New role of U.S. military as domestic law enforcers-Good Or Bad?

[mgpatty]

Last week 22 military police and an Army officer was sent to assume the role of civilian law enforcers in a tiny Alabama town following a mass shooting spree. There has been other occasions in the past that the military has been used in the role of law enforcement. However, those rare occasions has been under the direct order and supervision of the Commander-in-chief. What say the masses? Is this a new approach at a old problem or a dangerous new trend? Should the U.S. military be used to supplement local law enforcement? According to the Army Times, a military bridgade has already been given the mission of supplementing local law enforcement during times of civil unrest and crowd control, as needed, here in the United States Of America.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/03/who-sent-soldie.html

[duckslayer870]

Sounds like a trial run to me.

[grouser68]

This is nothing new, my unit, and many,many others went to Hurricane Katrina to supplement law enforcement. Was also sent to Arizona to supplement the Border Patrol and help catch illegal aliens.When an emergency arises that a community needs help, the military gets the call, mainly the Guard.

[nwest]

This is nothing new, my unit, and many,many others went to Hurricane Katrina to supplement law enforcement. Was also sent to Arizona to supplement the Border Patrol and help catch illegal aliens.When an emergency arises that a community needs help, the military gets the call, mainly the Guard.



But....but.... but this is just another part of the chosen ones evil plot to take all of our freedom away.... you just can't see it....

[grouser68]

But....but.... but this is just another part of the chosen ones evil plot to take all of our freedom away.... you just can't see it....Well, it could be.......but I doubt it! Anyway, someone sent them, the blogger, I repeat, the blogger, just does'nt know who, or did'nt research it thoroughly.

[mgpatty]

This is nothing new, my unit, and many,many others went to Hurricane Katrina to supplement law enforcement. Was also sent to Arizona to supplement the Border Patrol and help catch illegal aliens.When an emergency arises that a community needs help, the military gets the call, mainly the Guard.

This is true. In a national crisis, Federal and State troops can be used to assist and provide emergency assistance. However, the occurances of this has been few and far in between. Furthermore, the proper use of our military to provide border security has never been in question. The first and foremost purpose of our military is to provide domestic security. The use of troops in Alabama is unique. The President did not directly order the military to assist the local police. Nor did the Governor of Alabama ask the military for assistance. I will pose the question once again. What role should the military provide in domestic law enforcement? When is ok to send soliders to smalltown U.S.A. to assume a civilian role?

[mgpatty]

Well, it could be.......but I doubt it! Anyway, someone sent them, the blogger, I repeat, the blogger, just does'nt know who, or did'nt research it thoroughly.

Are you calling into question the validity of the story? It orginated as a Assoicated Press story. It has been carried by many major news outlets throughout the nation. If you question the facts of the story you I can quote other news organizations, however they will mirror the USA Today article as it is based on the Associated Press story.

[grouser68]

This is true. In a national crisis, Federal and State troops can be used to assist and provide emergency assistance. However, the occurances of this has been few and far in between. Furthermore, the proper use of our military to provide border security has never been in question. The first and foremost purpose of our military is to provide domestic security. The use of troops in Alabama is unique. The President did not directly order the military to assist the local police. Nor did the Governor of Alabama ask the military for assistance. I will pose the question once again. What role should the military provide in domestic law enforcement? When is ok to send soliders to smalltown U.S.A. to assume a civilian role?When the community needs assistance, and request it! County Judge Executives can ask for Guard Soldiers for almost anything they need, and get it. If you need Troops for a parade/ceremony/recruiting, and many other purposes, the C.J.E. just sends a memo to the Gov., and he gets them. I am sure they can also ask for Troops to assist LEO's, but I have never heard of that happening.

[grouser68]

Are you calling into question the validity of the story? It orginated as a Assoicated Press story. It has been carried by many major news outlets throughout the nation. If you question the facts of the story you I can quote other news organizations, however they will mirror the USA Today article as it is based on the Associated Press story.The url you posted said BLOG, it's not that I don't beleive it, but it is a blog. I am sure it happened, but I am also sure there was permission asked, and given, it just seems to not have been researched thoroughly enough. The truth will come out.......eventually!

[mgpatty]

But....but.... but this is just another part of the chosen ones evil plot to take all of our freedom away.... you just can't see it....

I wouldn't necessarily characterize it as such. I will be much more concerned when the 'National Security Force' that Obama campaigned on comes to fruition. However, I see that a dangerous precedence could be set in the near future in that the military could be seen to fill a perceived void in domestic law enforcement capabilities. This isn't even considering the possibility of a violation of Federal law, specifically the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878.

Oh, and if you think that the use of the military in response to a natural disaster is a 'good thing' then you can thank former President Bush. He signed the John Warner National Defense Act which revised federal law so that the military could respond to natural disasters.

[biggun]

I kinda thought that the military couldn't be used as a police force. Can't remember exactly what part of the constitution it's in. On the border it is right and proper. Pulling over speeders or stopping looters. No way no how. I always thought it was the national guards business to help areas in time of emergency.

[Ky'sFinest]

Posse Comitatus Act of 1878

The statute generally prohibits federal military personnel and units of the National Guard under federal authority from acting in a law enforcement capacity within the United States, except where expressly authorized by the Constitution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution) or Congress (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress). - Wikipedia

i think this was destroyed by the bush man. it seems as if these guys are working together??? military should not be first response imo. police should not be a mock military.

but in america now days freedom and liberty are becoming a precious commodity. and mine and your opinions don't mean nothing. unless they are for the great leader.

[kycowboy]

Bad Bad thing to start

[patiodaddy]

It's called the Posse Comitatus Act... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posse_Comitatus_Act

I would really like to know who sent the Army down there, but I would be willing to bet that we will never know.

And for the record: I do not think the Military should ever be used as Law Enforcement in any State. They can patrol our national borders for National Defense but that is it.