Army says regular troops patrolled Samson, Alabama -- inquiry under way

[Are_grits_groceries]

In response to inquiries about photos that seemed to record the presence of regular Army troops on the streets of Samson, Alabama, the U.S. Army has released a statement acknowledging that military police were in fact dispatched to the city after the mass murder there, and that an inquiry into the use of those troops is under way.

On the Tenth of March, after a report of the apparent mass murder in Samson, 22 military police soldiers from Fort Rucker, along with the Fort Rucker Provost Martial, were sent to the city of Samson.

The purpose for sending the military police, the authority for doing so, and what duties they performed, is the subject of an ongoing commander's inquiry, directed by the commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, General Martin Dempsey.

In addition to determining the facts, this inquiry will also consider whether law, regulation and policy were followed. Until those facts are determined, it would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further.

In the aftermath of this horrific crime spree, the military community of Fort Rucker joins the greater Alabama Wiregrass community in its grief and concern for the victims and their families.

http://www.examiner.com/x-536-Civil-Liberties-Examiner~y2009m3d17-Army-acknowledges-concerns-about-regular-troops-patrolling-Samson-Alabama

Wonder what they will find??

[Usrename]

1. This is a job for law enforcement, not the military.

This whole war-on-terra strategy is terrifying.

Where is that change we are all hoping for?

[EFerrari]

2. You're reading it. There's an investigation on already.

That never happened under the torture president.

[Usrename]

9. Yeah, right. The commander is investigating himself. WTF?

:shrug:

[EFerrari]

14. Well, let's see how he does. I don't have free passes for anyone

in my pocket but submit, this is already a change. :)

[petronius]

17. I don't think it's the base commander investigating himself - it's a higher

ranking general from another command looking into it...

[Selatius]

3. If they keep doing this, eventually people will get used to seeing troops on American streets.

Eventually, people will grow to accept the idea if it is done enough times to be a routine occurrence.

[BuyingThyme]

4. Not if the people learn that they are in their right to resist them.

[malaise]

7. Isn't that the plan?

Most of the fears I've been following on DU have been justified. If they could have pulled it off, Bushco would have lined up with the military and prevented elections.

[soothsayer]

5. man, sure didn't take long after they passed that law

guess they'll be using those detainment camps soon.

[hack89]

6. I suspect that local government asked for help

and the military obliged.

[Usrename]

10. Why would the local government need the military?

That doesn't make any sense.

[hack89]

15. Every military installation has emergency assistance agreements with neighboring towns

it is very common to provide fire, medical and search and rescue help when asked. I don't know what the soldiers were asked to do but there are many things they could possibly be asked to do that don't cross any legal boundaries.

[Usrename]

18. Isn't deploying the military for domestic law enforcement prohibited?

Wouldn't something like this be the appropriate response to some kind of armed insurrection or to a declaration of martial law? I think that this is a brand new use of the armed forces, isn't it?

[hack89]

24. Isn't that the question at hand here?

we don't know what they were asked to do. One account I read said they were there for traffic control and to help secure the very large crime scene. I don't know if that violates Posse Comitatus or not.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

23. Many small towns that surround military bases ask for assistance in emergencies.

I've seen the military used many times during natural disasters. Usually not in a law enforcement role, sometimes though, Hurricane Katrina comes to mind.

David

[MiniMe]

8. What year did this happen?

Just curious. I looked at the article and it didn't say (that I saw)

[BuyingThyme]

11. About a week ago.

[Zywiec]

12. Just getting back from a vacation on the moon?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/03/11/alabama.shooting.timeline/index.html?iref=newssearch

Welcome home!

:hi:

[ProgrezivIndie]

13. "what year did this happen?"

see: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509188,00.html
(apologies for the FAUX NEWS link)

[sarcasmo]

16. Martial Law, alive and well.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. When the fighter crashed in SD Fire Units from Miramar

responded under Mutual Aid... that one made sense and violated zero regulations (they are the closest with foam... and they have also responded to accidents at fields) There was no MP on the street, and the fire crews wore standard fire gear... OTOH civilian crews have entered the bases to fight fires, that mutual thing again

They had some Marines AFTER the cops secured the place, doing what they do, with the FAA

That is a world of difference from having MPs doing law enforcement

[alfredo]

20. MP's do patrol towns near the base to handle any incidents involving

soldiers or sailors. Was there any military personnel involved as victims or perps in the mass murder?

[upi402]

21. Camel's nose under the tent

I can see helping with a naturtal disaster but not law and order. That's kissing the devil.

[alfredo]

25. They've been doing that for many decades. I drove an ambulance for a

time while in the Army. When I went out on a call, MP's came along. Most likely it was to pick up a drunk NCO. Usually they are at a brothel, completely nude, passed out on the lawn. No need for anything other than help getting their fat asses into the ambulance, and to keep their wives from killing them.

The MP's do not concern themselves with civilians, just service members. Their job is to make sure the GI's don't destroy private property, hurt others or themselves.

[Sirveri]

22. In this case I'll chalk it up to a mistake.

Should there be MP's in the street.
No.

Was it done to establish a precedent for American military on the streets.
I don't think so. I think somebody wanted to help and either forgot or said screw regs.

Saying screw regs would be worse, but he'll likely cop to forgetting and getting off with a slap on the wrist.

But at least we're HAVING an investigation.