Massachusetts SWAT teams claim they’re private corporations, immune from open records laws

[Carson]

I think I saw something about this in these threads yesterday. They used the acronym LEC and I didn't know what they were talking about.


Someone on Fark posted a story with this headline and WAMM!! it became clear. Those guys over there have a way with words.


Massachusetts SWAT let slip the fact that they're not actually police officers but rather armed goons for a private corporation

The story;

http://m.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/26/massachusetts-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-immune-from-open-records-laws/?wpsrc=AG0003357


the Fark comments;

http://www.fark.com/comments/8316255/Massachusetts-SWAT-let-slip-fact-that-theyre-not-actually-police-officers-but-rather-armed-goons-for-a-private-corporation


Sniped from the article;

As part of the American Civil Liberties Union’s recent report on police militarization, the Massachusetts chapter of the organization sent open records requests to SWAT teams across that state. It received an interesting response.

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

More at;

http://m.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/26/massachusetts-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-immune-from-open-records-laws/?wpsrc=AG0003357 (http://m.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/26/massachusetts-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-immune-from-open-records-laws/?wpsrc=AG0003357)

[Cissy]

I think I saw something about this in these threads yesterday. They used the acronym LEC and I didn't know what they were talking about.


Someone on Fark posted a story with this headline and WAMM!! it became clear. Those guys over there have a way with words.


Massachusetts SWAT let slip the fact that they're not actually police officers but rather armed goons for a private corporation

The story;

http://m.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/26/massachusetts-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-immune-from-open-records-laws/?wpsrc=AG0003357


the Fark comments;

http://www.fark.com/comments/8316255/Massachusetts-SWAT-let-slip-fact-that-theyre-not-actually-police-officers-but-rather-armed-goons-for-a-private-corporation


Sniped from the article;

As part of the American Civil Liberties Union’s recent report on police militarization, the Massachusetts chapter of the organization sent open records requests to SWAT teams across that state. It received an interesting response.

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

More at;

http://m.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/26/massachusetts-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-immune-from-open-records-laws/?wpsrc=AG0003357 (http://m.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/06/26/massachusetts-swat-teams-claim-theyre-private-corporations-immune-from-open-records-laws/?wpsrc=AG0003357)

Fine. If you're private corporations, you lack qualified immunity.

Sue them all.

[Lucille]

http://www.realityzone.com/currentperiod.html


Massachusetts: A regional SWAT team, the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, is refusing to comply with a public-records request claiming that is is a private entity not subject to public-records laws. (http://www.storyleak.com/swat-team-refuses-public-records-request-says-were-not-a-government-agency/) [If this is true, the existence of NEMLEC is illegal because it has been purchasing military equipment with government grants and public funds.] StoryLeak 2014 Jun 26 (Cached)

Here are the other threads on it:

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?454763-Massachusetts-SWAT-Teams-Claim-They%92re-Private-Corporations-Immune-From-Open-Records-Laws

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?454720-Finally!-A-catagory-of-503-%28c%29%283%29-organizations-the-IRS-hasn-t-targeted

[Carson]

Lucille,

Thanks. I've been real lazy searching out previous post before I post a new thread lately. I think the one I was remembering was XNavyNuke's from yesterday (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?454720-Finally!-A-catagory-of-503-%28c%29%283%29-organizations-the-IRS-hasn-t-targeted).

This is a mind blowing revelation. I was having trouble coming to grips with private companies coming between me and our National Forest. This is over the top.

[Henry Rogue]

If they have nothing to hide, they shouldn't mind letting us take a look.

[DamianTV]

If they have nothing to hide, they shouldn't mind letting us take a look.

Hey, isnt that their excuse for constantly SPYING on US? Oh, the irony!

[Henry Rogue]

Hey, isnt that their excuse for constantly SPYING on US? Oh, the irony!
He he, I couldn't resist.

[heavenlyboy34]

Hey, isnt that their excuse for constantly SPYING on US? Oh, the irony!

It's for your own good mundane. Now shut the fuck up and enjoy your fucking freedom.

[DamianTV]

It's for your own good mundane. Now shut the fuck up and enjoy your fucking freedom.

Thank you sir may I have another!
Thank you sir may I have another!
Thank you sir may I have another!
Thank you sir may I have another!
Thank you sir may I have another!

[Spikender]

So did I put this in the wrong section?

This is why I don't make many topics, I never know where I'm supposed to put topics concerning law enforcement or the police state to get them noticed.

[Henry Rogue]

So did I put this in the wrong section?

This is why I don't make many topics, I never know where I'm supposed to put topics concerning law enforcement or the police state to get them noticed.
I found this thread through new posts, so it was timing, but the title matters. SWAT teams claiming private corporation status drew me in like a bug to a light. General Politics does tend to get viewed more, though.

[Anti Federalist]

I found this thread through new posts, so it was timing, but the title matters. SWAT teams claiming private corporation status drew me in like a bug to a light. General Politics does tend to get viewed more, though.

My reasoning on posting cop threads in GP was simply this:

Police are politics' enforcement.

Nothing could be more political, IMO.

[heavenlyboy34]

My reasoning on posting cop threads in GP was simply this:

Police are politics' enforcement.

Nothing could be more political, IMO.
This^^ Except maybe quasi-private banking...

[Carson]

So did I put this in the wrong section?

This is why I don't make many topics, I never know where I'm supposed to put topics concerning law enforcement or the police state to get them noticed.


Spikender,

Sorry about the double post of your topic. I did a search but I didn't do it very well and I was in a hurry to post because I wanted to practice my clarinet.

I'm not always sure where to post stuff either. I notice stuff more in the General Section because I can read it if I'm not logged in. Even when I am logged in I check it more. I think with your thread in the "Individual Rights & Liberties" section it will stay at the top longer and may get more views in the long term.


P.S. I just did a Google search like I probably should have done yesterday. I did a site: search and it came up with your thread.

"As it turns out, a number of SWAT teams in the Bay State are operated by what are called law enforcement councils, or LECs. site:ronpaulforums.com"

[euphemia]

If they are not government, then how can they be law enforcement? Law enforcement functions under the Executive Branch of government.

[mrsat_98]

You could have left this one on the floor on a 5.25 inch floppy drive and it would have got noticed here.
http://homer.gsu.edu/blogs/library/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/525.jpg




So did I put this in the wrong section?

This is why I don't make many topics, I never know where I'm supposed to put topics concerning law enforcement or the police state to get them noticed.

[heavenlyboy34]

If they are not government, then how can they be law enforcement? Law enforcement functions under the Executive Branch of government.

Same way corporations are putting mercenaries in the mideast as quasi-"soldiers" (Blackwater, etc). Interesting thing about fascism is that the regime can farm things out to corporate buddies so the situation seems less bad.

[heavenlyboy34]

You could have left this one on the floor on a 5.25 inch floppy drive and it would have got noticed here.
http://homer.gsu.edu/blogs/library/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/525.jpg

lolz :D Ginormous floppy disks remind me of the computers everyone used when I was in early grade school...2nd-3rd grade or so...

Any other old pharts in here remember when 3.5" disks were new and awesome? People used to make dresses out of those things... :eek:

[Carson]

lolz :D Ginormous floppy disks remind me of the computers everyone used when I was in early grade school...2nd-3rd grade or so...

Any other old pharts in here remember when 3.5" disks were new and awesome? People used to make dresses out of those things... :eek:


Personal Computers were way out in the future when I was still in High School. Our Biology teacher let us in on that they were only a few years away. Also among other things, the microwave.

The perfect use for the computer seemed to me was to track medical trends. Lots of discoveries had been made medically just by occurrences popping up regionally. They said it would take eight years of medical school to be able to do the kind of research I was thinking on. It would have been right on track to converge with the coming of the computer.

[euphemia]

Same way corporations are putting mercenaries in the mideast as quasi-"soldiers" (Blackwater, etc). Interesting thing about fascism is that the regime can farm things out to corporate buddies so the situation seems less bad.

This kind of makes me mad. The Constitution has enumerated powers. Law enforcement falls directly under the Executive Branch. The Consitution specifically enumerates the responsibility to fund a Post Office and maintain the roads to deliver mail. If government would simply do its job.....:mad:

[heavenlyboy34]

This kind of makes me mad. The Constitution has enumerated powers. Law enforcement falls directly under the Executive Branch. The Consitution specifically enumerates the responsibility to fund a Post Office and maintain the roads to deliver mail. If government would simply do its job.....:mad:

Only the lawful and moral care about laws...and the lawlesss and immoral are those most attracted to gov'ment. :( :mad:

[Anti Federalist]

Any other old pharts in here remember when 3.5" disks were new and awesome? People used to make dresses out of those things... :eek:

I can remember writing CNC code on punch tape...

[Schifference]

I remember people in the past debating whether privatizing the police was a good idea. Seems like the police privatize themselves

[heavenlyboy34]

I remember people in the past debating whether privatizing the police was a good idea. Seems like the police privatize themselves

http://blog.ancientlasers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Mind-Blown.jpg Mind. Blown.

[Carson]

I can remember writing CNC code on punch tape...

The first Numerically Controlled machines I ran were punch tape. I remember fixing and fixing the tapes because every line had to be right.