Militarization of police refers to the use of military equipment and tactics by law enforcement officers. This includes the use of armored vehicles, assault rifles, flashbang grenades, sniper rifles, and SWAT teams. Proponents argue that this equipment increases officers’ safety and enables them to better protect the public and other first responders. Opponents argue that police forces which received military equipment were more likely to have violent encounters with the public.
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@B324X4F2mos2MO
There have been many instances in which police officers abuse their power and take advantage of local citizens. I feel like it isn't safe and should be trusted by higher agencies.
@B4HFLJL2wks2W
Yes, but not even the military can freely use their own equipment without some sort of approval from the government. Police must receive mandatory training and establish a policy clearly outlining the "rules of engagement" requiring the use of such equipment under very strict criteria. Further, prior to such use, must receive approval by municipal or government officials. In other words, they can't be "suited and booted" 24/7.
@9VCSG6K7mos7MO
I believe that the police should have access to a certain grade of weapons depending on the situation. Tanks and explosives should be left to military, I think that assault rifles should be allowed to trained officers.
@9HW52K81yr1Y
Police should be completely abolished, and citizens should be permitted to use military grade equipment for personal protection
@9H6FNPT1yr1Y
well if you give a currupt cop millitary grade gun then theyll use ot for bad if a situation gets to thag point just let the millatary deal with it
@9GYC866Conservative1yr1Y
Street patrol police should not but if there are lives in danger they should use what ever equipment can help the people at risk which in some cases means using military grade equipment
@9G9WJVH2yrs2Y
Yes, but only in an extreme situation. They must have strict training on how and when to use equipment. Also, only have the ability to use these weapons when higher agencies aren't available or convenient for time.
@9FNMVTQ2yrs2Y
well it depends, because the police in canada sometimes have automatic rifles, most of the time its just a glock. but i believe that the police should be alowed to have military grade backup weapons, incase of a bad cituation, this includes, M4, potensial AUP, and some other stuff, but not explosives, like rockey launchers and things like that and also artilery.
@9FKRM3C2yrs2Y
@9F9VNJV2yrs2Y
yes under certain circumstances with proper training
@9F9V99N2yrs2Y
Depends how big the town or city is
@9RCBSYB9mos9MO
Aside from the term "military grade equipment" being a poor example, looking at the poor condition of much of our "military grade equipment". Considering the wide array of military equipment, this question needs to be more specific, i.e., body armour = yes, small arms, i.e. pistols, small caliber (5.56 or 7.62) rifles = yes, machine guns = only as a serious back up for extreme situations, fragmentation grenades = no, smoke grenades = yes, any larger weapons = no, armoured vehicles = only for extreme situations, cannons and tanks = no.
@9RBWNKL9mos9MO
“Military-grade equipment” is rhetoric. Determine what equipment is needed for the particular policing environment and equip the lol ie appropriately.
@9QQVM6K10mos10MO
I don't think police departments usually need military-grade equipment because it can just escalate situations unnecessarily. In high crime areas, extra protective gear and vehicles might be necessary for their safety, but in general, I'd lean towards no on this issue.
Yes, but only if the military cannot be in the area at a certain time or make it in time for a certain situation
@9K6M4541yr1Y
some extreme cases are not really extreme so it is better to smartfully think about the situation and the scenario in question to even such as use them in the first place when it isn't really mentally bad just to convince, a more worser situation would be something like waco siege, but with more people, or national anarchists around and in forts.
@9K6HR9K1yr1Y
No, Military equipment should be freed to take or be handled with barginning such as our very own money, local economics is our key, and yes, governmental police do not exist in this such.
@9JRST9Q1yr1Y
I think that there should be a special team of police that are allowed to use military grade equipment
@9F46LYB2yrs2Y
Yes. If there was a mass shooter who was hiding in a building and h was not complying i feel that it should be necessary to have access to C4 explosives to be attached to a drone or RC to blow up the shooter. This strategy was used by our american counter parts. The Dallas Police Department was forced to use this method because the shooter was hunkered down and armed with a rifle. He had already Killed 5 police officers and injured 7.
@9BZLYF62yrs2Y
Depends on the situation as well
@96LZ6W7New Democratic3yrs3Y
Yes, but only by certain groups of police that go throught strict training, and only in response to extreme situations
@96GBJGM3yrs3Y
Yes, but only in dire situations and with the proper training.
@96GBF3N3yrs3Y
depending on the circumstances
@96CX5Z3Conservative3yrs3Y
depends on the situation the department is in
@95XHPZP3yrs3Y
No. They should not be upgraded because those same weapons will hit the streets
@957QDF43yrs3Y
I would say i they are traind to use them then they could. Bjt only for certain reasons.
@935D6X53yrs3Y
Yes, “military grade” does not mean anything
@92R4CYZ3yrs3Y
No, extreme situations should be handled by the military.
@92G2HMDNew Democratic3yrs3Y
Yes, but only in response to extreme situations, and only done with strict training on how and when to use the equipment.
@92DZTYM3yrs3Y
No, because we don't want racists running around waving AK-47's in suburban neighbourhoods.
they are all really useing them
@8ZTTW4Y3yrs3Y
What would they need military grade equipment for
No, but if necessary yes
@8ZJ9D553yrs3Y
i would say no depending on the event
@8Z6SRCH3yrs3Y
The definition of what constitutes military grade is vague and misleading as a great deal of things from the basic 9mm handgun and Kevlar vests are technically military grade. To an extent I believe some of this equipment is necessary so a clearer definition is required to define exactly what we're talking about with the term 'military grade'
@8Z4SFDM3yrs3Y
Yes, but only in response to extreme situations and with strict training on how and when to use the equipment. and also strict rules on wrong use and loosing of such items
@8YYK6BW3yrs3Y
If the situation is extreme enough for such measures, I believe there should be military personnel involved. Training for working together in such situations should be provided.
@8YV34ZS3yrs3Y
I think police department shouldn't use military equipment instead they should use weapons that can't kill but reduce the way that people who make crime from running.
@8YJ2P2F3yrs3Y
give the military weapons to all cilivians
@8YG45TJLibertarian3yrs3Y
As long as we have access to the same equipment
@8Y8D8833yrs3Y
It depends on how serious the situation is. For example, if police officers think someone will go on a killing spree, has bombs, hostages, etc, it is fine for them to use military equipment since the perpetrator can very easily kill a lot of people in little time. Other than that, I don't think military equipment is necessary in most other scenarios.
@8XVCM5G3yrs3Y
Yes and no, if in an extreme situation and highly trained than yes.
@8XSRKJQ3yrs3Y
@8XNTMTK3yrs3Y
Depends for what purpose.
@8XJQ57W3yrs3Y
no to an extant they can if there on tract of a most wanted criminal
@8XD2GYJ3yrs3Y
no because police already think they have all the power so why give them more
no because that gives the police force power to inflict racial inequality, more people of skin would be dying because of an "misunderstanding" on the cops behalf.
@8WHVD8N4yrs4Y
Yes, only in extreme circumstance and with extensive and strict training and regulation.
@8WBGNZ24yrs4Y
Provided proper training for when it comes to military equipment. In the case of a very gruesome situation only higher positions should be in charge of such force and exercise
@8VJ6C924yrs4Y
@8VFMRBC4yrs4Y
yes, but only if the general public, who pass all required training and licencing can use and own the same military grade equipment.
@8VFMNT94yrs4Y
No, the actual military should be called to action if a situation legitimately calls for military equipment.
@8TLWKBH4yrs4Y
Yes, but only in response to extreme situations and with strict training on how and when to use the equipment!
@8THYJHNConservative4yrs4Y
Yes, but only in response to extreme situations and training to ensure the equipment is used carefully and correctly.
@8S73DY84yrs4Y
I don't want a police state
Yes, only in severe situations. Example: mass terrorism event, and where they are working along side special units of the military as backup in these events.
@8QHTWWR4yrs4Y
no police hardly know how to use the equipment they have without killing unarmed people
@8PW9SHK4yrs4Y
No, and they shouldn't be allowed to violate the Geneva conventions with regards to chemical weapons.
@8PKYSR24yrs4Y
yes they should because there are a lot of problems that happen that we need their equipment
@8PKB2JC4yrs4Y
no and remove all firearms from police
@8PGTTSM4yrs4Y
yes to protect them better
@8PFTBZ44yrs4Y
Depends on the level of the crime
@9CMFXSL2yrs2Y
only riot police should have access to military grade equipment and only in firearms not in the form of explosives also this would only be in extreme situations with equally arm combatants
@9CM3RDY2yrs2Y
No, because not all officers will use it properly. (some officers should not be allowed to carry lethal devices if they are bringing personal stances into their jobs (racism))
@9CM3CQC2yrs2Y
If it is an extreme situation and the police needs to be involved then they should be very strictly trained on how to use the equipment
@9CLV7FQ2yrs2Y
No, the military is highly trained to handle that equipment, and it is more of a safer location for the weapons.
@9C9ZLBQ2yrs2Y
no, other than guns and tazers
I don't have much education on this topic
@9BPZZRF2yrs2Y
Deescalation training first, then worry about this.
@99KRYF5Conservative2yrs2Y
yes with strict training and they sholud be uesd only in extreme situations
if you arm a organization like police with military grade equipment the forces they come against will also begin arming with deadlier weaponry in an never ending cycle.
@995DYVP2yrs2Y
They should be able to use crowd control or neutralizing equipment.
@993WZSK2yrs2Y
yes but with extreme training and only to extreme situations
@98P6T3B2yrs2Y
Depends if it's very nessesary. But I don't see such a big issue coming to light that would need that equipment.
@972G5M72yrs2Y
Yes, But only in response to extreme situations, with thorough training.
@96W4X2J2yrs2Y
yes, but only in extreme situations by higher police agencies.
@96HHWFC3yrs3Y
for some situations there are some where its needed like a hostage situation but if its like something not as drastic then no
@92JJNYM3yrs3Y
Yes, but only defensive equipment (body armour, etc) not weapons.
@8W3JTH24yrs4Y
@8T55ZT54yrs4Y
Yes, but only in response to extreme situations with strict training. They are more responsible for their actions at this point.
@9CLQQTG2yrs2Y
Depending on how serious the crime is and how powerful the equipment is. Millitary should be called in first in any situation.
@9CGBRSJ2yrs2Y
If they're trained properly, then yes
@9CDDXXJNew Democratic2yrs2Y
I need a better definition of “military grade”
@B4RBCK71 day1D
No they shouldn't Militaries equipment is not safe for situations like murders and suicides' It is not safe to use on people, Should stay with the Military
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