Actually I have been in LE for 22 years tomorow. Have been in two riot situations. Yes we trains yearly as a unit. What I object to is the line of thought here that nust because the CDU team is on scene...then it must be that they are looking to start a riot. It bs. They are on scene so that they don’t waste time trying to assemble in the event something actually breaks out. I heard the same tho g the last time we mobilized for a crowd of 5000 students burning dumpsters and committing property damage...” the riot didn’t start till the cops showed up in riot gear”.
I have worked with hundreds of officers over a 20+ year span. I have siblings who have been on the force 20+ years. I know how officers are trained to respond and behave under the most extreme of circumstances. I object to those officers who deviate from that training. Officers who escalate a situation instead of cooling it down. Officers whose ends justify the means. They are out there. I have worked with them. Because of their position of authority, their weaponry, their training, all of that makes them extremely dangerous to the public and creates in the eyes of many in that public a suspicion of ALL officers. I understand there are good and ‘bad’ officers out there but I don’t know each and every one. As a result I must protect myself by assuming the worst of every officer until they prove otherwise. Doesn’t mean I’m a jerk to officers, I’m just careful and maintain a healthy suspicion. Now that I know a little of your background, some of your previous comments reinforce my suspicion and carefulness...I honestly hope you are a ‘peace’ officer. I truly do.