READ ABOUT: Little Rock's Newest Corrupt Police Chief Kenton Buckner
READ ABOUT: Little Rock's Newest Corrupt Police Chief Kenton Buckner
LITTLE ROCK MOVES ONE STEP CLOSER TO POLICE STATE
LITTLE ROCK, AR — Police in Little Rock are gearing up in anticipation to violent clashes in other states by stepping up efforts to protect officers. Over the last week every certified officer at the Little Rock Police Department has been fitted for riot gear. Currently, the equipment is only issued to the 45 officers on the Special Response unit. But the department wants to buy enough for all 535 officers.
LRPD says recent clashes between police and protesters in cities like Baltimore show the need to step up officer protection. “We have to be prepared if there is an incident like that should it occur here,” said LRPD Sgt. Cassandra Davis.
But some worry the new equipment will do more harm than good. “It does more to aggravate and incite rioting than it does to deter it,” said civil rights activist Rizelle Aaron. Aaron worries the new equipment will increase the possibility of protests turning violent.
He points to a tense situation in Little Rock two summers ago where he says an angry crowd actually dispersed when officers showed restraint.
“In the African American and poor community, there’s already an expectation to use force on them,” Aaron said.
Sgt. Davis says the chief is worried about officers looking too much like soldiers but adds that keeping the community safe means making sure officers are prepared for whatever may come their way.
BY KENNETH COOK
READ ABOUT: Little Rock's Newest Corrupt Police Chief Kenton Buckner
LITTLE ROCK MOVES ONE STEP CLOSER TO POLICE STATE
LITTLE ROCK, AR — Police in Little Rock are gearing up in anticipation to violent clashes in other states by stepping up efforts to protect officers. Over the last week every certified officer at the Little Rock Police Department has been fitted for riot gear. Currently, the equipment is only issued to the 45 officers on the Special Response unit. But the department wants to buy enough for all 535 officers.
LRPD says recent clashes between police and protesters in cities like Baltimore show the need to step up officer protection. “We have to be prepared if there is an incident like that should it occur here,” said LRPD Sgt. Cassandra Davis.
But some worry the new equipment will do more harm than good. “It does more to aggravate and incite rioting than it does to deter it,” said civil rights activist Rizelle Aaron. Aaron worries the new equipment will increase the possibility of protests turning violent.
He points to a tense situation in Little Rock two summers ago where he says an angry crowd actually dispersed when officers showed restraint.
“In the African American and poor community, there’s already an expectation to use force on them,” Aaron said.
Sgt. Davis says the chief is worried about officers looking too much like soldiers but adds that keeping the community safe means making sure officers are prepared for whatever may come their way.
BY KENNETH COOK
READ ABOUT: Little Rock's Newest Corrupt Police Chief Kenton Buckner
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