“The MRAP that was reutilized through the 1033 program was declared excess by the Defense Department, it was not purchased using taxpayer funds. It was transferred to Prosper Police Department as a conditional loan, and it will be returned to the DOD when Prosper PD no longer requires it,” according to the Defense Logistics Agency.
So the taxpayers did pay for it, just not only local taxpayers. It was taxpayers nationwide through the DoD budget, proving they don’t actually need everything we’re paying for. So the rest of the country is paying for some bumblefuck police department to get an MRAP.
What is the supposed justification for this department “requiring” this MRAP be “loaned” to them? DOD equipment and functionality should NEVER be utilized by police. The two are different groups for a reason. If the police need assistance at that level, they can call in the National Guard for that help. That’s why they exist. There is no reason a local police department ever needs an MRAP.
To be fair, the military never wanted these. They were a political requirement because Congress wanted a war with zero casualties. But they failed at stopping casualties and they failed at being useful military vehicles because they couldn’t drive off road reliably. So we spent hundreds of billions on these things and now we have to replace them with vehicles that actually work off road and protect soldiers.
DOD equipment and functionality should NEVER be utilized by police. The two are different groups for a reason.
“There’s a reason you separate military and the police. One fights the enemies of the state, the other serves and protects the people. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the state tend to become the people.” - Commander Adama in Battlestar Galactica
A bit idealistic in the police serving and protecting but I agree with the sentiment.
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So the taxpayers did pay for it, just not only local taxpayers. It was taxpayers nationwide through the DoD budget, proving they don’t actually need everything we’re paying for. So the rest of the country is paying for some bumblefuck police department to get an MRAP.
What is the supposed justification for this department “requiring” this MRAP be “loaned” to them? DOD equipment and functionality should NEVER be utilized by police. The two are different groups for a reason. If the police need assistance at that level, they can call in the National Guard for that help. That’s why they exist. There is no reason a local police department ever needs an MRAP.
To be fair, the military never wanted these. They were a political requirement because Congress wanted a war with zero casualties. But they failed at stopping casualties and they failed at being useful military vehicles because they couldn’t drive off road reliably. So we spent hundreds of billions on these things and now we have to replace them with vehicles that actually work off road and protect soldiers.
“There’s a reason you separate military and the police. One fights the enemies of the state, the other serves and protects the people. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the state tend to become the people.” - Commander Adama in Battlestar Galactica
A bit idealistic in the police serving and protecting but I agree with the sentiment.