Comment by CharS

Entered on: 5/14/2009 10:22:37 AM

When oh when, will the Empire strike back. Ever?

Comment by CharS

Entered on: 5/14/2009 10:23:43 AM

Oops. Make that "the People".....

Comment by Powell Gammill

Entered on: 5/14/2009 11:49:36 AM

There is nothing like meeting a Police Explorer to realize you have to train the control freaks young and give them a fine hat and a shiny badge.

Comment by Chip Saunders

Entered on: 5/14/2009 5:12:24 PM

As a former Police Explorer myself, this is nothing new. We had SWAT give us introductory weapons handling instruction in the mid 80's similar to this, and even held competitions for how we handled field interviews gone wrong.

Take heart in the fact that most young police explorers wash out. In my case, I had already been given a basic understanding of the non-negotiability of rights and freeodoms before I became an explorer, and this conflict between respect for the Bill of Rights and what police are taught is "legal" is what caused me, ultimately, to abandon my dream of becoming a peace officer.

Instead, fear an influx of young "national service" conscripts who might be directed to assist law enforcement on any sort of large scale. Especially once they are given "qualified immunity" for transgressions done while "just following orders".