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Saturday, October 17, 2020

Militarization of police continues uninterrupted, despite questioning of riot escalation equipping of police.

 All politics is local, so all politics touches Coon Rapids' policing decision making. 

Part of suppression of peaceful assembly is when cops come in badge heavy in military equipment and start swinging truncheons. It happens. Denials can be made but they are false even before being stated. A local news outlet published, "CRPD to get grant-funded riot gear " The item states in part:

Council members approved a memorandum of understanding with Anoka County following a public hearing Oct. 7. The grant required the memorandum to ensure funds are spent within the city for law enforcement purposes.

The city is eligible for a $10,373 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, which the city intends to use for protective gear and less-than-lethal equipment.

[...] “This year we’re looking to enhance our defensive tactics gear relating to riots,” Police Chief Brad Wise said.

The grant will be spent on seven sets of mobile field force gear, which includes helmets and padded equipment, Wise said. The money also will be used to purchase six additional sets of helmets, gas masks and batons and an M-40 device used to fire gas canisters into crowds, according to Wise.

“Frankly it saddens me that I am asking for this stuff to be honest,” Wise said. “I wish I didn’t need to.”

In total the purchase will cost approximately $10,734, but only about $362 will be paid by Coon Rapids residents.

The city has not needed the equipment for events within is borders, but Coon Rapids police were deployed to Minneapolis during the protests and riots earlier this year, Wise said.

Frankly, it saddens me to see a top cop dissembling. Money need not be spent on militarization, chemical weapons launchers, etc. 

THERE IS GRANT MONEY TO BE USED FOR POLICE PURPOSES. FINE. BUY BODY CAMS. THAT WAY CITIZENS CAN MORE EASILY PURSUE REMEDIES AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY. 

USE THE CAMS REGULARLY AND REQUIRE THEY BE ON FULLTIME DURING "CROWD CONTROL." FAILURE TO RUN A BODY CAM WHEN REQUIRED BY WRITTEN POLICY SHOULD BE GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL, WITH THAT REQUIREMENT IN PLACE AS A PART OF ANY POLICE - MUNICIPALITY EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, UNION OR OTHERWISE.

Yes, this may be a "who cares" for readers outside of Coon Rapids city limits. It should not be. An example of a bad practice can and should reach beyond those affected by proximity to the bad outcome. Everyone should consider George Floyd's death, and how riots grew out of badge heaviness during peaceful protesting.

BOTTOM LINE: Paramilitary policing is unwise, and should be discouraged by thinking city officials. While thinking city officials are rare animals, they do exist in small numbers, and their best thoughts should be heeded.