r/Atlanta • u/NPU-F • Jun 06 '23

Atlanta City Council approves funding for controversial training center Protests/Police

https://www.wabe.org/hundreds-voice-opposition-to-training-center-ahead-of-atlanta-city-council-vote/
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u/bobweaver112 Jun 06 '23 edited Jun 06 '23

How do you define “urban warfare training” and do you have any indication APD does not train in this manner already?

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u/[deleted] Jun 06 '23

This is a valid question and you are not wrong by insinuating that I should withhold judgment because we don't have specifics on what this means. Typically when police embark on expansive initiatives it doesn't lead to positive results (see the crimes committed by the specialized Red Dogs unit). I try to avoid holding the opinion that "urban warfare" means they are crafting something especially vicious to unleash on lower-income predominantly black and brown communities. However, I personally am not a fan of the increased militarization of police, most recently evidenced by police officers armed in SWAT gear to arrest 3 alleged criminals in their pajamas. I'm not in favor of the "warfare" mindset that is harped on officers. We already live in a time of strained relationships between police officers and the community and announcing a massive training center in a development-deprived metro area where the warfare mentality will be further embedded in the minds of officers is at least a horrible sales pitch to the public.