There are rising concerns regarding SWAT tactics lately especially the no-knock breaching method used in multiple drug raids nationwide. With police and civilian casualties this method has proved risky and overwhelmingly dangerous for both law enforcement and civilians. During my time in the military I have conducted hasty breaches in training similar to the ones used by SWAT teams and I can understand the immense stress that is involved with breaching and clearing a complex in a quick fashion. This type of entry used by police officers is very suspicious in some accounts however. This form of action has been abused by officers in recent years with law enforcement officials lying on their applications for the warrants in some instances. There is no doubt that drug raids are a necessary part of combating the drug business complex within the United States, but it may be more beneficial for law enforcement agencies to report SWAT operations and to allow constructive criticism in when it is valid and just. Furthermore, knock breaches maybe more risky for officers than for civilians but law enforcement tactics can be replaced and revised, innocent lives can't. Having dark figures come onto your property at night and breaking into your house violently would lead you to act defensively which is only by instinct. Some critics and officials argue that more surveillance and stake-outs would help solve this issue, but that implies a higher cost to tax payers and the law enforcement departments. This higher cost translates into what we have now, so, while these changes could be effective, they may not solve the issue and may even bring it back to where it is now. It is a deplorable thing to end innocent lives when it can be avoided, but sometimes accidents happen and they will continue to happen no matter what changes are made. I am not sure if this is a "one bad apple ruins the bunch" kind of case, but with so many casualties and killings it is statistically a serious problem. Maybe we should require certain information or evidence be present and presented to a judge and response team in order for a no-knock warrant to be issued. Ghost003
I really like how you proposed law enforcement knock breaches and the reasons why that would be beneficial. I agree with your opinion in this matter. Also, law enforcement officers receive extensive training that should help them to better address the situation more safely than a civilian would. Additionally, law enforcement officers offered to do the duty of defending the people, so they are aware that when they go to work every morning, they are putting their lives on the line. Innocent civilians did not offer the duty of putting their lives on the line, thus should not be the victims of a fatal shooting for no reason. Purple003
Before reading this article, I was unaware of the problems that have occurred through the Swat team and other officials conducting search warrants. It amazes me that the highly educated and trained officials of the SWAT team are taking such careless action. I understand that the SWAT team is in danger every time they conduct a search warrant at an offender’s home, but some of the cases the article discusses are absurd., such as the elderly man that was shot while on the ground, being compliant. From an outsider's perspective it seems as if the SWAT team is acting in an unprofessional and unethical way. It is their duty and job to apprehend suspects efficiently and safely, but it seems as if the SWAT team is creating more of a mess than needed. The SWAT team needs to understand that barging into someone’s home in the middle of the night typically is not going to generate a good reaction. As the article said, 4 out of 10 adults have firearms in their homes for protective purposes. Therefore, many people are going to begin shooting at someone they believe to be an intruder because they are unaware that it is the police. Additionally, the article discusses the issues that have arisen regarding the SWAT team conducting searches without adequate grounds. There were several instances in which a search warrant was conducted on the wrong home, and some have even resulted in accidental death. Purple003
There are rising concerns regarding SWAT tactics lately especially the no-knock breaching method used in multiple drug raids nationwide. With police and civilian casualties this method has proved risky and overwhelmingly dangerous for both law enforcement and civilians. During my time in the military I have conducted hasty breaches in training similar to the ones used by SWAT teams and I can understand the immense stress that is involved with breaching and clearing a complex in a quick fashion. This type of entry used by police officers is very suspicious in some accounts however. This form of action has been abused by officers in recent years with law enforcement officials lying on their applications for the warrants in some instances. There is no doubt that drug raids are a necessary part of combating the drug business complex within the United States, but it may be more beneficial for law enforcement agencies to report SWAT operations and to allow constructive criticism in when it is valid and just. Furthermore, knock breaches maybe more risky for officers than for civilians but law enforcement tactics can be replaced and revised, innocent lives can't. Having dark figures come onto your property at night and breaking into your house violently would lead you to act defensively which is only by instinct. Some critics and officials argue that more surveillance and stake-outs would help solve this issue, but that implies a higher cost to tax payers and the law enforcement departments. This higher cost translates into what we have now, so, while these changes could be effective, they may not solve the issue and may even bring it back to where it is now. It is a deplorable thing to end innocent lives when it can be avoided, but sometimes accidents happen and they will continue to happen no matter what changes are made. I am not sure if this is a "one bad apple ruins the bunch" kind of case, but with so many casualties and killings it is statistically a serious problem. Maybe we should require certain information or evidence be present and presented to a judge and response team in order for a no-knock warrant to be issued. Ghost003
ReplyDeleteI really like how you proposed law enforcement knock breaches and the reasons why that would be beneficial. I agree with your opinion in this matter. Also, law enforcement officers receive extensive training that should help them to better address the situation more safely than a civilian would. Additionally, law enforcement officers offered to do the duty of defending the people, so they are aware that when they go to work every morning, they are putting their lives on the line. Innocent civilians did not offer the duty of putting their lives on the line, thus should not be the victims of a fatal shooting for no reason. Purple003
DeleteBefore reading this article, I was unaware of the problems that have occurred through the Swat team and other officials conducting search warrants. It amazes me that the highly educated and trained officials of the SWAT team are taking such careless action. I understand that the SWAT team is in danger every time they conduct a search warrant at an offender’s home, but some of the cases the article discusses are absurd., such as the elderly man that was shot while on the ground, being compliant. From an outsider's perspective it seems as if the SWAT team is acting in an unprofessional and unethical way. It is their duty and job to apprehend suspects efficiently and safely, but it seems as if the SWAT team is creating more of a mess than needed. The SWAT team needs to understand that barging into someone’s home in the middle of the night typically is not going to generate a good reaction. As the article said, 4 out of 10 adults have firearms in their homes for protective purposes. Therefore, many people are going to begin shooting at someone they believe to be an intruder because they are unaware that it is the police. Additionally, the article discusses the issues that have arisen regarding the SWAT team conducting searches without adequate grounds. There were several instances in which a search warrant was conducted on the wrong home, and some have even resulted in accidental death. Purple003
ReplyDelete