More and more police departments across the United States have been obtaining military equipment to use in their day to day operations. That is all about to change.
On Monday, the White House announced there will be new limits on federal programs that supply police departments with military equipment per Reuters.The decision came after a four month study by a Cabinet working group President Obama put into effect.
There will now be eight categories of military supplies local law enforcement agencies will be unable to aquire with federal funds. The list includes: grenade launchers, tracked armored vehicles, bayonets, guns and ammunition of .50 caliber or higher and armed aircraft.
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Other equipment supplied by the federal government will come with new requirements. Local police officers will have to be trained in their use and in “community policing, constitutional policing and community input.” That equipment includes: wheeled armored vehicles, drones, firearms, riot gear and helicopters.
The announcement is part of the President’s efforts to reestablish trust between law officers and the community.
It was brought to the communities attention during Ferguson what equipment the police actually have when they were asked to assist with controlling the riots. Ever since then it has been a hot button issue amongst some law makers, citizens and civil-rights groups. They ahhave pushed to end programs such as Pentagon’s 1033. That program allows surplus military equipment to be sent to police.
