Cops have bombs?

[Mentiroso]

Since when do COPS HAVE BOMBS? Explain to me why law enforcement officers amongst their arsenal need to have bombs? How much more militarization of police will we tolerate? I am outraged. Police have the numbers, armored vehicles, and time. Why did they employ a bomb to kill the cornered sniper? Also, why is there a rush to end a situation when time is generally in police favor?

I argue the militarization of law enforcement is violation of our second amendment right. How can we have "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms..." if we are out gunned all the time. The 2ND amendment allows us a tool to keep a free state.

[Mentiroso]

To clarify. I do not approve of the slaying of the five officers or seven wounded. And I am not suggesting violence, but in my opinion having guns is like the United States having a nuclear weapon. It is insurance to keep others from exercising their free will on us.

[Sarde]

I too am troubled by the fact the police have a bomb in the first place. At the point where it is a standoff and SWAT and numerous agency assets are in place it seems an over reaction to blow up the guy.

[Marauder2003]

I believe the shooter in the room had an explosive device. The robot moved in and used its explosive device to neutralize the shooters device. Done all the time. Just so happened this time the shooter decided not to leave first. His choice.

[p7m8jg]

Robots like used by the police typically have a water cannon attached which is used to blow the suspect device apart - hoping to avoid detonation. They don't have "bombs" like you suggest. I'm guessing (just like you are) that when negotiations broke down they moved in to disarm the device so they could approach/try to take the suspect down.

Sometimes the water cannon sets the device off. Sometimes the perpetrator sets it off himself. This statements above are based upon a lack of knowledge this early in the investigation.

[tombkeeper]

Every large police department in this country with a Special Weapons/tactics
program has high explosives in their arsenal. Most of them use them for breaching hardened doors. Fortunately Dallas PD also had a robot & was quick-thinking to use it & explosives to prevent further loss of officer lives.

[ARDude]

Some situations can go from a barricaded situation to a combat situation.
This situation was a combat situation.

Yes, he was barricaded in a fortified location, and had the tactical advantage over the police. He was continuing to shoot at police and it was a matter of time before he would kill or wound another person.

In that situation a controlled explosive device is the perfect tool for the job.

[Sapperforward]

Police need access to explosives for breaching and to neutralize potential destructive devices, like pipe bombs.

They (police bomb units)have access to blasting caps, demo cord, plastic explosives and TNT as well as breaching charges, demo tape and other explosive materials.

They have had access to these things for decades.

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[God Bless America]

The bomb robots can have a 12-ga or other device to detonate bombs. I suspect that is what was used.

I also don't like it at all. They should have waited him out.

[hermosabeach]

Police departments have a need to breech doors... some of the breaching is done with explosives

Calm down OP

[HardwoodRods]

Wait him out? It is Texas, No waiting, Justice is final, no need for a trial that wastes more of the taxpayer dollars. Period. God I Love Texas

[Kyle1886]

Personally I'm an "all is fair" sort of a guy when someone is trying to do me harm. I consider being shot at as harmful. (You start it; hopefully I finish it).

Respectfully
Kyle

[Sarde]

Thats informative guys, thanks for the education. The news article I read was ambiguous and made it sound like the police merely used a bomb to end the situation.

[Doheny]

Cops have bombs?

The OP's post seems almost laughable, asking why the police need such equipment after what we saw last night.

Re: the "bomb" question, as others have mentioned the police have various types of explosives to breach doors, walls and render other explosives safe.

[ThighSlapper]

I believe the shooter in the room had an explosive device. The robot moved in and used its explosive device to neutralize the shooters device. Done all the time. Just so happened this time the shooter decided not to leave first. His choice.

Lol Done all the time? oh really? Any proof of previous bad guy kabooms?