"We're a police organization and we'll continue the job we've been doing. It'll be no different with the MRAP or without the MRAP."

Since the 1980s, Wolff said the use of SWAT teams and other heavily armed specialized groups of officers have gone up dramatically even in situations that don't warrant such aggression.

He said the major reason is the war on drugs, which he feels would be better fought if treated more as a "public health issue" and less of a criminal matter.

Wolff doesn't dispute that bad guys are becoming more dangerous, but feels the reasons have much to do with the country's strong stance against illegal drugs and the police themselves becoming armed with more powerful weapons.

"If we would take a step back and maybe take a fresh approach because it's obvious the direction we're heading is not winning the war. It's actually escalating it. We think there are better ways to approach it," said Wolff.

Wolff said the petition likely will remain available to sign online for about a month before presented to the police chief, mayor and City Council.