Even the most ardent defender of the police would agree that a certain level of civilian oversight of their activities is vital to the preservation of a free society.

Exercising that essential function would be the sole effect of pending legislation in Annapolis that comes on the heels of some highly publicized police raids that by all appearances came up empty.

One got some national attention because the homeowner involved happened to be a public official, the mayor of the Prince George's County town of Berwyn Heights. A police SWAT team busted down his door and killed his two dogs last summer in the mistaken belief that he and his wife were dealing drugs. In January, a Howard County Police tactical team raided the home of an Elkridge couple, killing their dog but making no arrests.

Two Howard County residents were among those addressing a state Senate committee last week in support of a bill that would require police agencies to report to the state Attorney General's Office the number, purpose, location and results of SWAT operations they conduct. The office would then analyze these statistics and report its findings to the governor and the General Assembly.

Police officials testifying against the bill said local agencies can ensure the just deployment and conduct of tactical squads themselves, and that they keep such statistics already. If that's the case, then what's the problem with passing that information along to civilian authorities?

An independent analysis of the data this bill would require be furnished might well show that the use of SWAT force is justified in the vast number of cases. But until such analysis can be performed, we won't know one way or another.

Until the public and public officials can look at the use of SWAT teams scientifically, we're left with emotionally charged speculation. That doesn't do anyone, even the police, any good.

user comments (0)