Orange County, Florida Sheriff Blithely Proclaims: ‘We Are A Paramilitary Organizatio

[downtownv]

Orange County, Florida Sheriff Blithely Proclaims: ‘We Are A Paramilitary Organization’

August 15, 2013 by Ben Bullard
A Wednesday Orlando Sentinel report on a hiring spree at the burgeoning Orange County, Florida Sheriff’s Office quoted Sheriff Jerry Demings unironically describing his department as a “paramilitary organization.”
From the story:
An improving economy has allowed Demings to open 125 positions that have been frozen since 2009. So far, 60 have been filled as the pool of qualified applicants grows with service members leaving the military and entering civilian life, said the Sheriff’s Recruiting and Background Manager Mary Ann Salazar.
“We are a paramilitary organization, so hiring veterans makes sense, and its important to the sheriff to bring in these highly skilled men and women,” Salazar said.
Demings said more than half of the deputies hired into one of the $38,000-$40,000 per-year positions come from a military background. The sheriff’s comments demonstrate an obvious confidence in the quality of his new hires, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
But it’s incredible how oblivious more and more officers, police chiefs and sheriffs – many of them conscientious and well-intentioned – are becoming to the changing character of law enforcement in America.
The same goes for the general public. The Sentinel report eschews even a passing mention of the trend, and doesn’t make any connections between Orange County’s hiring pattern and the overall movement, Nationwide, toward the militarization of our civilian public servants in the law enforcement field.

[ltxi]

Civilian police are and have always been paramilitary organizations. What the hell is your point?

[JohnR]

Not exactly.

Paramilitary
adjective
1. noting or pertaining to an organization operating as, in place of, or as a supplement to a regular military force: a paramilitary police unit.

[ltxi]

Not exactly.

Paramilitary
adjective
1. noting or pertaining to an organization operating as, in place of, or as a supplement to a regular military force: a paramilitary police unit.

Don't get so frikkin' picky. Aside from not citing your source and suppressing any secondary meanings, I'm sure you're perfectly aware of use of the term in common vernacular.

[MikeyKahr]

Act paramilitary? Yes. Should they? No. If they want to be military, off to the Department of Defense they should go. Or Department of Homeland Security. Or the Department of War. I mean CIA. How many Departments we have these days?

[downtownv]

Civilian police are and have always been paramilitary organizations. What the hell is your point?

You need to ask the Author "What hell's your point":p

[ltxi]

They don't act paramilitary wrt JohnR's definition. They are paramilitary wrt organizational discipline. Big difference and the way it should be. You want cop shops organized and run like McDonalds or Burger King? Didn't think so.

[deadeye]

No way like McDonald's. They should have black uniforms, fully automatic weapons, combat tanks and break peoples doors down without a warrant. If it's the wrong house - oh, well no big deal. Unless of course it's your house.

[ltxi]

You need to ask the Author "What hell's your point":p

No, I don't. I asked you. If you don't understand your post well enough to defend it at a basic level........

And before this gets even further out of hand....politics rant thread being where this actually belongs....I'm going now. Any further rebuttal, PM me.

[JohnR]

Dictionary.com, and it was the only definition.

The same source defines the prefix "para-" thus:

1. a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, most often attached to verbs and verbal derivatives, with the meanings “at or to one side of, beside, side by side” ( parabola; paragraph; parallel; paralysis ), “beyond, past, by” ( paradox; paragogue ); by extension from these senses, this prefix came to designate objects or activities auxiliary to or derivative of that denoted by the base word ( parody; paronomasia ), and hence abnormal or defective ( paranoia ), a sense now common in modern scientific coinages ( parageusia; paralexia ). As an English prefix, para-1 may have any of these senses; it is also productive in the naming of occupational roles considered ancillary or subsidiary to roles requiring more training, or of a higher status, on such models as paramedical and paraprofessional: paralegal; paralibrarian; parapolice.
2. a combining form designating the para (1, 4) position in the benzene ring. Abbreviation: p-.


If it's incorrect, please cite the source that overrides it.

[muggsy]

Police department are paramilitary organizations. The have uniforms, a chain of command, ranks, arms, etc. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the police department being a paramilitary organization, unless of course, you are some kind of liberal, pinko, a-hole who hates the military. :)

[downtownv]

The have uniforms, a chain of command, ranks, arms, etc.

That's the only fair comparison... They are NOT military. they have one function to enforce the laws of their appropriate jurisdiction.That does NOT give them the same leeway as a military soldier in or out of times of war.
Any LEO disagree with this? Is it you job to do anything other than enforce the law? Serve the public i.e. fires 1st aid etc.
A soldier's job is Radically different and when any cop wants to think he's a para military.... quit you job! Join the armed forces, you are dangerous to you community and your family.
Muggsy, there are others Vets here besides you and I think your thinking like this is scary.
This wack job in Orange county needs to step down if he thinks he has to go to war with the citizens he was hired and sworn to protect and serve!
War is ugly and very brutal there is no place for police officers to be in that mindset. Anyone thinking war is glamorous hasn't been in one....

[muggsy]

The police are not the military. That's why the Chief said that they were para-military. In a time of war the police can assist the military, or the military can run rough shod over you under Marshall Law. If a police officer exceeds his authority he is dealt with accordingly. Is it possible that you could be overly sensitive on this issue? Sure sounds like it.

[Bawanna]

I think the definitions are a little off here or we're focusing too much on the precise definition perhaps.

Police departments and sheriffs offices are run like a military organization.

As stated, chain of command, command post, structure, organization etc.

Their duties are different. I think of it as soldier enforcing peace and officer enforcing the law.

In my small mind cops have it much tougher since they can't scratch their crotch without it being on the 5 oclock news and when they face shoot somebody they better have a damn good reason and sometimes no reason will be enough.

A soldier is more likely to let it fall in collateral damage if he goofs.

LE has mimicked and copied the military since time began. Whatever gun the military likes LE usually likes. I usually don't agree with that since most of the people that pick the tools for the military are clueless which is actually another similarity to LE, the people that pick tools for LE are usually clueless too.

Now when we get into tanks, half tracks, etc I think LE is going a bit far, but then again some of the big cities, (think LA) have had that stuff for years.

[downtownv]

Mugs
Not oversensitive but if a cop want to act like GI Joe he should be a soldier not a cop.. That's all.
But I see too many cops that think they are soldier like, among fellow citizens and it's the wrong mind set, imo..

[Longitude Zero]

Mugs
Not oversensitive but if a cop want to act like GI Joe he should be a soldier not a cop.. That's all.
But I see too many cops that think they are soldier like, among fellow citizens and it's the wrong mind set, imo..

As a point of education there are a "lot" of police officers who are also currently in the Reserves or the Guard. So your supposition about being one of the other is demonstrably FALSE!!!

Bawanna I agree with the tanks thingy you posted. As to the use of rifles, TASERS, gas etc and other handheld tools that work both ways, the complainers are really in need of serious proper education

Another T.F.H thread. Sadly we are getting way too many T..H threads lately.

For those that have a hard on for LEO's next time you are in trouble or need help, suck it up and DO NOT call 911. See how that works for ya.

[downtownv]

[QUOTE=Longitude Zero;257661]As a point of education there are a "lot" of police officers who are also currently in the Reserves or the Guard. So your supposition about being one of the other is demonstrably FALSE!!!

With all due respect.... there are 2 hats being worn by many occupations besides cops. One has to know WHICH hat to where amongst the world (home) vs in country. That being said, I have NJ State Troopers, Chief of Police and Miami Detective, as family members. I am NOT anti Police.
They all get concerned about fellow cops that think they are fighting an urban guerrilla war a la Falusia-Iraq/Helmet-Afghanistan dirt hole We called it "Flashbacks" today they call it "post traumatic stress". It's that GI Joe mentality while out cruisin' in a Black and White that get's fellow cops AND the citizens concerned, the most.
I think Police, putting the word "Military" of ANY kind, is one step away from "Boot Jack" or Storm Troopers. I want my Police dept be interactive with the community not Feared by the community.

[Longitude Zero]

A healthy amount of fear by the community is a very good thing. The first step towards respecting anything/anyone is a bit of righteous fear. It would be an abject lie if somebody claims to respect someone they don't have at least a slight fear of. I bet you respect your parents and that respect is induce by a healthy dose of fear of their reactions when you screwed up.

I am not totally at ease with the militarization of law enforcement either. However when it is my life out there on the line I demand the best equipment/training/leadership there is. Ask your friends in law enforcement if they have to go up against a suspect with an AK if they prefer a pistol or a rifle like the AR for example.

Never pay any attention of a Chief of Police. They are political pogues nothing more nothing less.

As for the G.I Joe attitude I suggest you continue some much needed research. The overwhelming majority of officers simply want to go home at the end of there shift and they are entitled to do whatever it takes to make that happen!

[jocko]

from what I can see here in Indiana, our state police guys who are extremely well trained don't act like para or any military stuff. Most are not rior military even, BUT I see this para military stuff in some of our small ass towns with guys who have zero training what so ever, nor ever been in the military.. but pin that badge on them and they go ape. I think Military trained people also want to come home at nite to be with the family, bu tif u have served in our armed forces, u have to have some take home PARA MILITARY in ur blood.

It is these small town barney fiffes that scare the piss out of me. Our town has no money, so most of our 7 officers ae fat ass slobs, most hired right off the streets becuase our chief knows them or the council knows them. They have literally no real life training other than the books they ead, but boy as poor as they seem to be a week after being hired they have the real swat type sh1t on them. to me thats scary.

I respect all LEO'S. but these town marshalls etc with a marked car and guns do scrace me. Hell maybe the most of them are good people to.. Just my 21 cents.

[downtownv]

A healthy amount of fear by the community is a very good thing. The first step towards respecting anything/anyone is a bit of righteous fear. It would be an abject lie if somebody claims to respect someone they don't have at least a slight fear of. I bet you respect your parents and that respect is induce by a healthy dose of fear of their reactions when you screwed up.

I am not totally at ease with the militarization of law enforcement either. However when it is my life out there on the line I demand the best equipment/training/leadership there is. Ask your friends in law enforcement if they have to go up against a suspect with an AK if they prefer a pistol or a rifle like the AR for example.

Never pay any attention of a Chief of Police. They are political pogues nothing more nothing less.



As for the G.I Joe attitude I suggest you continue some much needed research. The overwhelming majority of officers simply want to go home at the end of there shift and they are entitled to do whatever it takes to make that happen!

Ok, we can agree on these points:)

[muggsy]

Mugs
Not oversensitive but if a cop want to act like GI Joe he should be a soldier not a cop.. That's all.
But I see too many cops that think they are soldier like, among fellow citizens and it's the wrong mind set, imo..

Many cops are former military. I was in the military and see nothing wrong with the police following the same code of conduct that I followed in the military. Every police officer that I have ever encountered showed me the utmost respect and called me sir even though I was just an enlisted man. I think that you should join the police auxiliary and find out what the police are really all about. It could just open your eyes.

[downtownv]

Many cops are former military. I was in the military and see nothing wrong with the police following the same code of conduct that I followed in the military. Every police officer that I have ever encountered showed me the utmost respect and called me sir even though I was just an enlisted man. I think that you should join the police auxiliary and find out what the police are really all about. It could just open your eyes.


I'm ok with police really. I put a kid thru NJ State police academy (said to be the toughest....short of seal training)
It's the macho outta control guy that I don't care for, as they reflect on the good guys. Words like Para sounds like a Police state like eastern Europe under the USSR days. You know, when you served.
And Thank you for your service, Welcome home.

[JERRY]

police have been and should always be paramilitary. they have and still follow a similar rank structure and military bearing. it helps prevent slop and sloth.