Posted on 02/29/2016 7:38:08 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
The Minneapolis Police Department's SWAT team is getting new uniforms to minimize the perception of a "militarized" look.
The police department said they will not eliminate any necessary equipment but will just change the color from military green to dark navy blue, which the department says is more consistent with traditional police uniform and equipment colors.
Police department officials say they made the change after community members both locally and nationally voiced concerns about the militarized look of the SWAT team. They say the SWAT team is not a military unit and is not trained by the military, so they want to help change that perception.
Almost every day, Minneapolis Police Commander Scott Gerlicher suits up in blue and white. However, when the 60 men and women he oversees on the SWAT team respond to a call, they wear that army green and camouflage.
"It's no secret; There have been concerns at the local level about the militarized look of the police department," Commander Gerlicher said. "I think there is a certain level of confusion sometimes by people that see vehicles and or officers that roll up in camouflage or military green equipment wondering what's happening."
Commander Gerlicher said that the color change is relatively simple to make and could make a difference in public perception.
"We are police. We're not military. We don't train with military. We're not associated with the military. We're the Minneapolis Police Department and we want to be reflective of our own community and our own image."
Commander Gerlicher says the blue SWAT uniforms will cost well under $50,000 and that the department will start rolling out the new look over the next two years. Some green will still remain out on the streets for a little while but as the more expensive tactical vests and helmets wear out, the department will start replacing those items with new vests and helmets in navy blue.
The SWAT team is comprised of Minneapolis police officers who have specialized training and equipment; most of the team members have full-time duties as patrol officers and sergeants, department officials say.
Sorry about that. Tried to post the little picture. Just didn’t work out.
At least I didn’t post it in Breaking News...
on the trauma plate carriers...
It’s a good move. Police equipment should be blue, specifically to differentiate it from military. It’s a step in the right direction, I think.
‘1984’
That’s a good option for the Freedom hating Minnehaha cops; another good option would be copies of Hitlery’s pantsuits. They would look like the people they are wearing those outfits.
This is a good and correct decision, and I applaud the Minneapolis PD’s judgment in this case. Police are not military.
Somehow we made it from 1776 to 1976 without SWAT, and the sooner they are gone the better. Bad idea by a stupid generation of law enforcement.
Agreed.
I would like to see about 75 percent of the SWAT teams disbanded. There are too many of them and they are over used to the point of being abused.
They were forced into it by BLM types and local liberal city councils.
They had no choice.
Just a little big, 800 pix is about right.
Yeah SWAT. Wannabe solders. They want to LOOK like troops but without having to actually DO what the troops do: Face a determined enemy. And on the cheap.
I know, I screwed up. Not my strong point.
Hey, it’s Minneapolis...how about Raspberry Berets? And they could all drive Little Red Corvettes...
A shift in uniform color. Doesn’t change their equipment requirements.
The local (liberal) city council members look like HEROS and get elected, yet again.
What movie is that from?? I saw a snippet of it years ago on cable and never heard a title.
Seemed like something about local rednecks versus a terrorist cell...?
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