Back To From The Streets

During the Spring and Summer of 2005 Copwatch on several occations have witnessed BPD Officers in the Drug Task Force and Patrol Division displaying Colt M-4 Assault Rifles.

These Weapons are minuture M-16's, the same model used in Iraq for urban combat. Until recently, BPD had only been documented displaying these heavy fire power weapons when the assistance of the Hostage Barricade Negotiation Impact Team (SWAT) were needed. Generally these were extreme circumstances such as an officer being fired upon or a hostage situation. These types of police operation also would warrant entire blocks being cordoned offto ensure public safetey.

It is important also to note that while memebers of the BPD are trained in rifle proficiancy, police officers are trained to use only as much force needed to overcome a situatuation. A soldier on the other hand is trained to use powerful force to not only overcome a situation but to nuetralize it.

This can become confusing for officers to switch from the role of a peace officer to paramilitary soldiers. If anything it can confuse the officer as to what their actual role in society is. In recent monthes community members have been coming forward with incidents where people were pulled over in South Berkeley and greeted by Officers toting these assault rifles.

While we all want our neighborhoods to be safer, introducing these types of weapons into the daily police presence in South Berkeley doesn't seem fitting. In the two Video incidents documented by Copwatch it is clear that that BPD officers armed and displaying assault rifles did not secure the area in a meaniful way, thus allowing civilians to walk into potentially threatening situation just by the virtue of having so many dangerpous weapons present, let alone the supposed "crimes" in progress. While copwatch does not have specific information regarding the potential danger these weapons pose, it is clear that these guns will go through humans, cars, and houses.

When entire rounds are shot from this weapon one can only imagine the mayhem and destruction these weapons can produce. The Police Review Board's unofficial inquiriy of the matter yielded only how many offciers were trained to use rifles. Nothing was noted about when these guns were to be deployed, the chain of command when these weapons are displayed, or the importance of community safety.

Any resident of Berkeley deserves to live in a safe neighborhood but this type of paramilitary policing will only lead to the inevitable. That these weapons will be used on civilians. If you are concerned about the lack of restrictions and accountability in regards to BPD Police using assault rifles please contact Copwatch at 510-548-0425.

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