Posted on 03/19/2014 5:54:36 AM PDT by rktman
The office of sheriff was created to address worries exactly like the rampant militarization of police forces in America, claim two sheriffs who have challenged elected officials in their states over what they believe are unconstitutional abuses of power.
Right now the threat to individual Americans from al-Qaida and other groups is nowhere near the threat we face from officials in our own country who are working at taking away our liberties, Delaware Sheriff Jeff Christopher told WND.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
“SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF!”
Here in Maine there is a bill floating in the legislature to have all CCW permits handled by the state police instead of the local jurisdictions.
This is a small but significant step in undermining the sheriffs.
Sadly, ours was one of two in the state that supported the intergalactic background check bill during the last legislative session. The other one was from Clark county. Ours is not seeking re-election and there are 5 candidates running for the job. All five filed as “non-partisan”. WTH?
States truly need to begin to draft “police anti-paramilitarization” laws. It is not terribly difficult.
1) Police departments have an authorized equipment list vetted by the state police. This doesn’t just include weapons and explosives, but armored vehicles, machine guns, communications equipment and regular vehicles. If it is not on the approved list, they must turn it over for storage by their county Sheriff, in his facilities, not theirs.
2) Police departments are prohibited from either giving to or receiving anything, especially money, directly from the federal government. It must all go through the state police.
3) Police academy training will reflect de-paramilitarization.
4) Arizona is now trying to exclude evidence in criminal trials obtained through means that violate the 4th amendment. This should also include no-knock warrants and warrantless searches except in extraordinary circumstances.
I bet the progs would love to do that nationwide. That would eliminate any local constitutional officers capable of projecting force, and preventing their dastardly schemes of taking the rights of citizens.
The problem with this is that it is assumed the sheriff is some kind of patriot defending freedom. I can’t speak for the rest of the country, but in the Deep South that is generally not the case. I trust the staties and the feds more than I trust any GA sheriff. The Boss Hogg stereotype exists for a reason.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.