You might also ask why certain government agencies which supposedly have nothing to do with the military or law enforcement are being armed.

Because we are just cattle. Sometimes the livestock gets uppity, especially in the short history of our nation. Gotta keep em under control or they'll take over the farm house....

I have known many cops over my life. I helped campaign for a family friend who became chief of police in Santa Clara. Frankly...I couldn't be a cop today. I pity those who have a brain. The empty-skull ones are doing fine, though.

As far as yoyur bet, it ain't gonna happen, not by the hair of my chiny chin chin (or however that saying goes, I was never big on cartoons). At least as long as I'm alive, after that I have no idea what might happen.

Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle.

I have gone over this before. The institution known as "police" predates Rand but does not predate the United States of America. At least, not in America it doesn't.

And now we see American police becoming paramilitary forces in all but name. Like the Mounties of Canada, or the Gendarmerie, or the Carabinieri.

This is something out of several fevered motion-picture projects of the 1980s. The RoboCop franchise springs to mind. So does Blue Thunder (1983).

In slow group, what is a MRAP.?

I agree, a HumVee makes an excellent vehicle in a natural disaster - flood, etc., MRAPs shouldn't be given away at all, considering we're rushing back into Iraq/Syria now, might have been handy to still have some in inventory. Realistically, my Armada weighs as much as a HumVee, just has a few more creature-comforts. Capability is a big deal though though, and the difference between a little mini-SUV / Toyota Highlander / etc., versus a full-size Suburban, Armada, HumVee is pretty astounding. The nice thing about a HumVee (for police use during disasters) compared to other full-size SUV's is the gigantic plain-metal dashboard & center console areas that can mount radios, a computer, etc. very easily while still providing a lot of room for the occupants wearing their protective gear.

I don't immediately cry conspiracy every time, government contracting is something I know quite a bit about (professionally), its entirely possible that the competition for the initial sale was so tight that the manufacturer built in some required-subscription payments annually to have access to spare parts or technicians or something for them (as you don't really put a warranty on an infantry fighting vehicle going into a war zone - you can't really sell insurance on one either).

It could just be something like being willing to transfer the asset to someone else in the US just to get rid of the annual cost of keeping it.

Nonetheless, I completely agree, MRAPs have no place in civilian police forces. While, they are probably no different than any other carrier if just used as a carrier vehicle, they considerably up the "fear factor" of the populace and probably with that intention to do so.

"We the People" can change that though. We need to clean the slate with elected officials and bring in candidates that will specifically get rid of these changes that have been made.

"My you have a big MRAP, Grandma. " Little Red Riding Hood
"All the better to keep you safe, my dear" Grandma

Current members of the US military are forbidden by law from participating in police actions within the US. Obama is arming his own "Brown Shirts". Do not expect him to go peacefully when his term is up - I'm betting on a national emergency to 'force' him to declare his 'need' to stay in office and suspend elections 'for a short time until the emergency is over.'
Is he not now 'practicing' just how far beyond the law he can go without serious opposition? I wish I was joking about this :-(

Humvees make good emergency response vehicles for flood, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, when roads may not be in such good shape. Up-armored surplus Humvees more than adequate for standoffs, explosives. The MRAPS have no logical place in civilian police use.

They have to keep the lunatic right wing people under control. [Sarcasm] Or how bout forcing the right to fall in line like sheep just like the left does. :)

There is no appropriate explanation.

My vehicle of choice is stored in Area 51. Wanna race ? <grin>