One of the principle advantages of the Mini 14 for law enforcement work is its non assault rifle look, especially with a wood stock. Way back in the day there was bit more sensitivity to public perception.
For example when I first started in law enforcement, one of the major concerns expressed about carrying a 1911 or an FN Hi Power, was the very visible cocked hammer, and how the public reacted to that when it was just sitting in your holster. That same concern for perception was also a nod in favor of the Mini-14 in one form or another over the more iconic and very military looking AR-15, M16A1, etc.
It's the same concern that also had officers wearing striped slacks, uniform shirts and ties with concealable body armor underneath. Today you see far more officers with tactical pants, and in some cases BDU style shorts and tactical plate carriers or external body armor. Those two extremes present vastly different images to the public.
That change in dress in many people's mind (public and officer alike) also conveys a change in attitude from "to serve and protect" to more military like attitudes of "whatever it takes to get home tonight", and worse, "us against the civilians".
Reagan was not pro gun but was very pro law enforcement, and the whole war on drugs campaign that started in his administration has moved US law enforcement as a whole in a progressively more military direction. Many of the things we are seeing now in terms of negative press surrounding law enforcement are the results and reactions to that shift. I suspect the pendulum is now going to swing the other way and that swing will be in the Mini 14's favor.
For example when I first started in law enforcement, one of the major concerns expressed about carrying a 1911 or an FN Hi Power, was the very visible cocked hammer, and how the public reacted to that when it was just sitting in your holster. That same concern for perception was also a nod in favor of the Mini-14 in one form or another over the more iconic and very military looking AR-15, M16A1, etc.
It's the same concern that also had officers wearing striped slacks, uniform shirts and ties with concealable body armor underneath. Today you see far more officers with tactical pants, and in some cases BDU style shorts and tactical plate carriers or external body armor. Those two extremes present vastly different images to the public.
That change in dress in many people's mind (public and officer alike) also conveys a change in attitude from "to serve and protect" to more military like attitudes of "whatever it takes to get home tonight", and worse, "us against the civilians".
Reagan was not pro gun but was very pro law enforcement, and the whole war on drugs campaign that started in his administration has moved US law enforcement as a whole in a progressively more military direction. Many of the things we are seeing now in terms of negative press surrounding law enforcement are the results and reactions to that shift. I suspect the pendulum is now going to swing the other way and that swing will be in the Mini 14's favor.