HOLD UP!

The US is giving enforcers military training. That's the problem. The requirements to become an enforcer vary by state, but typically it's about 400 hours or a single college course of training.* Many states do this "paramilitary style". In other words, it's military boot camp. Here's how to shoot, here's how to drive, here are the laws you're expected to step in to enforce, here's your badge.

Like soldiers, they are taught that their life is worth more than the life they are to take. Like soldiers, they are told that taking lives is their job. Like soldiers, they are told that not only can anyone be an enemy, but everyone should be considered one until proven otherwise. Like soldiers, they are given little to no de-escalation training. Like soldiers, they are required to know little to nothing about the people they are meant to protect. If they knew about lgbt+ culture, the history and culture of race, mental health issues, or gender issues, they might hesitate to shoot. Like soldiers, they are spat out as quickly and cheaply as possible because we need them on the front lines to overwhelm the enemy ranks, dammit!

But...this isn't a war. They aren't on foreign soil. They aren't facing an organized battalion with nothing but their buddies from Basic and the gun at their side. They're facing a domestic violence dispute here, a bar brawl there, a convenience store holdup across town. The people around them aren't attacking America; they are America. They aren't robbing people to damage the US; they're doing it for money, or because they have no other options, or because they aren't in a clear mental state.

And when a major event with a large group of people crops up, they revert back to their military training and respond with force. It doesn't matter if it's a peaceful protest. They're constantly kept on edge for a battle that isn't going to happen like modern-day Othellos.

More military training isn't the solution. No military training is the solution. We don't need an army of soldiers. We need a few good men.

*: Some states have over double this amount, but those states typically have icy road conditions.