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…
Read moreNarrow down which types of responses you would like to see.
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
Discussions from these authors are shown:
These active users have achieved an understanding of common concepts and the history regarding the topic of Demilitarize the Police
These active users have achieved a basic understanding of terms and definitions related to the topic of Demilitarize the Police
@8PGYWQJ4yrs4Y
Yes, but with strict training and only in extreme situations.
@8VWXZT64yrs4Y
Yes and so should citizens.
@8PL88324yrs4Y
Yes but with strict training on how and when to use the equipment and only in response to extreme situations
@9DQQ6LH2yrs2Y
Only in response to extreme situations, but with strict training on how and when to use equipment.
@8ZRTTQL3yrs3Y
No, the police should not be militarized
No, that's what the SWAT is for
@B2TGHPM3mos3MO
I would like for low grade military utilities to be used in extreme situations where it has been voted upon that a situation has crossed too many lines for the safety of the people
@9VJHKRWIndependent7mos7MO
The police should be equipped with advanced protective gear. I think some military grade equipment such as those that serve either the purpose to armor or enhance the effectiveness in certain circumstances like night goggles should be provided to the police. Weapons should not be added to this mixture.
@9TSJNRF8mos8MO
Only with trained officials in highly dangerous situations should these devices be utilized, and be transported via higher security officers with clearance to use said devices
@9TCR9S8Republican8mos8MO
yes, but only in extreme situations with lots and lots of strict training on when and how to use equipment
@9T44GN48mos8MO
HR departments that acutally listen to employees' coplaints and fix the problems as well a better background checks and mental health checks for all employees of these stations including higher ups would help this become irrelevant
@9SSFMMG9mos9MO
Yes, but it should be a specialized department (like SWAT) and they should have to undergo training on when and how to use the equipment
@9SRM8ZT9mos9MO
Military-grade weapons for police are not needed but military protection such as vests etc are needed
@9S3DH7ZConstitution9mos9MO
I don't understand the whole to-do around "military grade". I was in the military. The stuff wasn't all that good.
@9S27YJY9mos9MO
Depends on what equipment is used. uniforms, body armor is allowable, but armored vehicles and personnel carriers are excessive
Yes, only if higher agencies/professionals will not be involved in a timely manner and with proper and specialized training of the police department
@9MH4SNKRepublican1yr1Y
Yes and no; some police officers are racist and if they were to have military equipment, it would probably be used to kill an innocent man because of a “miss understanding”. Yes though because there are people that have extreme weapons that could kill an officer and the officer has nothing but a 9mm to protect himself/herself.
@9MDZZ281yr1Y
“Military grade” is often mistaken for high quality equipment and technology, which isn’t the case. But short answer, yes. Y’all’s liberal ideologies is the reason why our country is sinking and we have a vegetable for a president. Pathetic.
I would say yes, but only if the necessary training is implemented to carry such equipment, as well as each squad having a police officer with medical studies for a greater response and thus avoiding so many casualties among the pollution teams.
@9JTK4Q31yr1Y
Yes, but police department can only have limited access to the equipment with training, and only must be used in extreme cases that higher agencies can not get to.
@9JDKQ7K1yr1Y
Yes, but with extremely strict training and only in response to situations that need military-grade equipment.
@9H62BXZ1yr1Y
First define military grade equipment. If you define military grade equipment as anything the military has then you count bulletproof vests, and pistols. It depends on the equipment. The police really don't need heavy tanks and bombers but some fancy new breaching tools might be helpful, ecspecially against organized crime near the border.
@9H44VTYRepublican1yr1Y
Yes, because we can’t deploy the US military on domestic ground, and when, taking on domestic threats, we need the same equipment, but not missiles, which the government uses to bomb enemies, and places where collateral damages are imminent.
Depends on the person. All military uses could be abused, you should make sure they are trusted and well trained.
@9FR3VMN2yrs2Y
In the event of aiding with an extreme situation (ex., foreign invasion of Unites States soil, etc.)
@9FLNH7L2yrs2Y
No, and they should be limited to equipment that is legal for average citizens to own.
@9FKKGG52yrs2Y
I think that police departments shouldnt be allowed touse military grade equipment. I dont agree because most police are not trained properly. Many police are easily moved by emotion and can be a danger to citizens.
@9F6ZR8WRepublican 2yrs2Y
Yes, but they should be well trained and if time allows should be handled by higher agencies
@9DSBYKX2yrs2Y
Yes, with 1 caveat, the civilians should also be allowed to own anything they do, with no restrictions regarding background or training requirements. All gun laws are unconstitutional.
@9DRV7SQ2yrs2Y
Add a team with strict requirements to join.
@9DRHN2H2yrs2Y
only people with 100% trust
@96PMY3VIndependent3yrs3Y
Yes, only in response to extreme situations and strict training on how and when to use the equipment
@97J99ZKRepublican3yrs3Y
Yes, but only in response to extreme situations with strict and proper training on how to utilize the equipment.
Only if it will increase protection and with the proper training for decision making while using them.
@96C3K4F3yrs3Y
yes but only with the proper training and only in extreme situations
@969S6H53yrs3Y
No, only in an extreme case should they be trained.
@964QDYF3yrs3Y
Yes, as long as citizens have the same opportunities to buy said equipment
@95QJPRQ3yrs3Y
Police should only be allowed access to equipment that citizens can also access.
i think it is only allowed in sertian situations.
@958F2883yrs3Y
I would only say yes if it was because they didnt have enough of the high trained people but I would still make sure that the police got specialized training before using it
@954PHP93yrs3Y
Yes in special situations no need for a drone strick for a junkie on the street but better protective gear and more accurate lethal and non lethal options like mass shootings and better training.
@94CYZCZ3yrs3Y
"Military grade" is a heavily misused term. Police departments would be using worse gear than they are now if they used "military grade" equipment.
@949R77Q3yrs3Y
Yes, but only with strict training, or in extreme situations
@947HD8YIndependent3yrs3Y
Yes, but only in extreme situations and with special training on how and when to use the equipment.
@9477VQW3yrs3Y
Yes, but only in response to extreme situations AND with strict training on how to use the equipment
@935YTSJLibertarian3yrs3Y
As long as I am allowed to freely purchase comparable equipment without altering current firearm purchasing procedures.
@933F79N3yrs3Y
This is an inconsequential question . "Military grade" doesn't mean anything.
@92QZ6MJ3yrs3Y
Only if I can get the same equipment - the cops are civilians too.
@92NFL8P3yrs3Y
They should be allowed to certain vehicles like HMVEEs and amphibious vehicles
@92L3GSS3yrs3Y
I think that the police departments should have better equipment to respond to extreme situations but at the same time those police could be corrupt or bad then they'd have access to many dangerous weapons
@92K9YML3yrs3Y
Only if I can buy the same equipment they have, sure.
@92G4Y7R3yrs3Y
Yeah but we all know military grade not always new most likely old equipment they need military training
@929GH8D3yrs3Y
No, find additional funding for the programs.
@928YLVS3yrs3Y
At no point should the government be able to use militarized equipment on its own civilians
Only if needed for a raid or something
@9269MM63yrs3Y
What is considered "military grade equipment?"
@9222X743yrs3Y
no, ponly the secret police
@8ZC2Z6P3yrs3Y
if the S.W.A.T team can handle themselves because of their specialized training then let them have it
@8Z7FHDQ3yrs3Y
Individuals should be allowed to use whatever the military and police have access to.
@8YRHF543yrs3Y
Only in the presence of a DOTP
@8YMPVWL3yrs3Y
Only if the department has a specialized 24/7 SWAT team with extensive training.
@8YHKZ7L3yrs3Y
only if the situation is dire.
@8YDHGVCWomen’s Equality3yrs3Y
No, the police already have enough power as it is.
@8YD5X7P3yrs3Y
yes but if they aren't trained in arm to arm combat and gun control for over 3 years then helll NO
@8YBNLFQ3yrs3Y
I feel only if its a dear need for them but not as if they were responding to a local call
@8Y89X423yrs3Y
as long as its not against me or my dawgs
@8XZZ8MBLibertarian3yrs3Y
Yes but I'm allowed to use it too
Yes, but only if in response to extreme situations, and with strict training on how and when to use the equipment.
@8X9ZJBT4yrs4Y
Depends on where you are in America
@8X7JTLF4yrs4Y
Yes but only for the people who have been in the military.
@8WJGHD84yrs4Y
Yes but only in response to very extreme situations and with strict training on when and how to use the equipment
@8WCQBQ64yrs4Y
Lol wtf is “military grade”. Dumbass question when I don’t even know where the goalposts are
@8WB9S8W4yrs4Y
@8W9H9GW4yrs4Y
No it’s to much firepower
@8VZZ7FG4yrs4Y
they should have a special ops unit thats proven themselves
Only if absolutely necessary for the current situation and they would have to have extensive training with the equipment
@8VQZYJ24yrs4Y
Yes only in the most dire situations or if the higher agencies aren’t available in the quickest amount of time needed
@8VNNMNL4yrs4Y
Yes because with the proper training and time put into the training, those military grade weapons could become useful in extreme situations cops can't handle with weapons already given to them.
@8V7CM7BIndependent4yrs4Y
NO. situations that are more severe that would require swat or even higher personnel should be handled without any local police involvement besides the chief of dept and they should require cops to go through intense training and learn the difference in what situations would require use of a gun and which would not, furthermore require testing ever 12 weeks which would include different scenario response and gun safety and training.
@8V5WVJY4yrs4Y
yes and no it just depends what for example a rpg or tank I would say no
@8TZPCYH4yrs4Y
Depends what the situation is but they should be allowed to use them
@8TZNRVH4yrs4Y
Yes, if necessary, but using them for small unnecessary situations... NO!
@8TXXVSH4yrs4Y
Depends on what military grade equipment is. Anything from muskets and antique naval ships to nukes can be classed as that. Military grade equipment needs to be defined
@8TWV2QN4yrs4Y
yes in very serious situations but should also be able to know how to handle and use the equipments
@8TRZK3K4yrs4Y
Maybe, it depends on the equipment, training, circumstances, etc.
@8TR98TP4yrs4Y
It depends on what's being defined as military grade equipment.
@8TC75KC4yrs4Y
No military grade weapons, but yes to military grade defense (ie, body armor).
@8SZLLKZ4yrs4Y
Depends if what you mean is automatic weapons then I choose yes
LOL cops kill inocent black people everyday they would do it even more with better equipment so no
@8SSVD2H4yrs4Y
yes, but with proper training and if classified in a case with a needed equip then carry out the operation just in reach. if not done right and is used under small issues then stuff will happen with your video and evidence to take care of the problem
@8SQBYRP4yrs4Y
We should add weapons that won't kill anyone but make weapons that have enough force to subdue a person
@8SLRM374yrs4Y
Yes but only in response to extreme situations and with strict training on how to use them and when to use them
@8SKWNN44yrs4Y
With well training and really good reasons.
@8SJV94Q4yrs4Y
No, but only if there is more restriction on the guns citizens can purchase
@8SDMSLK4yrs4Y
yes but only a few officers with strict training on how to use them and in what situations as well as regular performance evaluations
@8Q9W5954yrs4Y
Yes, but not all officers, only highly trained and trusted officers.
@8PYTM224yrs4Y
Yes, but only if Civillians have the same access to the equipment
No, with the exception of extreme situations.
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
