Should COP's wear bullet proof vests?

[maxjones0]

I know COP’s have a thankless job and we are all glad when they are there for us when we are in need. However, the various police departments are happy to enforce laws that restrict liberty and use the copout (ha ha) argument that it is the politicians that make the laws, so don’t complain to them.

Anyways, forgetting all that, the modern policeman looks like a super hero with their utility belt, bullet proof vest, flashlight, pepper spray, taser, gun, radio, black leather gloves etc.

I do not mind workers wanting to wear safety equipment, but the modern cop has a thuggish look. And, if their job is to work amongst the public, well why is it not a smart idea for all of us public people to be wearing bullet proof vests. For sure, bank tellers. And 7/11 clerks. And pregnant mothers. And small children. And well, certainly me.

I cannot imagine Andy Griffith in a bullet proof vest. Barney Fifth, yes. The whole look promotes an us and them mentality.

My solution, more cops enforcing less laws with a friendlier appearance. (They can always keep the scary stuff in the trunk for use when needed). More private policing too. Another idea is to find ways to let the general public do police work. (I don’t mean ratting on neighbors).

Are cops the only ones who can wear all these intimidating safety devices? Safety First logic suggests we should all dress like cops.

[kenan]

Damn straight they should wear bullet proof vests on the job. I want them to go home safely to their families at the end of their shift and couldn't personally care less about how intimidating a police officer might look to a criminal (I'd say that's usually a plus in fact). IMO, if you have done nothing illegal, you should have no reason to feel intimidated or uncomfortable around police.

[J.B. Stone]

I cannot imagine Andy Griffith in a bullet proof vest. Barney Fifth, yes. The whole look promotes an us and them mentality.

BARNEY FIFE:



BARNEY'S FIFTH:

[Harry]

Anyone can get body armour at your local Spy Store. I wouldn't wear one myself. I have been think about getting a telescopic baton for some of the nutbars in downtown Vancouver.

[WestViking]

I do not mind workers wanting to wear safety equipment, but the modern cop has a thuggish look. And, if their job is to work amongst the public, well why is it not a smart idea for all of us public people to be wearing bullet proof vests. For sure, bank tellers. And 7/11 clerks. And pregnant mothers. And small children. And well, certainly me.

"Workers"? I find your post insulting and insolent.

When there is a school or mall shooting, or hostage taking, or armed robbery, or 'man with a gun' report, it is policemen and only policemen who are running TO the scene. I want them fully armed and equipped as they are called on without notice. Criminals don't send out invitations to their next shooting incident.

I expect a policeman to look like someone who not only means business but can take care of business if required to do so. I don't want 'Andy Griffith' policing the streets of my city. I attend enough funerals as it is.

[carfix2000ca]

Most grown ups don't have any problem with what the cops wear or look like.

Its generally people who have problems with cops that seem to have and issue with them

[Red Green]

I do not mind workers wanting to wear safety equipment, but the modern cop has a thuggish look. And, if their job is to work amongst the public, well why is it not a smart idea for all of us public people to be wearing bullet proof vests. For sure, bank tellers. And 7/11 clerks. And pregnant mothers. And small children. And well, certainly me.

"Workers"? I find your post insulting and insolent.

When there is a school or mall shooting, or hostage taking, or armed robbery, or 'man with a gun' report, it is policemen and only policemen who are running TO the scene. I want them fully armed and equipped as they are called on without notice. Criminals don't send out invitations to their next shooting incident.

I expect a policeman to look like someone who not only means business but can take care of business if required to do so. I don't want 'Andy Griffith' policing the streets of my city. I attend enough funerals as it is.

Personally, I would welcome Andy Griffith over the testosterone thugs we have in the valley.

As for running to the rescue, people died in Columbine because the armor-laden response team was too, oh what would be the word, cautious to take on a couple of high-school punks.

I think calling them "workers" is in fact an insult. To the people that actually work for a living....

[WestViking]

I do not mind workers wanting to wear safety equipment, but the modern cop has a thuggish look. And, if their job is to work amongst the public, well why is it not a smart idea for all of us public people to be wearing bullet proof vests. For sure, bank tellers. And 7/11 clerks. And pregnant mothers. And small children. And well, certainly me.

"Workers"? I find your post insulting and insolent.

When there is a school or mall shooting, or hostage taking, or armed robbery, or 'man with a gun' report, it is policemen and only policemen who are running TO the scene. I want them fully armed and equipped as they are called on without notice. Criminals don't send out invitations to their next shooting incident.

I expect a policeman to look like someone who not only means business but can take care of business if required to do so. I don't want 'Andy Griffith' policing the streets of my city. I attend enough funerals as it is.

Personally, I would welcome Andy Griffith over the testosterone thugs we have in the valley.

As for running to the rescue, people died in Columbine because the armor-laden response team was too, oh what would be the word, cautious to take on a couple of high-school punks.

I think calling them "workers" is in fact an insult. To the people that actually work for a living....

When we had a shooting in Montreal recently, patrol officers answered the call, engaged the perpetrator, and shot him. He then shot himself, but the police saved a lot of lives by acting quickly.

[J.B. Stone]

I do not mind workers wanting to wear safety equipment, but the modern cop has a thuggish look. And, if their job is to work amongst the public, well why is it not a smart idea for all of us public people to be wearing bullet proof vests. For sure, bank tellers. And 7/11 clerks. And pregnant mothers. And small children. And well, certainly me.

"Workers"? I find your post insulting and insolent.

When there is a school or mall shooting, or hostage taking, or armed robbery, or 'man with a gun' report, it is policemen and only policemen who are running TO the scene. I want them fully armed and equipped as they are called on without notice. Criminals don't send out invitations to their next shooting incident.

I expect a policeman to look like someone who not only means business but can take care of business if required to do so. I don't want 'Andy Griffith' policing the streets of my city. I attend enough funerals as it is.

Personally, I would welcome Andy Griffith over the testosterone thugs we have in the valley.

As for running to the rescue, people died in Columbine because the armor-laden response team was too, oh what would be the word, cautious to take on a couple of high-school punks.

I think calling them "workers" is in fact an insult. To the people that actually work for a living....

When we had a shooting in Montreal recently, patrol officers answered the call, engaged the perpetrator, and shot him. He then shot himself, but the police saved a lot of lives by acting quickly.

People learned a LOT from the Columbine shootings and the Virginia Tech situation was MUCH different, as was the mall shooting in Salt Lake City.

Impugning the bravery or intentions of the cops at Columbine is a GROSS misstatement of the facts....bad policy...???....YES....bad cops...I hardly think so. I lived in Denver for 28 years and can assure you it was the very same namby pamby leftist liberals and a few losertarian dunces who were hamstringing the cops at every turn who later bitched about the high school getting shot up.

You simply can't HAVE IT both ways.

[WestViking]

People learned a LOT from the Columbine shootings and the Virginia Tech situation was MUCH different, as was the mall shooting in Salt Lake City.

Impugning the bravery or intentions of the cops at Columbine is a GROSS misstatement of the facts....bad policy...???....YES....bad cops...I hardly think so. I lived in Denver for 28 years and can assure you it was the very same namby pamby leftist liberals and a few losertarian dunces who were hamstringing the cops at every turn who later bitched about the high school getting shot up.

You simply can't HAVE IT both ways.

Indeed. One bitter lesson was that setting up a perimeter around the scene is useless. The shooter or shooters must be confronted as quickly as possible to reduce casualties.

The first officer on the scene at Dawson College was a first year rookie who engaged the gunman and prevented a hostage taking. A second officer arrived through a different entry and was able to fire on the gunman who was screened from the original responder. The gunman went down hit and then killed himself.

There was one student killed and 19 injured. The gunman had three weapons which included a semi-automatic rifle. The place was packed with students. Had officers not responded so quickly the casualties would have been much higher.

These officers have incredible courage. They have vests, but they are not up to the standards of those used by emergency response teams and they do not have the training ER team members get. In this case they clearly put themselves (and their lives) between the shooter and the students.

I watched a TV interview with the rookie and his big concern was that he had done his job properly; that he had responded appropriately. We can't buy that kind of dedication to service to the community. We are fortunate that we have people who take up the vocation and a commitment to serve and protect.

[RedDog]

I can't remember the last officer I saw either here in town or outside their vehicle on the QE2 who wasn't wearing one. I assumed they all did now.

[Roy Wilson]

I believe they are Mandatory in Ont.BTW that is likely the stupidest ? ever posed on a thread maxjones0.

[Roy Wilson]

My solution, more cops enforcing less laws with a friendlier appearance. (They can always keep the scary stuff in the trunk for use when needed). More private policing too. Another idea is to find ways to let the general public do police work. (I don’t mean ratting on neighbors).

Theres a real freaking plan. Why not just leave it all in a vault at the station?.

[J.B. Stone]

My solution, more cops enforcing less laws with a friendlier appearance. (They can always keep the scary stuff in the trunk for use when needed). More private policing too. Another idea is to find ways to let the general public do police work. (I don’t mean ratting on neighbors).

Theres a real freaking plan. Why not just leave it all in a vault at the station?.

Now, now, Roy....must be NICE to the idiots.

That's what the moderators tell ME.

[Roy Wilson]

My solution, more cops enforcing less laws with a friendlier appearance. (They can always keep the scary stuff in the trunk for use when needed). More private policing too. Another idea is to find ways to let the general public do police work. (I don’t mean ratting on neighbors).

Theres a real freaking plan. Why not just leave it all in a vault at the station?.

Now, now, Roy....must be NICE to the idiots.

That's what the moderators tell ME.

My idiot tollerance level has reached -5