Dept. Of agriculture orders ballistic body armor

[Alpha Sierra]

The militarization of the Feds. continues unabated.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Governm...tic-Body-Armor

I'm as much opposed to the real militarization of police as you can get, but this isn't it.

[nwhpfan]

The militarization of the Feds. continues unabated.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Governm...tic-Body-Armor

Generally these types of posts are what sour threads and catagories like this. IMO it's best to fully understand an issue before just spouting off.

The "militarization of the Feds continues unabated” Please, tell us more. Cops having body armor and AR’s are nothing new. If you think cops shouldn't have this, tell us why.

I looked up what the Dept. of Ag OIG does. It seems like an LE agency that may need this sort of thing.

Now, it would just be ignorant to think the Federal LEO's of the US Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service don't need this sort of thing.

Pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978 and Section 1337 of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (P.L. 97-98), OIG Investigations is the law enforcement arm of the Department, with Department-wide investigative jurisdiction. OIG Special Agents conduct investigations of significant criminal activities involving USDA programs, operations, and personnel, and are authorized to make arrests, execute warrants, and carry firearms. The types of investigations conducted by OIG Special Agents involve criminal activities such as frauds in subsidy, price support, benefits, and insurance programs; significant thefts of Government property or funds; bribery; extortion; smuggling; and assaults on employees. Investigations involving criminal activity that affects the health and safety of the public, such as meat packers who knowingly sell hazardous food products and individuals who tamper with food regulated by USDA, are also high-profile investigative priorities. In addition, OIG Special Agents are poised to provide emergency law enforcement response to USDA declared emergencies and suspected incidents of terrorism affecting USDA regulated industries, as well as USDA programs, operations, personnel, and installations, in coordination with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, as appropriate.

[nwhpfan]

I'm as much opposed to the real militarization of police as you can get, but this isn't it.

It's responses like this that make me wish we had a "thumbs up" or "+1" button.

[Beat Trash]

If I remember correctly, the Ag guys investigate food stamp fraud, which takes place mostly in urban environments and is carried out by organized criminal enterprises, especially the Russian mob.

Body armor and SMGs make a lot of sense for that.


Okie John

Food stamp fraud is a high dollar business. I've seen people willing to shoot/kill for much less.

With that thought in mind, any agency that has powers of arrest and do so, needs to have the equipment and training to do so safely.

[vcdgrips]

1. Nyeti was spot on.
2.John Hearne was spot on.
3. The source is nothing but troll food.

David Barnes

[av8usn]

I apparently misunderstood the role of DOA. And no, I do not believe any L.E.O. should not be fully trained, armed and protected. I would appreciate removal of this thread, and my apologies for the error.

[KevinB]

Wow, police carrying submachine guns and automatic rifles - kinda like Thompsons, BARs, and whatever auto rifle Frank Hamer carried.....

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

But if you were to burn down Bonnie and Clyde today while smoking a cigar you'd be fired...

[JodyH]

I do think we have too many federal agencies with enforcement authority that extends down to individual arrest powers.
I think more federal agencies should have their enforcement authority limited to the "paperwork investigations" level and consolidate the arrest authority into just one or two agencies that serve warrants on their behalf.
That being said...
Those agents tasked with making arrests should have the equipment they need to perform those duties safely and efficiently.

[Dan_S]

Here's what ELSE the feds need this body armor for.


http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...-raw-milk-mob/

This is very troubling for those of us in agricultural communities, or whose livelihoods depend on agricultural resources. Forgive me, but I don't want the feds having any more toys.

[jlw]

I do think we have too many federal agencies with enforcement authority that extends down to individual arrest powers.
I think more federal agencies should have their enforcement authority limited to the "paperwork investigations" level and consolidate the arrest authority into just one or two agencies that serve warrants on their behalf.
That being said...
Those agents tasked with making arrests should have the equipment they need to perform those duties safely and efficiently.

And since warrants appear without any field work or interviews, that would work well...