This is kind of old news indirectly regarding raids

[boedeker]

BBC Article

The 37-year-old optometrist was unarmed, he had no history of violence and displayed no threatening behaviour.

But he had been under investigation for illegal gambling and in line with a local police policy on "organised crime" raids, the heavily armed team was there to serve a search warrant.

As officers approached with their weapons drawn, tragedy struck. A handgun was accidentally discharged, fatally wounding Dr Culosi.

[youtalkfunny]

I stopped watching "Cops" because I hate to see these guys gear up for a gun battle to raid a meth lab (I don't take illegal narcotics, but I'm opposed to the current "war on drugs").

Using the same tactics in gambling raids never made sense to me. Bookies never "throw down on 5-0". And of course, I'm even more adamantly opposed to the current "war on gambling".

[misdemeaner 7]

My knowledge of swat teams being used to bust poker games is that a team graduating goes in. This is more or less like a trial run & much safer for the team than busting a crack house. If this is going to be the policy then I think they should use rubber bullets like our military forces are using to guard prisons in Iraq. Just one itchy finger & tragedy like this happens. I deal a private (ha ha) game that is open 7 days a week & I've yet to see a player bring a gun in. Actually they could just legalize it & leave us alone!! [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]