LFS2, sorry I cannot agree that continued paramilitary operations by police can be successful under any organizational structure.  In war death is the primary tool used to overcome an enemy.  When police view citizens as the enemy to be dealt with as the military would, where death as an acceptable outcome, rebellion cannot be long in coming.  While certain police functions might be relegated to militarist tactics as when dealing with mass murderers or other terrorists, to employ confront and control under penalty of death in everyday citizen conflicts is unconscionable.  Citizen push back and revolt at continuous police killing when police alternatives are available is understandable.  American power holders can take the hard line (typical) or adopt a policy of respect for life that encourages life sensitive policing approaches.