All AR, M-16 platforms should be suppressed. They are loud as hell and it sucks when you get 7 or 10 guns busting rounds off all around you. 1,000 times worse in a ship or oil rig.
The beauty of a suppressor in combat is that if you are being shot at, you will not know the direction of the shooter which is extremely helpful for a miss or multiple engagements. Also, it tends to draw considerably less attention and return fire to the user.
Suppressed rifles are great for maintaining S/A (situational awareness). It keeps stress down on team mates and allows for normal communications. They all but wipe out muzzle flash.
I have no problem with cops having them. Everyone should be able to get them without all the hooha circle jerk with ATF etc...
