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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@9X84NRJ6mos6MO
Yes, but only in response to extreme situations and there should be strict training on how to use the military grade equipment.
@B44N6QV2mos2MO
It depends on what is happening, they should have the ability to use military grade weapons but I don't think they should use them everyday.
@B3PSQR92mos2MO
Yes, but strict training should be used for people to use it and in situations higher agencies should be in play.
@B2QZGN23mos3MO
Yes. The police officers are FIRST responders. Not all situations can be solved with the same stuff.
@9X5S98L7mos7MO
used only in extreme situations that cause no other solution, and they need to be trained the same for using these items.
@9WN765F7mos7MO
They should only use military grade equipment if absolutely necessary. If you can get SWAT there, then they don't need military grade equipment. But if they have no choice, then it becomes a necessity.
@9W3B5297mos7MO
people are scared of the police enough a it is we don't need another reason to be even more afraid of them they already have a gun and taser they don't need anything else more to hurt people and some even have dogs
@9T7HBM98mos8MO
yes i think it should be allowed but only for certain people who have had extensive training and for certain situations only.
@9LBNYDRRepublican1yr1Y
You only need better stronger equipment for cities and areas with a very high crime rate. Some small town in the middle of the US doesn't need 5 cops and a full arsenal with a police station.
@9KCSV761yr1Y
Not all extreme situations can wait to be handled by higher agencies, so if it's to happen, the police should have strict training on how to use the equipment but other than that, if the situation can wait, it's better for it to be handled by specialist as they have more than equipment training under their belt.
@9KCQ2HJRepublican1yr1Y
"Military grade equipment" would be referring to things like fighter planes and battleships. In this context, it is a made-up term by the Democratic Party to push a gun control agenda.
@9K9R4ZS1yr1Y
what would be defined as military-grade. the should be able to use the best gear to protect themselves when doing their job.
@9K4VD3W1yr1Y
No, it should be handled by higher agencies, and there are things the country can do to prevent situations where military grade weapons are required
@9HYHB5R1yr1Y
i believe members of swat teams with proper training should have access and k9 units should be allowed to use military grade small arms
@9H9DK2J1yr1Y
Yes, but only in extreme Situations and if they have strict training on how and when use the equipment
@9H9BTLV1yr1Y
"Yes, but only in response to extreme situations" is probably the most accurate answer but I do think it lacks nuance. There is some military surplus equipment that would be useful to police departments but some stuff is just absurd to give to police.
@9GB6XZ62yrs2Y
no because I haven't found any one who can tell me the difference between civilian and military grade
@9FMZKX3Independent2yrs2Y
Only in emergencies, then yes.
@9FJDM4D2yrs2Y
no because them weapons should be only used for war
@9FGQGKW2yrs2Y
Yes, and citizens should be able to own military grade equipment as well.
@9FD7Q3H2yrs2Y
Yes; "military grade equipment" is a loaded term that signifies little; every weapon used by police are, by technicality, "military grade", as they serve in at least one national armed force at least somewhere in the world, and are used concurrently by other police departments worldwide.
Armored vehicles and semi-automatic and automatic weaponry gives an edge over high-profile criminals such as mass shooters, hostage takers, and other barricaded suspects.
@9F73WV22yrs2Y
the police should use equipment that is required of the situation, meeting the threat,
no keep their current status
@9DXQRP52yrs2Y
Yes, but only the use of military rifles, unarmed vehicles, and the like
@8RSNX5R4yrs4Y
Yes, but only in extreme situations. Possibly along side higher agencies or when the higher agencies aren't available
@9BNY2G42yrs2Y
@9BK2TC92yrs2Y
Only in extreme situations with very high trained professionals
@9B24T942yrs2Y
yes and no. We have higher agencies to take care of that type of situation but they take forever to get there sometimes and if need be they should be trained either way so if they have to use that type of equipment they will know how
@96ZCD333yrs3Y
Yes, but only with executed permission from an elected official.
@96JWHV93yrs3Y
No, they are citizens and should follow the same laws as other citizens
@96FDGVSRepublican3yrs3Y
yes but no on everyday traffic stops
@968VVDF3yrs3Y
Yes, "Military Grade" is arbitrary.
@95QZMMK3yrs3Y
should vary on how dangerous a city is.
@95PBNM9Republican3yrs3Y
Only if the situation calls for it and the police are properly trained to use the military grade equipment.
@95G4YM63yrs3Y
depends on what going on
@959N9F23yrs3Y
Yes, but only for high stake operations such as hostage crises, bomb threats, school shootings, gang war, and the like
@956HSS23yrs3Y
No, police do not need to use military-grade equipment, as an issue where it would be needed should be responded to by the national guard.
@9569TT63yrs3Y
Yes, with adequate training and only in extreme cases. We should do, in most areas, as Britain has. For departments over a certain size, police should be educated (maybe require a degree?), and unarmed. Then, highly-trained, armed SWAT-esque rapid response units can be had for armed threats.
@9566YCLRepublican3yrs3Y
No because they arent military
@94HH5SC3yrs3Y
there is no military grade
@94DYCLK3yrs3Y
depends on the situation that is coming to them at that point in time.
@94982MQ3yrs3Y
No, police should be in no situation to need a military grade equipment.
Not if the cops continue doing what they have been. A bunch of killing that doesn't need to happen.
@93C789ZWomen’s Equality3yrs3Y
Depending the situation of the state and its criminal rates .
@92JJYJB3yrs3Y
Only if it is certain specialized departments
@8ZZDZRQ3yrs3Y
if they need to then i say yes
@8ZTPMP73yrs3Y
Do they want police officers to have military weapons? Weapons designed for pure destruction, to kill. What kind of question is this?
Yes if they have a special license to carry them and with proper training insnared on the subject of how to use them.
@8ZFF9BK3yrs3Y
Yes, but only in VERY extreme situations (insurrections, actual violent riots), with strict limits on what military-grade equipment can be used, and ver strict training on when and how to use the equipment.
@8YZBYVK3yrs3Y
yes is more dire situations only
@8YVSWM33yrs3Y
Yes, but only with strict training on how and when to use the equipment, and incredibly harsh punishment for misuse.
@8YRGLYW3yrs3Y
I'm in between both sides. It could help cops with situations that are out of their league but it is also the reason why we have a military to back us up.
Not even a military grade pistol.
@8Y7WGWF3yrs3Y
They should only be allowed this equipment if they have gone through strict training and only during emergencies or situations that require such weaponry.
@8XX4STJ3yrs3Y
Yes, only if there is no higher agencies that are free.
@8XHGDM7Women’s Equality3yrs3Y
yes but not for unimportant reasons like killing people for no reason because you are assuming they did something bad if they don't have anything illegal on them because you should search if you have a search warrant if you don't then you have to let them go unless they are harming you with a weapon or threatening you then you could arrest them but not for assuming
@8XB2BZ3Libertarian4yrs4Y
Yes, only if citizens and own and use the same equipment.
@8W8N2524yrs4Y
In my opinion i would say yes, but only use that equipment when actually need it or use it in extreme or pretty extreme situations and be trained properly on how to use that type of equipment.
@8TVRCGW4yrs4Y
Yes, Criminals Can buy powerful weapons from the black market, Police should be able to counter this with a unreachable for the criminal level of firepower and destruction. But if things like housing or vehicles get damaged in the process the government needs to replace them.
Yes, but with the conditions of the third and fourth options
@8TKNZB84yrs4Y
What defines as military grade equipment?
@8TDZZ8QLibertarian4yrs4Y
Yes, and every law-abiding citizen should have access to "military grade equipment"
@8RSQHW34yrs4Y
Partially, but with strict training on how and when to use the equipment. And a higher agency with more specialized training and equipment should be called in to help in extreme situations.
@8QLV8TX4yrs4Y
No, because the military fights countries, while police fight people and local groups that are violent. They do not need military-grade equipment. Not giving them it also prevents the government from using military-grade equipment to stop peaceful groups.
@9CFJ5BV2yrs2Y
No, but we should have a well regulated militia with military grade equipment
@9CFZLZZ2yrs2Y
They should have training but only be able to use them when they're working in conjunction with higher agencies
@9C9L9Q4Independent2yrs2Y
If military-grade equipment is needed then the military should be the ones handling it, not the police.
@9C5DJGV2yrs2Y
if a situation gets very bad and the threat is too dangerous then yes
@9BZ66K92yrs2Y
Yes, but it is per officer who is allowed to use said equipment.
@9BVL28NWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
They should not use military grade equipment unless necessary.
@9BPZBS72yrs2Y
I think that this will only increase the violence and chances for disaster.
@9BPXR6F2yrs2Y
No, military grade weapons are for military people.
@9BPT98C2yrs2Y
only if the situitons is like really bad like im talking about horrible if not no
@9BGT7X72yrs2Y
I feel like the police should be allowed to have it for extreme situations only because if you ask a police officer if they like to wear military full-on equipment if they feel cool or more dangerous they will say yes(This has been tested already) because having a mask or big gun makes you look scary and could give an officer a feeling of an upper hand on people.
@9BG33SK2yrs2Y
yes, but only in major cities/towns
@99X79TM2yrs2Y
Only in extreme cases if they have correct training
@99WBYZK2yrs2Y
I Believe they should have access to rifles and body armor but they shouldn’t have access to fighter jets and what not
@99VTNGV2yrs2Y
Yes, but only in response to extreme situations and with strict training on how and when to use te equipment.
@99RYVQF2yrs2Y
no because it can sometimes lead do bad things.
@99NT8SW2yrs2Y
yes but only in response to extreme situations and have strict training and when to use the equipment
Yes, but to an extent. Known criminals can be better handled, if armed, they can then proceed with military equipment.
@99HJWW72yrs2Y
Yes, but only for SWAT teams, the use of weaponry shouldn’t be to extreme, like rifles, shotguns, handguns, and maybe ars.
@99H9T5Y2yrs2Y
Some military-grade equipment but only with long, detailed training and in response to extreme situations.
only if its a really bad sistuation
@99BS73K2yrs2Y
the police should not have lower morals because of budget cuts. they do not have a normal office job they protect and serve if they want a really well-paying job they should not have become police as long as they are getting a livable wage and can support themselves and their families that's enough. if we have to worry about cops not caring as much if there is budget cuts then there needs to be a much more rigorous screening process to become a cop.
@9943QYG2yrs2Y
no accuse they all ready have a pistol they dont need to have anything bigger than that
@98KNG7GRepublican2yrs2Y
Only in extreme situations although a pistol, taser, etc is fine for daily basis
@9846Q562yrs2Y
yes for extreme situations and swat.
@982FTW62yrs2Y
no because they would abuse power and they already have the swat which is pretty much a mini army
@97YNV9B2yrs2Y
They should be allowed to wear military grade protection gear but not weapons/ other equipment
@97S7RBK2yrs2Y
Yes, if there is a very bad situation then i think they should use their resources and use the military equipment to fight war
@97NQK7Y3yrs3Y
yes, for certain high tensity situations, but only with officers who have advanced training to be authorized to use these weapons or devices.
@97FSHLM3yrs3Y
The should be allowed the same equipment that's allowed to the public
@978Z4VG3yrs3Y
depends on what the equipment is
@97736R73yrs3Y
Not the military grade guns but just military grade armor for a raid or something major like that.
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