Balko: The disturbing messages in police recruiting videos

[green73]

By Radley Balko


According to the New Mexico Watchdog Web site, this is a new recruiting video being used by the police department in Hobbs, New Mexico.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im66lCgZrbc

Note the aspects of policing the video emphasizes: Shooting stuff. K-9 enforcement. Nabbing the bad guys. The SWAT team. This is the first step in the process.

(There’s also the separate but related question of why Hobbs — a town of 35,000 people — needs a SWAT team in the first place. As the Watchdog reports, the SWAT team has its own page on the Hobbs department Web site, complete with a video of SWAT cops shooting and destroying things, set to heavy metal music. The statement in the video that “The rules of engagement of SWAT are simple: Defeat the enemy . . . any way you can”is also troubling. The mission of a SWAT team ought to be to resolve volatile situations without force and violence whenever possible.)

Note, too, what’s missing from the recruiting video: Public service. Cops walking beats. Community policing. Helping people.

Now ask yourself: What sort of person would be attracted to a career in law enforcement based on the images and activities depicted in that video? And is that the sort of person you’d want wearing a badge and carrying a gun in your neighborhood?

The video isn’t disturbing only because of the type of police officer it’s likely to attract. It also suggests that the leadership in the Hobbs police department believes that these are the aspects of police work most worth touting — that this is the face they want to project to the community.

Hobbs isn’t alone in this. It’s a trend in policing that I’ve covered for a few years and part of a general move toward more aggressive, militarized police forces. There are many other examples. Here’s one from Gainesville, Fla.:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXH0yxfLaNU

Here’s one from Denison, Tex.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvDTRs8f2xM

The Vermont State Police:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4M87jveSyE

Springdale, Ark.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V45XAP7Yhjo

Brunswick, Ga.:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03PbxSm-dFo

cont.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...essages-in-police-recruiting-videos//?print=1

 

[tod evans]

There is only one answer to an outright declaration of war against the citizenry...



(It ain't voting or flowers either)

 

[jct74]

here's the video from the Hobbs PD website



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7XcoJ1Gs9o

 

[bunklocoempire]

"...have you got what it takes to be one of us?"

You mean immunity, a union, and a living made off of theft from others? As I understand it I have to sign up and assimilate before I get immunity and a union so no, I don't have what it takes.

 

[ZENemy]

Who's ready to stand up and say enough?

No shots required.

""Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break in pieces." "

 

[tod evans]

Who's ready to stand up and say enough?

No shots required.

""Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break in pieces." "

Dude, you're talking about psychopathic tax-ticks here....

They are only too happy to crawl over the dead and maimed bodies of their countrymen for a place at the tit...

 

[CPUd]

The part they don't show:

 

[evilfunnystuff]

 

[phill4paul]

The part they don't show:

Five of those. At point blank range. On a 90 year old man. In the gut. Without a vest.

http://rt.com/usa/police-man-killed-bean-bag-755/

 

[mrsat_98]

Dude, you're talking about psychopathic tax-ticks here....

They are only too happy to crawl over the dead and maimed bodies of their countrymen for a place at the tit...

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to tod evans again.

 

[Root]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to tod evans again.

Gotcha

 

[Root]

Bootlickers gonna boot lick...

 

[green73]

The dicks removed the Springdale one, but PJW is on the case:

Police Recruitment Video Shows Cops in Military-Style Ghillie Suits


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smqZ108ZwAo

 

[kcchiefs6465]

The dicks removed the Springdale one, but PJW is on the case:

Police Recruitment Video Shows Cops in Military-Style Ghillie Suits


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smqZ108ZwAo

Is that a .50 BMG on the right? and a $10,000 thermal scope on the left?

ETA: Just watched the video. The picture shown on which I was commenting was soldiers in Aghanistan. That explains the .50 caliber.

 

[EBounding]

I like how in the first video they're raiding granny's ranch while talking about the housing incentive.

 

[satchelmcqueen]

lol i just showed this to my wife. she said "they wont have time to use these military style pieces of equipment on the citizens. theyll be to busy with the mexican mafia."

 

[kcchiefs6465]

A video showing the lighter side of police recruiting. Brought to you by the Alliance (Ohio) Police Department.







(not really, but hilarious nonetheless)

 

[Suzanimal]

A video showing the lighter side of police recruiting. Brought to you by the Alliance (Ohio) Police Department.
(not really, but hilarious nonetheless)

LOL, WTF did I just watch?

 

[kcchiefs6465]

LOL, WTF did I just watch?

Far as I can tell, a really faggy way to waste money.

 

[green73]

A video showing the lighter side of police recruiting. Brought to you by the Alliance (Ohio) Police Department.

[video]



(not really, but hilarious nonetheless)

Absolutely disgusting.