Should U.S. police get free military equipment? Protests revive debate

Erin Ebbitt holds a sign that reads"Demilitarize the police" during a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., June 2, 2020. REUTERS/Michelle Nichols

At a protest in Manhattan’s West Village on Tuesday, Erin Ebbitt, 28, held a sign that read: “Demilitarize the police.” Supporters of the program tout it as useful. Police used such equipment to find the 2013 Boston marathon bombers and former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said helmets and body armor from the program saved a police officer during the 2016 nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida.

Former President Barack Obama curtailed the program in 2015 after law enforcement officers using military-style armored vehicles and guns confronted protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014 following the fatal police shooting of a black teenager.

“Police are a militarized institution by their nature. We should not be responding to our societal problems with a military approach,” Raphling said.

Turn off the 5Gs! I find a link to the 5gs and the behavior of those around it!!!

They need to learn how to behave like a PROFESSIONAL POLICE FORCE not learn how to be soldiers. Battling their own citizens is not an option . Police forces need to be re-educated to learn what their true function is and who they serve.

Definitely not! Better invest in training police officers on how to deal in a civilised way with large scale protests. And invest in a new US president. One who shows decent leadership.

No

Only if they are also held to the standards of UCMJ.

Give the police more military equipment. When I need them I want them to well equipped. I respect and trust them. She'll chunk that sign if she needs their help.

Republicans prefer live rounds.

NO

HELL NO - they can try to enlist or just stick to video games

Fucking Police

If the citizens can own assault rifles, why can't the police?

What is purpose of USA military in the first place?

Absolutely not. I’ve always been against militarization of civilian police forces. They have no need to military gear.

Tanks n flame throwers

If my city was under seige like many were this past week I'd be happy to know my dept could go in and clean house 'if needed' Let's not forget that horrible North Hollywood gun battle (where only the 2 suspects died) but the cops were badly out gunned. They got very lucky.

No and they shouldn’t be allowed to buy it either.

No School security officers should, lord knows they need it.

should the U.S. Military replace the police? who needs the equipment?

Hell no it needs destroyed to stop the violence

those twats can't even control their current equipment.

The police only need to kneel with the protesters and be part of the change. They don't need weapons against unarmed citizens.

Oh look a fire let's put some petrol on it it's wet it's sure to put it out ......

Should public Librarians have military equipment? Reuters, you really need to stop using questions as headlines. You aren’t Buzzfeed.

It's not free Taxpayers paid for it so we would appreciate it not being weaponized against us. Thanks

The police should not be militarized. Against who? The citizenry?

No

No.. that's causing part of the problems.

Questions are not headlines. Also, NO.

no

Why wouldn’t police get the necessary equipment to do their job and protect people? Anyone who has been saved by police in a bad situation would agree.

Spend the money on training instead of offensive weapons.

NO!!!

We do need to demilitarize the police. Go back to and try to remember when you say 'protect and serve' on the side of their vehicles. Too many ex-military in the police force and they are mixing up their training.

When the police force needs military assets to maintain control of citizens, it signals a fragile and questionable democracy.

They shouldn't get any equipment with the way act with the equipment they already have.

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Obama calls on all U.S. mayors to pursue policing reforms in wake of protestsIn his first live remarks on the unrest gripping dozens of U.S. cities, former President Barack Obama on Wednesday urged every American mayor to review their police department's use-of-force policies in consultation with their communities. we see what BarackObama is doing. Treason sedition Great job on Ferguson.. we will never forget a quick acid test is all that's required, hook a thermo monitor to the genitals and show a picture of police brutality, if the temperature goes up you have a killer cop
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From power lunches to plywood: Vandalized Washington boards up businessDays after outbursts of arson and vandalism struck downtown Washington following peaceful protests against police brutality, the largely deserted heart of the U.S. capital resembles a city girding for a hurricane. the damage bills would be billions with riots n looting in dozen cities Apple shops smashed The WH terrorists ring leader donald trump bused in few hundreds pentagon terrorists with loaded heavy weapons to be ready for their masacre on the protestors to remind people the gruesome trump in his wish of Making Al-Qaeda Great Again.
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