In the U.S. police budgets are set by elected officials at local and state levels. In 2020 elected officials in New York, Seattle, Los Angeles and Minneapolis approved plans to reduce police budgets in response to the nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. After the budget cuts many US cities saw a rise in crime, with murder rates up by double digits in many cities. In the last three months of 2020, homicides rose 32.2% in cities with a population of at least one million, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Quarterly…
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@8YLQGGK3yrs3Y
No, and demilitarize the police
@B3XCVBQ2mos2MO
Only in the most extreme situations and with very strict training on how to use the weapons and penalties when used severely incorrectly.
@9Y7CPHP6mos6MO
Yes, but, reciprocally, citizens should also have access to military grade equipment inline with the second amendment.
@9TL42YVIndependent8mos8MO
The general public does not know what military grade equipment is or means. Police are not given military grade equipment already.
@9GJSPV7Republican2yrs2Y
I think yes for the two listed above examples of extreme situations, and extremely strict rules on training and obtaining the privilege to do so. Very few people should be trusted with that responsibility.
@9GFLKMM2yrs2Y
No, and either abolish the police or radically democratize policing. Also, extreme situations should be handled by higher agencies with specialized training and equipment
@9F4SYWX2yrs2Y
if its the regular armor to protect the m yes but if its the firearms and stuff to hurt people no.
@9DMBYPM2yrs2Y
Everyone Should Have Access And Training To Military Grade Equipment
@92KLKNL3yrs3Y
police should only be allowed to use military-grade equipment if they have military-grade training.
@99YCHZY2yrs2Y
Yes, provided they also require military grade training and military-equivalent consequences to violations of law or regulation
@95CBY8CConstitution3yrs3Y
Yes, but only if private citizens have access to it as well.
@94RLWQ7Libertarian3yrs3Y
Only if I can have it too
@9433QWG3yrs3Y
Not at this time. In the future, that answer may change.
@93Q6DVW3yrs3Y
Yes, and citizens should also have access to the same caliber of equipment
@93BTRW43yrs3Y
The cops can use the same weapons and armament the citizenry can
@8YXHKTT3yrs3Y
No because the people don't even have that kind of equipment Eben though we are supposed to.
@8YNKZMC3yrs3Y
I guess depending on the situation.
@8YG4LFT3yrs3Y
Only if the citizenry is armed as armed as thoroughly
@8YFWJDM3yrs3Y
if an average threat arises
@8Y2FFLH3yrs3Y
If the situation arises when they are needed then yes
@8Y2DDNS3yrs3Y
They should use military grade equipment when they are in tough and serious situations
Yes, but with proper use and only needed for extreme situations/events
@8XSTJCS3yrs3Y
no, police departments and military base should not be combined
@8XS8MZV3yrs3Y
it would cause harm and chaos
@8XQYVS33yrs3Y
Yes but only with proper training first and only in cases of extreme need
@8XB96LD4yrs4Y
From experience, military grade stuff Is probably worse than police equipment when it comes to durability and ability usage
@8WVJXWG4yrs4Y
Yes, but only when nessacary
@8WSB4D34yrs4Y
It should depend on the type of situation they are dealing with.
@8WMP2V24yrs4Y
Yes, only in extreme situations and if they have strict training on how to use the equipment
@8WDWC8Y4yrs4Y
Maybe, so that in case of something is happening in society they have the power to defend our country.
@8TSNZKJConstitution4yrs4Y
Military grade is not something you want lol.
@8TK923X4yrs4Y
Yes, because "military grade," equipment can mean anything from handguns and rifles to bulletproof vests, to non-lethal foam "grenades," that provide police with the options needed to handle indeterminate situations
@8THV8N84yrs4Y
The police should not have anything the general public cannot go buy at the local sporting goods store.
@8SS954R4yrs4Y
Yes, but only in extreme situations and if had extensive training
@8SHGYP34yrs4Y
Yes but only if regular civilians have the same access
@9CRBDMQ2yrs2Y
Yes , only if citizens can use the same technology
@9C9BRRR2yrs2Y
Yes, but only as long as I, as a private citizen, am legally allowed to own and possess the same equipment
@9B6MKMF2yrs2Y
Police departments should have access to the same weapons criminals use. The sidearm is sufficient for everyday use, but if a crime situation arises, in which military grade equipment is being used, the same equipment should be readily available to the responding officers.
@99TNPRQ2yrs2Y
Yes, but there needs to be more specificity to it. Because a 9mm is military grade, but so is a tank.
@99MK9P22yrs2Y
@99M2VN92yrs2Y
Yes, As long as I am afforded the same access
@999QD6M2yrs2Y
Only if I can legally own the same equipment.
@98YZY522yrs2Y
It should only be given to them in specific situations
@98Q9ZVK2yrs2Y
No because a gun is already dangerous enough and most of the time police are taking advantage of the force they use
@98N55WR2yrs2Y
I think they need to be strictly trained on how and when to use the equipment but if needed to let higher agencies to handle it.
@987Y5WB2yrs2Y
All law-abiding citizens should be allowed to own and use military equipment.
@985JMGQ2yrs2Y
Yes, and allow civilians to possess equivalent equipment
@984RXKR2yrs2Y
No that’s what swat is for
@97S2T8YLibertarian3yrs3Y
I would like to choose yes, for only extreme situations as well as strict training on how and when to use the equipment.
@973YS6J3yrs3Y
Yes, but only to respond to military liked weapons. Stop policing us and be peace keepers again.
@96XTKR83yrs3Y
Only if citizens are allowed the same equipment as the military and that means unrestricted access to military weapons
@96R96MY3yrs3Y
Yes, but average citizens should have equal and universal access to the same weaponry, we are a nation founded by outlaws with guns. All gun laws are unconstitutional.
@8YKGJ3RLibertarian3yrs3Y
As long as citizens can , too.
@9K64JLD1yr1Y
We could go full Batman/Bruce Wayne and try higher technological tools and equipment, and we can try inventing and testing some of the own.
@96J6YHG3yrs3Y
Yes police should be allowed access and, addditional support should be provided. Police should be requried to rotate 10 days on and 7 days off to prevent destigmitzation of violence, and mental health backgrounds should be a requirement and or education to provide verbal deescalation, and recogniziton of appropriate mental health diagnoisis and appropriate referals for placement. Better mental health trainings should be provided as well for training emphasising quality rather than meeting baseline requirements.
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