"If a widespread pattern of [knock-and-announce] violations were shown . . . there would be reason for grave concern."
—Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, in Hudson v. Michigan, June 15, 2006.
Photo credit: Nigel Parry
Tasers
Since 2001, there have been 547 documented taser-related deaths in America.
Some of these were innocent people, or those with mental health issues. Many times the taser was used as an
instrument of torture.
No Knock and Knock-and-announce Warrants
In the mid-80s, there were between 2,000 and 3,000 no-knock intrusions per year. As of 2011, there were as many as 80,000 no-knock searches yearly, according to USA Today and Eastern Kentucky University
SWAT Teams
Often wearing fatigues and body armor while donning military-style assault weapons, these teams conduct over 150 raids every day. In 1980, there were around 3,000 SWAT team raids in the United States. In 2001, that number had inflated to 45,000 and has since expanded to over 80,000 raids per year .
RISE OF THE PARAMILITARY POLICE
Published On May 26, 2014 | By CopBlock |
What a coincidence
If you noticed in the statistics, there were 80,000 no knock warrants and 80,000 SWAT raids. These numbers come from different studies and sources for two different actions. There seems to be a correlation.
What needs to be done
While there is hope Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson's proposed legislation, the
Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act (PDF), will reign in the Pentagon's 1033 program that gives war machines to local law enforcement, more than likely nothing will be done by this Congress unless the House can attach an ammendment to defund Obamacare or close every women's health center in America. The President cannot change the law. That leaves the remaining branch of the government to end this take-over of our streets by the paramilitary police.
We don't have to be Constitutional lawyers to know that judges are the ones passing out these no knock warrants as well as knock-and-announce warrants. Local judges and prosecutors are also responsible for giving murderous cops a slap on the wrist after a they enjoy a taxpayer paid two week vacation.
This is where the pressure needs to be applied. Like it has been said, "All politics is local". A Supreme Court Justice also said, "If a widespread pattern of [knock-and-announce] violations were shown . . . there would be reason for grave concern."
—Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, in Hudson v. Michigan, June 15, 2006.
Indeed, this has reached grave proportions. Just take a look at the Cato Institute map of botched raids that demonstrates a "widespread pattern".
Click here for the interactive map of botched SWAT and paramilitary police raids, released in conjunction with the Cato policy paper "Overkill: The Rise of Paramilitary Police Raids," by Radley Balko.
Each point is a case-by-case description of a raid gone wrong.
Different states have different procedures for seating judges. Some are appointed while others are elected. You should know how this is done in your area and become part of the process. I would suggest a Letter to the Editor campaign if there are egregious warrants issued in your community. Perhaps even standing outside a courthouse with a sign.
Training
In my mind I see a grizzled, veteran cop at a community college bragging about busting heads to a bunch of burr-headed, power-tripping, Dirty Harry wannabes who are wet-dreaming of the day they get a Crown Victoria and a Glock.
While this is hyperbole, the actions of overzealous, violent paramilitary police officers indicate that the training the cops are receiving is inadequate.
See the video below the fold to see how a botched Knock-and-announce warrant is executed.
1. 4 seconds after pounding on the door, the door is shattered.
2. 2 seconds later, flash bang
3. Grandma and teenage daughter cuffed and stuffed
4. Wrong House
5. Cops laughing
My previous diaries on tasers.
This could be the last thing you ever see: The New TASER X3
SAT OCT 24, 2009
TASERS: How Police & TASER, Inc. Bamboozle The Press
SAT NOV 21, 2009