Police on weapon company payrolls

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-04-24-tasers-police_x.htm

Hundreds of police officers nationwide also are on payrolls of companies that supply weapons, riot gear and other equipment to the officers' departments, creating possible conflicts of interest.

The arrangements have involved officers who advise their departments on what equipment to buy, according to a survey of at least a half-dozen companies by USA TODAY.

Taser International, the nation's leading maker of stun guns, says it pays at least 270 officers to conduct training seminars for other police. It also sends money to the survivors of police who are killed while on duty.

When contacted by USA TODAY, several other private companies that supply equipment to police — including Armor Holdings, which makes bullet-resistant clothing; ASP, a police baton manufacturer; and PepperBall Technologies, a maker of pepper-spray repellent — said they also pay officers to train other police to use the companies' products.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[ret5hd]

2. it's called "conflict of interest"...

something i suspect you are not troubled by.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[notadmblnd]

4. you are right there is absolutely nothing wrong with hiring people

familiar with their products for training and review.
But before going to work for a corporation they should quit their jobs as police officers.

[Bridget Burke]

5. But they're also involved in buying equipment.....

Some might find it too easy to recommend sending lots of money to the company that already paid them a bit....

[One_Life_To_Give]

6. Declare conflict of interest

Specifically most of these people will declare that they are paid by the manufacturers at the time a purchase is to be made. Althouhg it would frequently be common knowledge.