Militarization of Police

[Pulsar]

It's a mindset, an us vs them mentality. It comes from the belief that they have an enemy that they have to defeat. They expect to have to face a heavily armed opponent so they equip and train for it. Once they have all that hardware, why not use it all the time?
Looking at riots, natural disasters, sports ball championship insanity, and the damage and looting often associated with these events, it's not surprising the police feel the need to gear up. I don't like it, I don't like what it says about our culture, but I can understand the thinking behind it.

I'm admittedly not a cop, but if I was and the opportunity presented itself, I would certainly gear up. I'd much rather go out with better protection. Wouldn't you?

Does it really take an 'us versus them' mentality? I don't think so. I think it takes a mentality of self-preservation.

The equipment that fire fighters use has changed pretty drastically over the last 20 year. Radio system, command posts, kevlar and other non-combustibles... did those changes come about because of some type of militarization too?