The pot part of the WOD is ridiculous.
Even if you don't agree with the above, a full SWAT team for a home pot bust is ridiculous.
And, if the police don't clearly announce themselves and give the suspect a chance to answer the door, bad shootings are inevitable. That this happens all too often is only confirmed by the fact that many home invasions are often commenced by the criminals breaking in and screaming "Police". Its only worthwhile to do because police do it all too often--otherwise it wouldn't work. Too many toys, too much publicity, too much adrenaline.
Absolutely correct. I'd like to see the affadavit for the warrant to see what other info they were taking into consideration that is not being reported.
Just for laffs, find out how many SWAT Teams are operating in your county. I'll bet your Housing Authority Police have one. Perhaps your Park Police another. Then there's the Sheriff's Department. Then every town PD. Be very afraid. These hyper-armed squads are necessary ... but definitely not in the numbers that exist now. It has become a small town industry and is a misuse of Federal funds ... a classic case of unintended consequences.
What it means is that you have SWAT Teams with time on their hands who are just itching for action and literally looking for things to do to justify their existence. Unfortunately, what they do tends to wind up in court afterwards and the damage settlements are huge.
Rightly so. I certainly do not know all the facts of this case. But when it hits court, I bet I'll get to find out, and what I am going to find out ain't gonna be good.
BTW, in every county in this country their are some very bad boys wanted on outstanding warrants. Why not employ the officers sitting around the SWAT Ready Room to pick up a few of these guys. Let's find out how tough SWAT guys really are.