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The vast majority of interactions with the public can be taken care of with non-lethal means, tasers, etc... (if any are even necessary).

Lethal weapons should be in a remote lock holster in their cruiser, and must be unlocked remotely by a supervisor on a per-case basis depending on the facts at hand (suspect's history, potential risk, etc...)

Maybe that's pie in the sky optimism, I don't know.

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[-] MushuChupacabra@piefed.world 47 points 2 months ago

The current version of Law Enforcement needs to be dumped and rebuilt from the ground up.

To Serve and Protect the People of Our Community

should be the standard. If this was the actual standard, you'd see a general decrease in overall weaponization.

[-] dan1101@lemmy.world 30 points 2 months ago

End qualified immunity, require police to carry insurance like doctors do, end "police vs citizens", "guilty until proven innocent", and "you have nothing to worry about if you have nothing to hide" mentality.

[-] Malyca@lemmy.zip 15 points 2 months ago

And civil forfeiture

[-] anomnom@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago

Wrongful death suits paid from union pension funds should clear things up fast.

[-] MushuChupacabra@piefed.world 2 points 2 months ago

Malpractice insurance, and a regulatory college that can pull your license to practice law enforcement.

Bachelor's in Social Work as a prerequisite to the additional Law Enforcement degree.

[-] ExtremeDullard@piefed.social 34 points 2 months ago

There's no reason for ordinary citizens to have unlimited access to lethal weapons either.

[-] dual_sport_dork@lemmy.world 36 points 2 months ago

Them first.

[-] Dookieman12@piefed.social 11 points 2 months ago

It's a good thing ordinary citizens don't have unlimited access to lethal weapons then.

[-] Malyca@lemmy.zip 8 points 2 months ago

I can think of several reasons right now, namely the fascistic government.

[-] ExtremeDullard@piefed.social 4 points 2 months ago

I don't see anyone rising up.

[-] LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net 22 points 2 months ago

So brave posting this on Lemmy.

You are of course, completely correct but this is hardly unpopular on this platform.

[-] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 11 points 2 months ago

So brave posting this on Lemmy.

Other than Mastodon this is the only social media presence I keep around. So I'm limited. It was either here or c/showerthoughts. Figured it fit better here since controversial is a kissing-cousin to unpopular

[-] cRazi_man@europe.pub 8 points 2 months ago

Also, many countries do work like this. As usual this post presumes everyone is in USA.

[-] Klear@piefed.world 9 points 2 months ago

Do you really think this is unpopular?

[-] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 months ago

Maybe not in the Lemmy-verse where well all tend to lean left. But certainly in America at large.

[-] SayJess@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Non-lethal weapons in the hands of the state is an oxymoron. Pigs shoot protesters in the face at near point-blank range with rubber bullets, which can blind, cause TBI, or even kill. They taser people in the head, which can cause TBI, or even kill. They sit on people’s neck’s until they die. They hit people in the head with batons, which (you’ve guessed it) can blind, cause TBI, or even kill. They put people in head-locks. They sick dogs on them. Did I mention that this force is applied before a person has even been charged with a crime?

All of those listed above are considered “non-lethal”.

You’ve posted a popular opinion on a left leaning social network. Pretty much any other community on Lemmy would be better suited for your post.

[-] onipa@feddit.org 4 points 2 months ago
[-] ryathal@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago

The fascist dystopia of watchmen allowed cops to be completely anonymous for their safety, but still restricted officers access to firearms. We've blown past the parody at this point.

[-] emergencyfood@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 months ago

Most police(wo)man in my country don't carry weapons. Armed police have either batons and shields or guns (usually rifles). Police officers can apply for and be given service pistols if needed. Both guns and bullets have to be accounted for.

[-] yesman@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

There is no reason for a run-of-the-mill citizen to have access to lethal weapons.

[-] paranoid@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

I think the number of guns law enforcement has access to will be somewhat proportionate to the number of guns the public has access to. It's completely reasonable to say "citizens don't have guns so now law enforcement will not feel the need to regularly carry guns"

Unfortunately America has more guns than people, so I'm not sure we'll ever get there

[-] HubertManne@piefed.social 2 points 2 months ago

wow. first unpopular opinion I have had to downvote in awhile. I figure the trunk should be hardened from intrusion and be the emergency unlock thing.

[-] OldQWERTYbastard@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 months ago

Then we don't need to expect run of the mill cops to show up to life threatening situations.

[-] Fizz -1 points 2 months ago

lethal weapons should be in a remote lock holster in their cruiser

They are

[-] betterdeadthanreddit@lemmy.world -1 points 2 months ago

As long as we pair them with psychics who can predict with absolute certainty how an upcoming encounter will play out, sure.

this post was submitted on 20 Jul 2026
153 points (90.1% liked)

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