News / Society

Obama limits military-style gear for local police

Monday, 18 May 2015 1:36 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 18 May 2015 5:26 PM ]

US President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the 34rd Annual National Peace Officers event at the US Capitol at the close of Police Week, on May 15.

US President Barack Obama will ban the provision of some military-style equipment to local law enforcement amid ongoing strife between police and communities of color.

The ban is a policy reversal for Obama, who indicated last year that programs by the federal government to provide military-style gear to local police departments would remain in place because of their broader contribution to public safety.

The White House said the federal government will no longer fund or provide tracked armored vehicles, weaponized aircraft or vehicles, firearms or ammunition of .50-caliber or higher, grenade launchers, bayonets or camouflage uniforms.

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse protesters two days after a St. Louis County police officer shot and killed unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson on Aug. 9.

Obama is expected to announce the measures as he visits police headquarters in Camden, New Jersey, one of the country’s most violent and poorest cities.

The announcement comes nine months after police in riot gear and driving armored vehicles clamped down on racially-charged protests in Ferguson, Missouri, drawing international condemnation.

“I’ll highlight steps all cities can take to maintain trust between the brave law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line, and the communities they’re sworn to serve and protect,” Obama said in his weekly address on Saturday.

Police in riot gear watch protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, on Aug. 13, 2014.

Under a federal program, known as the 1033, the Pentagon has been sending excess military equipment to local law enforcement agencies.

However, a study by an interagency group has found “substantial risk of misusing or overusing” military-style equipment, such as tracked armored vehicles and high-powered firearms, which could damage public trust in police.

The militarization of police and use of heavy-handed tactics against protesters, especially in communities of color like Ferguson and Baltimore, have become a major concern for many in the United States.

The militarization of police and use of heavy-handed tactics against protesters have become a major concern for many in the United States.

The killing of several unarmed black men by white police officers in recent months and decisions by grand juries not to indict the officers triggered large-scale protests across the country.

Nearly 1,500 people were killed by police in the past 16 months, according to data collected by an activist group known as Killed By Police.

The actual figure, however, could be much higher than 1,500, as it only includes confirmed police killings.

The activist group, which was founded on May 1, 2013, uses corporate news reports to log the number of people killed by nonmilitary law enforcement officers, whether in the line of duty or not, and regardless of reason or method.

HRJ/HRJ

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