The racially motivated riots in Ferguson, Missouri, opened a lot of eyes.

First off, inexperienced and untrained local law enforcement showed up ready to do battle with the Russian Army.

Military-type armored vehicles, snipers, police SWAT dressed like soldiers were on the front line where they were not needed and didn't belong.

This group needed to be held in reserve and out of sight while the regular uniformed police tried to handle the demonstrations using a reasonable and appropriate amount of force.

The result was a week of demonstrations giving the criminal element an opportunity to burn and loot under the guise of being a demonstration.

It also gave the special interests, the hate mongers ample time to show up and stir the pot in front of the media.

The result: Law enforcement suffered a black eye and we all feel the fallout.

Now the weak-kneed politicians and again special interests are questioning why the police have armored vehicles and special weapons furnished by the government at no cost to the local taxpayers.

Without question, I see a time and a place for the use of this equipment. A civil demonstration was not the place.

Now political pressure and weak law enforcement managers are too quickly trying to give back this free equipment to distance themselves from the mistakes made in Ferguson while appeasing the critics.

What happens when we actually need such equipment and don't have it?

Case in point, the Bank of America robbery is North Hollywood handled by LAPD.

If you recall they were forced to commandeer a privately owned armored truck to evacuate injured victims who were under fire.

Look at the many school shootings where it has become necessary to evacuate students and teachers from harms way? These are just two examples of when and where an armored rescue vehicle is appropriate and necessary.

We all know of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which have killed and maimed so many of our military personnel.

Explosive-resistant armored rescue vehicles were created because of IEDs and have been successfully in combat zones all over the world.

What if the criminals or terrorists were to start using IEDs here? Can this happen in the good old USA?

Damn right it can and it may very well happen one day soon.

I wouldn't be too quick to jump on the bandwagon to return this surplus government equipment.

Keep it for a time when it's needed and appropriate. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Jack Baxter is a retired sergeant with the San Jose Police Department. He lives in Lakeport, Calif.