24 Questions
What did Radley Balko publish in 2014?
A book on the war on drugs
Why did Radley Balko title his book 'Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces'?
To criticize the use of SWAT teams
What does the cover of Radley Balko's book depict?
A line of riot police clad in black protective gear
What term does Radley Balko use to describe the officers in his book?
A “riot team. dressed like Robocops”
What is a risk for smaller police departments with SWAT teams?
Becoming overly militarized and de-emphasizing de-escalation
What was the impact of the Hollywood bank robbery incident on police tactics?
Increased militarization due to the robbers' armor
How do police officers approach their jobs, according to the text?
With a sense of realism, not paranoia
What is a potential consequence of the stresses and dangers of the job for police officers?
Sense of isolation due to living and socializing with each other
According to Balko, what event led to images of a city out of control?
1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle
What was a significant behavior exhibited by demonstrators during the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle?
Beating officers, throwing rocks, and setting fires
What did the police chief decide against doing?
Assaulting the gunman
What was the alternative argument made about the gunman's death?
The gunman was summarily executed
Why was tear gas not used on the gunman?
It could have led to a gun battle
What raised an ethical dilemma in the situation involving the gunman?
The use of a controlled robot
According to Shane (2010), what characterizes police departments?
Decentralized and fragmented
What characterizes military and fire departments according to the text?
Cohesive and centralized
What controversial decision did the police make during the Dallas police shootings in 2016?
Using a robot equipped with a pound of C-4 explosive to kill the gunman
What did the Seattle Police Department have as options when dealing with obstructers refusing to disperse?
Using batons with potential physical harm or employing chemical irritants and other less lethal munitions
What did some argue about the use of tear gas during the Battle of Seattle?
It's a 'blunt instrument' causing harm to innocent bystanders and contaminating nearby buildings
What was the outcome of the Dallas police shootings in 2016?
One officer killed and the gunman killed by a robot equipped with explosives
Why did critics question the use of a robot for killing the gunman in Dallas?
They compared it to military tactics borrowed from Iraq and Afghanistan
What could have been an alternative approach to dealing with the Dallas gunman instead of using a robot?
Storming the gunman's position with shields, which would likely result in a higher number of officer casualties due to the gunman's automatic weapon
What did the critics call the incident during the Dallas police shootings in 2016?
'Killer robot' story
Why did some argue that tear gas used in the Battle of Seattle was controversial?
'Blunt instrument' causing harm to innocent bystanders and contaminating nearby buildings
Study Notes
- The after-action report of the Seattle protests in 2008 noted that SPD had two options when dealing with obstructers refusing to disperse: using batons with potential physical harm or employing chemical irritants and other less lethal munitions.
- The Battle of Seattle was labeled as a riot, during which large quantities of tear gas were used. Some argue that it's a "blunt instrument" causing harm to innocent bystanders and contaminating nearby buildings.
- The Dallas police shootings in 2016 took place during a Black Lives Matter protest. One officer was killed, and Micah Johnson, the gunman, was later trapped in the El Centro Community College.
- The SWAT team used two hundred rounds of gunfire and attempted negotiations for two hours. The gunman was identified, and the police used a robot equipped with a pound of C-4 explosive to kill him, a controversial decision.
- Five police officers and nine others were injured, and two civilians were also wounded. Critics questioned the use of a robot for an execution-style killing and compared it to military tactics borrowed from Iraq and Afghanistan.
- The police could have stormed the gunman's position with shields, but this would have likely resulted in a higher number of officer casualties due to the gunman's automatic weapon.
- The gunman had initially engaged in incoherent conversations with the police negotiators, making a true resolution seem unlikely.
- The critics called the incident a "killer robot" story and raised concerns about police becoming a militarized force.
- The Dallas police chief believed the gunman was delusional and had no intention of surrendering.
- The robot was not damaged during the encounter, but some critics argued that the gunman deserved due process and that the use of a robot was an execution-style killing.
Test your knowledge on the use of force by law enforcement in contentious situations. Explore the considerations and consequences of employing different methods when faced with non-compliant individuals.
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