[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

There is a difference between having the tools to defend yourself, and whatever policing has become in the States. We are seeing it now in Canada, as well. The militarization of police is absolutely terrifying.

There is no reason why any police, other than SWAT/fast response, should have a military grade vehicle, or look like anything intimidating. There is no reason why everything should be black in color. There is no reason why a cop should be wearing flashbangs, tear gas, various other implements of war hanging off of his/her bulletproof vest. They should not have military grade armaments.

They should have exactly the tools to get the job done. They should be wearing baby blues, with a simple vest. If a situation is beyond what the are armed to handle, which happens very very rarely, then you deescalate and call in the appropriate backup.

No kid in the world would be comfortable walking up to a police officer in the States and asking for directions, when the cops look like that. The cops and RCMP in the Calgary area look as intimidating as hell.

I don't think the police are too intimidating