Blue Army: Paramilitary Policing in Australia

Most of us are shocked when suspects are shot dead by police before they can be tried, and disturbed to see police wearing riot gear and using baton charges at peaceful demonstrations. When police begin using paramilitary tactics, the essential nature of their role is redefined, switching from protection and peacekeeping to active aggression. Jude McCulloch’s involvement as a lawyer in cases of police shootings led her to detailed investigation of changes to policing in Australia. Blue Army arises from her research into the paramilitarization of the police. It exposes the risks of allowing Australia’s police forces to move away from the key principle of keeping the peace with the use of minimum force.