Sheriff Nou responds
— by Lin McNulty —
As we watch and read about recent and ongoing events in Ferguson, Missouri, a big question comes to mind: Does our county sheriff’s office need advanced military weapons to outfit our island locality?
We, of course, want to think “that could never happen here,” that an unarmed teen could be shot six times by a local police officer. There are, however, other questions being brought to light in view of the Department of Defense Excess Property Program (the 1033 Program) which makes it possible for local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to acquire military surplus supplies for the cost of shipping and maintenance.
In order to participate in the 1033 Program, a police agency merely needs to fill out a one-page application (HERE). Once approved, the agency then has access to a catalog with a full array of military gear, weapons, and vehicles.
Orcas Issues posed the following questions to Sheriff Rob Nou.
Does SJCSO participate in the 1033 Program?
The Sheriff’s Office does participate in the DOD 1033 Program.
If so, what equipment has been received?
We received six semi-automatic patrol rifles several years ago.
(Editor’s Note: DoD records indicate seven 5.56mm rifles were obtained by San Juan County on December 13, 2010.)
Were any boats obtained through the program?
None of our boats have been obtained through this program.
How many boats does SJCSO have? How many more are anticipated?
We currently have four boats, but as the new public safety boat is fully placed in service, the Boston Whaler currently assigned to Orcas will be decommissioned. A new vessel is under construction currently, and when it is put into service late this year, it will replace the Almar patrol boat assigned to Lopez. The Almar will come out of the Sheriff’s Office inventory, but may remain in county service in the “motor pool” for all departments to use as needed. The Sheriff’s Office operates three vessels.
Is there any weaponry on board the boat(s)?
Our boats are not armed beyond the self defense weapons carried by the deputies.
So, no heavily militarized police force exists in San Juan County at this time.
Please please wait for some facts to come out before blithely parroting this “unarmed teenager” cliche: I suggest that anybody who’s reached the age of majority, feeling no pain, in need of an anger management workshop (just having damaged my skull), now charging at me, taller than 6 feet, over 250 lbs, could be trouble. And in my own adrenalin rush, sensing my life in jeopardy, but trained/equipped to defend myself, sorry, but I’d avail myself of that training too, especially when the first five shots still haven’t stopped the assailant. In my book, the assailant, armed with unchecked blind rage could/should be tried (or even buried!) as an adult. Just a thought, Lin, thanks.
Though this is not a hot spot for crime, it is important for our officers to have the tools accessible to handle any situation. That being said, six semi-automatic patrol rifles should be more than adequate to handle those situations. I’ve been to 2 combat zones and most of the time my rifle and side arm was all I had. Remember, its not the guns that kill, its the people behind them; just because our officers are armed with military weapons doesn’t make them any more likely to use lethal force then before. There is a lot more to “militarizing law enforcement” then just guns and boats; I’m more concerned about drones. They are way over priced, absolutely unnecessary, and a complete waste of tax payers money.
A one page form. Did a military supply lobbyist write this for the government? I would like to see a copy of the current filled in form.
Here is a link to a database search tool (by county) of items handed out by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which oversees the Law Enforcement Support Office program:
https://www.freep.com/interactive/article/20140817/NEWS06/140726001/database-militarization-police-michigan?appSession=926116984399635&RecordID=&PageID=2&PrevPageID=1&cpipage=1&CPISortType=&CPIorderBy=
Hey Carl, please take your own advice and wait until the facts are released and proven. You have prematurely characterized the victim in this engagement as “feeling no pain, in need of an anger management workshop(just having damaged my skull)”. Seems to me that you have already concluded that deadly force was justified regardless of the yet-to-be proven actions, or non-actions, of the deceased victim.
I agree with Carl. I expect poor journalism from all the mainstream media, but I thought our small time press was above jumping on the bandwagon. You were not there. An 18 year old is considered an adult. Assaulting officers is a really bad idea. Try not to perpetuate the mainstream media’s lust for catchy headlines and rabble rousing. Let’s wait for the facts to come out before we pin the blame on the officer. As for out local law enforcement- they should have rifles just as we as citizens should.
Lin:
Thanks for your clear, objective and factual reporting – – an unarmed teenager was, in fact, shot six times (at least)by a local police officer in Ferguson, MO. None of these widely reported facts have been disputed. This is all you represented, so any characterization of your comments as blithely parroting a cliche is woefully wrong and unfair.
Nelson, touche, if the victim was, indeed, an unarmed teenager. I’m just sad that the current mainstream is so quick to jump to conclusions, and that our local/national newsreaders insert soooo many suspect adjective/adverbs into their “news.” Too much knee-jerk, not enough fact at this point, methinks.
I’m with you: lessee what happened, context please, scale it back, reset. But if news sources can talk about “unarmed teenagers” out of the box, sorry, I bristle, reflexively, eyebrows raised. Best – cb
Law Enforcement Agencies have a Use of Force Policy installed into their standard operating procedures which is generally set fourth by the Department of Justice and in this policy is describes subject size factor.
Size of subject to size of officer. Folks are saying this this young man had no weapons how many of you have ever watched or trained in some sort of MMA type fighting it’s pretty intense and works as with causes death and serious injuries if not trained properly.
Looking at the photos of the young man and the Police Officer there appears to be a rather large subject to size factor.
It never amazes me how many people want to “Monday Morning Quarterback” the actions of a Law Enforcement Official these people should put themselves in the officer/deputies shoes. Go out on patrol get ridiculed for doing your job and not knowing what that next call will bring you.
For those of you saying ‘Why couldn’t he shoot to wound the man” it’s pretty simple law enforcement and military personal are trained to stop the threat. So back to this young adult who supposedly just robbed a store and assaulted a police officer.
How was this officer supposed to know if this young man was going to go home and watch an episode of the Waltons or continue on with his aggressive, assaultive actions.
The media is the worst rather it’s Fox, CNN, MSN, PBR they spin the story into their own words and point the finger of blame.
Now back to the San Juan County Sheriffs Office and their 6 military style weapons. I feel the Sheriff should apply for more grant money and supply all the patrol deputies with the proper equipment/tools to assist them in effectively doing their job. The bad guys have bigger guns then most patrol officers now a days.
That’s what we need a couple of turret mounted 50 caliber machine guns on Humvees patrolling the mean streets of Eastsound. Good idea Pat. Better to be safe than sorry.
Gary did I mention 50 Caliber machine guns on Humvees. Nope I simply suggested getting the proper tools to do the job. You can spin it anyway you would like though. Personally I like the “Community Policing, Verbal compliance” law enforcement approach myself. But unfortunately in the world we live in it’s not all Mayberry.
To all concerned folks… take a few moments to listen to this mornings’ first hour program hosted by Diane Rehm, which discusses police ‘militarization’ & the use of deadly force, as related to the ‘general’ public, as well as used for ‘crowd control’ in Ferguson, Missouri. Diane Rehm has selected a panel of guests, notable in their fields & all connected to the law, police & justice areas. It is a thought-provoking near-hour-long discussion, punctuated with listener emails & comments. Might prove interesting to all & provide aspects that warrant keeping this dialogue moving forward. Diane Rehm.org or The Diane Rehm Show @ WAMU.
Sheriff Nou said “We received six semi-automatic patrol rifles several years ago.” and Orcas Issues adds:
(Editor’s Note: DoD records indicate seven 5.56mm rifles were obtained by San Juan County on December 13, 2010.)
So where is this 7th rifle?