A recent effort by state officials seeks to minimize the deployment of National Guard soldiers to Washington, D.C. This raises a few concerns, if troops are conducting foot patrols for the specific purpose of guarding government property and protecting civilian lives at public venues.
What are they expected to do if they encounter a situation that involves the theft or destruction of government property or a situation that poses immediate danger to innocent civilians? It is disconcerting that might be needed to take action to address these situations.
Prior to this deployment, did they receive specific training in the penal codes that are applicable in Washington, D.C., rules of arrest, search and seizure, use of deadly force, use of less-lethal weapons or conducting proper felony car stops?
These Guard soldiers, through no fault of their own, aren’t trained in urban policing and should be brought home.
Michael Tsuda
Waialae
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