Stealth Moose
Umbrella Elite
Originally posted by cdtm
I want to confirm what is really being said.As I understand it, we're rephrasing the old argument of punitive measures vs rehabilitative ones.
So instead of busting druggies, we get them off drugs. Instead of sending violent offenders into solitary, we have counseling to control their anger.
Assuming I'm following along so far, here is where you lose me.
What about the point before rehab, and after the offense? What if the guys a drunken loser wife batterer who molests his daughter and sells crack to middle schoolers?
You seriously certain you can even rehabilitate a guy like this? What if he keeps repeating? How many chances does he get? What about the "Joker Scenerio", where Batmans sense of justice causes a LOT of victims? Wouldn't you be causing the same thing because of your sense of justice?
And even forgetting all of that, won't you still need police to deal with Mr. Wife Batterer sicko pervert drug pusher father?
Won't shifting away funds from police to services mean less police to actually deal with the shootings and knifings and fist fights and hit and runs and such?
1. The idea behind defunding the police is that A) police get ridiculous funding right now, mostly towards stuff they don't reasonably need like military grade weapons and armored vehicles and B) these funds should go to supportive services that respond better with their specialized training to certain social crisis situations.
2. An armed cop is not always going to be the better option. Invaluable when they are, but usually out of their depth.
3. More training isn't going to happen, because as it is, cops don't have enough time to train for their primary roles. Most are woefully inadequate at the basic job of non-lethal confrontation and actual law practice.
4. Cop unions are a powerful thing and they prevent bad cops from being busted out entirely or held responsible. They also resist any change they deem uncomfortable or tedious. They also want heavy firepower, because they think loading up is the best way to ensure peace.
5. Cops get motivational speeches from morons who boast a "Warrior's Mindset" and other training that is approved by above mentioned unions and actually makes cops more likely to look at themselves as under fire and about to die than you know, public servants meant to keep the peace.
6. As public servants, they should be held accountable and specialized within their roles, and support roles provided for and funded appropriately. Small town USA cop doesn't need an APC and military grade hardware to deal with Drunken Joe.