[humanrebar]

> even peaceful protests are met with full riot gear and ends being peaceful as soon as that first baton-swing hits someone's skull

...except the police officers murdered in Dallas this year didn't wear riot gear on purpose and the violence started when a sniper started shooting officers. Some crazy person executed two officers in Iowa three days ago.

I'm not advocating riot gear, but there are holes in your narrative.

[TazeTSchnitzel]

A police officer or two killed says nothing about police brutality.

[humanrebar]

It says a lot actually. Police officers are humans who want to go home to their kids. Hence the riot gear. We can blame them for being too fearful, but we can also recognize that they have reasons to be afraid.

These reasons don't fit into "because The Man" narratives without some explanation.

[TazeTSchnitzel]

Humans who are vastly over-prepared for the threat they face.

They're not fighting a war, and acting like they are only increases popular resentment.

How does can an officer covered head to toe in riot gear, carrying military equipment, jumping out of an armored vehicle, engage with the community?

[ahartman00]

"A police officer or two killed" ...

"Humans who are vastly over-prepared for the threat they face"

Again, these are people who want to go home to their families.

"acting like they are only increases popular resentment"

Valid point. But the riot gear itself was a reaction to throwing stones or molotov cocktails. Sniper fire appears to be a reaction to the riot gear...

"How does can an officer covered head to toe in riot gear, carrying military equipment, jumping out of an armored vehicle, engage with the community?"

Valid point. Lets ask a similar question. How can a protester throwing stones or shooting people engage with the institutions they are trying to change?

[TazeTSchnitzel]

> "A police officer or two killed" ...

> "Humans who are vastly over-prepared for the threat they face"

> Again, these are people who want to go home to their families.

I said “or two” for a reason. Vastly more civilians are killed by police than vice-versa.

> Valid point. But the riot gear itself was a reaction to throwing stones or molotov cocktails.

Reaction or not, it's not appropriate in many situations where it's deployed.

> How can a protester throwing stones or shooting people engage with the institutions they are trying to change?

They are a tiny minority of protestors.

[ahartman00]

"Vastly more civilians are killed by police than vice-versa"

Sure, but their job is literally go find the most dangerous people in the country, and make them give up their freedom.

Imagine yourself outside the headquarters of a gang of meth cooks, known to be armed and high. Unfortunately, yeah, people get shot. Lets not pretend like these are kind, innocent people. I know sometimes their relatives will say that on tv[1]. Imagine what its like to deal with hardcore criminals on a regular basis.

"it's not appropriate in many situations where it's deployed"

I agree. The problem is, how do you know in advance? Peaceful protests can turn violent in the blink of an eye. When they do need the gear, they needed it 5 minutes ago. I would love to hear a solution that doesnt involve the police running back to their cars, right at the moment that things get out of hand.

"They are a tiny minority of protestors"

Agreed. But again, how to know which ones? Now you can see why they want to monitor social media(not taking a position here). If 99 people are saying, "grab a coat and join us for a peaceful protest", and 1 is saying "grab rocks and head the park", well, now maybe we know who to watch.

1. http://wncn.com/2016/11/03/parents-of-pizza-hut-robbery-susp...

[diyorgasms]

The police act almost as an occupying force in some communities. It does not surprise me in the few instances where they are resisted like they are an occupying force.