions. Why don't you use your expertise to answer them and prove me wrong. Shouldn't government be forced to justify their violence if we are really a free society? Why don't they?
