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Police in Columbia, MO recently carried out a paramilitary-style raid at the home of a local man suspected of possessing marijuana. In the process of raiding his home the police shot his dogs and arrested him as his wife and seven year-old son watched.
The terrifying incident was caught on video and the police have admitted that the dog they killed was more of a distraction than a threat, he was simply standing in the doorway and barking as strangers entered his home.
The Columbia police are now struggling to justify their actions and create a new policy for the use of paramilitary raids.
Sign this petition and tell the Columbia police to end the practice of using paramilitary-style raids unless military-level force is absolutely required.
Marijuana possession should never be justification for these brutal raids that too often result in killing animals, destroying property, and traumatizing innocent people.
Stop Paramilitary Marijuana Raids
Greetings,
I am writing because I am appalled at the recent case of your department using paramilitary-style tactics to raid a local man’s home and kill his dog in front of his wife and son because he was suspected of possessing marijuana.
This is an outrageous example of unjustifiable use of force.
Your department should adopt a strict policy banning the use of paramilitary-style tactics unless military-level force is absolutely required. Possession of drugs should never require such a response.
Your officers should be using less forceful tactics so that both people and animals can be spared trauma and needless violence.
I am happy to see that you've taken some initial steps but I want you to do more. Columbia should be a model for effective policing without the regular use of paramilitary tactics.
[Your name]