With everything happening in Portland, I felt it might be helpful to do another thread on Federal LEO's and what's been happening there.

First off, why are those guys in camouflage?

1/

Many police agencies have SWAT/TAC teams. These teams will be in cammo because sometimes their operations take them places where its needed.

CBP often operates in remote or wild terrain. The FBI sends people overseas to hostile environments.

2/

Should they use it while operating in cities like Portland? I think theres a strong case the answer should be "no", but these guys aren't cosplaying the military. A lot of them are veterans, including me. We joined the LE ranks to get *out* of the military.

3/

We don't need to pretend to make us feel like were in the cool-guys club. We did our time in service and know its 90% sweeping the motorpool and standing next to a connex. Its just easier to have 1 uniform than 3 different ones depending on where you're going.

4/

I *do* think these guys would benefit from having their organization patch on their chests, rather than just "police."

Below is an FBI SWAT team. It's clear who they are.

5/

So, why dont they have name tags?

Most Federal LEO's dont wear nametags because of the nature of their work.

Your average beat cop might deal with local gangs, but not much more serious than that. Its important for their community to know who they are.

6/

Federal LEO's often deal with more complex threats. Terrorist orgs, spies, major gangs like MS-13; these groups have serious resources. They'll actively try to ID Feds and surveil them, kill them, or try to intimidate them/their families.

7/

I know a LEO who had to move his family after MS-13 learned his identity and put a hit out on him, his wife, and their kids. That's some very real, very scary shit.

We try and protect ourselves from doxing because the consequences are potentially very dangerous.

8/

What's happening in Portland isnt typically what Feds do.

They arent not wearing nametags because they're the "secret police" (most people have figured out their agency without much trouble) but because that's just the norm for their type of work.

9/

This brings us to, why are they in Portland?

Well, Portland is a port, and as such has a CBP office in its federal building, as do many cities.

For the last 45 days or so, protestors have gathered outside this building.

10/

Some of their actions have been small, like graffiti.

Others have included assaulting officers with hammers, breaking windows, shooting fireworks into the building, and arson.

11/

The Federal Protective Service (FPS) protects federal buildings.

The riots in Portland have been so severe they requested help, because they couldn't do their job.

So, CBP, the US Marshals, and other federal agencies were sent to augment them and prevent destruction.

12/

But why were they in an unmarked van?

Likely because the CBP office in Portland is tiny and didnt have any vehicles assigned to it. The Tactical team is probably TDY and flew there, hence, renting a van.

Many, if not all, Fed agencies also have unmarked vehicles assigned.

13/

Would I order they have a marked vehicle?

Yes, I would. One probably wasnt available because of how outside the norm this is.

Rather than assume it's because the Stasi are on the rise, maybe we could look at this from a practical perspective.

14/

Why did they arrest someone on the street?

Based on press releases, it looks like they identified this person as being connected to the attacks on the federal building. He was detained at the federal courthouse, read his rights (he invoked) and then he was released.

15/

Is this great optics? No, it's not. I would've much preferred to have their agency name clearly visible, rather than just on a small arm patch.

Why'd they arrest him on the street?

It was likely a lot safer than doing soin the middle of a riot, surrounded by people.

16/

I hope this clears some things up.

Bottom line, yes the optics are bad and there is room for improvement., especially involving uniforms.

No, there is not a "secret" or "unidentified" police force making arrests in Portland without accountability.

/end

Okay one additional note;

I'm happy to discuss critiques or disagreements in good faith. We'll probably found some common ground.

Come here with that "you're a fascist bootlicker" shit and you're just gonna get muted.