Why did the cops use a ghillie suit in the Fort Myers sting?

Hahahhahahahah.

Seriously though, that's such a military accoutrement. There is no way a local law enforcement or Sheriff's office should have that in their inventory. So I'm figuring they needed to justify the purchase and this was a good way to do it.

Just another brick in the wall of law enforcement adopting para-military attitudes, which is a no-no in the USA.

I think the cop brought it from home. You can buy them off Ranger Joe's or Sportsman's Warehouse. He was just jonesin' to justify his cool $80 investment. NBC likely came in their collective pants over the idea because it added so much theater to their show. Its like going to see a broadway show where the actors are spot on with their lines and delivery but are wearing their street clothes. Isn't it much better when they are in full costume?

I disagree with some of y'all; ghillie suits are fairly standard inventory for paramilitary units, and there's lots of overlap between standard police and paramilitary units in some departments. What we saw was probably SOP for that kind of operation for that department; it would be written up as a stakeout or a takedown operation or whatever.

A lot of it seems excessive, but it's all protocol; they take what sometimes seem like excessive measures to protect themselves against any potential threats, but I'd damn sure do the same thing if I were a cop.

I don;t know how comfy. Those damm things get up to 110 degrees F while you're just sitting there.

Ohhhhh, so that's why they had to clothesline him to the pavement. I was wondering. 

Definitely. You can't trust a man who wears his shorts twice because they aren't dirty.