Private Police Corporations? SWAT Teams Claim To Be Unaccountable To Public
To study this phenomenon, we need to get our hands on reliable data. But here we run into a problem. Believe it or not, in 48 states there is no requirement for police to report this data. Until that changes, we would expect that the use of open records laws would make it possible, if not exactly easy, to piece together a comprehensive look at the use of militarized force in local policing. But look what the A.C.L.U. found when trying to do just that in Massachusetts. WaPo’s Radley Balko reports:
As it turns out, a number of SWAT teams in the Bay State are operated by what are called law enforcement councils, or LECs. These LECs are funded by several police agencies in a given geographic area and overseen by an executive board, which is usually made up of police chiefs from member police departments. In 2012, for example, the Tewksbury Police Department paid about $4,600 in annual membership dues to the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, or NEMLEC. (See page 36 of linked PDF.) That LEC has about 50 member agencies. In addition to operating a regional SWAT team, the LECs also facilitate technology and information sharing and oversee other specialized units, such as crime scene investigators and computer crime specialists.
Some of these LECs have also apparently incorporated as 501(c)(3) organizations. And it’s here that we run into problems. According to the ACLU, the LECs are claiming that the 501(c)(3) status means that they’re private corporations, not government agencies. And therefore, they say they’re immune from open records requests. Let’s be clear. These agencies oversee police activities. They employ cops who carry guns, wear badges, collect paychecks provided by taxpayers and have the power to detain, arrest, injure and kill. They operate SWAT teams, which conduct raids on private residences. And yet they say that because they’ve incorporated, they’re immune to Massachusetts open records laws. The state’s residents aren’t permitted to know how often the SWAT teams are used, what they’re used for, what sort of training they get or who they’re primarily used against.
And you thought 501(c)(3)’s were only good for hiding dark money campaign contributions from shady billionaires! Whatever your position on the use/overuse of highly militarized policing in the U.S. — 80% of which is in execution of the war on drugs, not the war on terror, by the way — these kinds of shenanigans to prevent a transparent view of government actions is unacceptable.
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By: Sandi Behrns
Sandi Behrns is a noted policy nerd, new media & web developer, and consultant to progressive organizations and campaigns. She is a senior contributor to Liberaland, and the Executive Editor of Progressive Congress News.
8 responses to Private Police Corporations? SWAT Teams Claim To Be Unaccountable To Public
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Roctuna June 27th, 2014 at 18:21
I guess this means we’ll have anonymous corporate swat-persons with the masked and gun-totin’ ability to raise unlimited funds and donate to fear-mongering politicians who will support and enlarge their swat-personhood. What a wonderful situation for them. I think that’s pretty disturbing.
Roctuna June 27th, 2014 at 18:21
I guess this means we’ll have anonymous corporate swat-persons with the masked and gun-totin’ ability to raise unlimited funds and donate to fear-mongering politicians who will support and enlarge their swat-personhood. What a wonderful situation for them. I think that’s pretty disturbing.
craig7120 June 27th, 2014 at 21:30
Its no joke. Wonder why such actions are taking place?
We stand by and watch corporations control the government and militarize our police force, we are doomed. Some have no empathy for the poor now. Poor people populations are growing faster than rich people populations, the food and water riots will be a dark chapter in american history if left up to the greedy side of human consumption.
Spirit of America June 28th, 2014 at 00:34
Craig, it’s not the evil corporations this article is about, it’s about the government hiding behind a corporate structure to not be held accountable to the public. This one is all about government running amok.
craig7120 June 28th, 2014 at 08:40
“evil corporations”?
Save the sunday school talk for your kids.
Do you think large donors to political parties have special interest?
Who has more control over our government right now, the poor or the rich? When “government runs amok” who comes into your mind that is leading the government amok runners? I hope you don’t picture the lady at the dmv, she’s not the ring leader.
Lets use both the left and the rights heavy hitters…Adelson & Koch vs Gates & Buffet
Both pair have special interest, both sides invest their money into america and have created many jobs. I think they have a tremendous amount of influence in todays political climate.
This story is about funding a military type police force with private monies, my question is why? Because when or if sht hits the fan, an uprising can be squashed without using our children in uniform, instead Mr Black Ski Mask who makes a good living will be more than excited, he will be financially motivated to fire into the crowd thats demanding basic life giving amenities.
craig7120 June 27th, 2014 at 21:30
Its no joke. Wonder why such actions are taking place?
We stand by and watch corporations control the government and militarize our police force, we are doomed. Some have no empathy for the poor now. Poor people populations are growing faster than rich people populations, the food and water riots will be a dark chapter in american history if left up to the greedy side of human consumption.
Spirit of America June 28th, 2014 at 00:34
Craig, it’s not the evil corporations this article is about, it’s about the government hiding behind a corporate structure to not be held accountable to the public. This one is all about government running amok.
craig7120 June 28th, 2014 at 08:40
“evil corporations”?
Save the sunday school talk for your kids.
Do you think large donors to political parties have special interest?
Who has more control over our government right now, the poor or the rich? When “government runs amok” who comes into your mind that is leading the government amok runners? I hope you don’t picture the lady at the dmv, she’s not the ring leader.
Lets use both the left and the rights heavy hitters…Adelson & Koch vs Gates & Buffet
Both pair have special interest, both sides invest their money into america and have created many jobs. I think they have a tremendous amount of influence in todays political climate.
This story is about funding a military type police force with private monies, my question is why? Because when or if sht hits the fan, an uprising can be squashed without using our children in uniform, instead Mr Black Ski Mask who makes a good living will be more than excited, he will be financially motivated to fire into the crowd thats demanding basic life giving amenities.