05-18-2015, 05:00 PM
US Government Takes Action to Limit Militarized Police & Improve Police Accountability/Public Trust
I think this is overall a good thing and it should get bi-partisan support.
The military weapons and gear provided by the Fed and used routinely by some police departments were supplied as a reaction to 9/11. The drawbacks seem to have exceeded the advantages in many cases. Moving forward, the police will need to make a case for receiving heavy military equipment (or buy it privately).
I heard a portion of Obama's conference from Camden, New Jersey where he made the announcements, along with praising Camden's PD for its success in implementing some of the recommendations from the White House's police reform working group report. Over the last two years, violent crime is down 25% there following Camden's enhanced police training program, implementation of body cams, and public relations efforts.
The President essentially hailed Camden as a good example and announced $163 million in grants to encourage police departments to adopt the recommendations of the White House working group report. The administration has been taking other steps to promote accountability for law enforcement; the Justice Department earlier this month announced a $20 million grant program for increasing the use of body cameras by police. Obama has also proposed increasing that amount in his 2016 budget.
I think this is overall a good thing and it should get bi-partisan support.
The military weapons and gear provided by the Fed and used routinely by some police departments were supplied as a reaction to 9/11. The drawbacks seem to have exceeded the advantages in many cases. Moving forward, the police will need to make a case for receiving heavy military equipment (or buy it privately).
I heard a portion of Obama's conference from Camden, New Jersey where he made the announcements, along with praising Camden's PD for its success in implementing some of the recommendations from the White House's police reform working group report. Over the last two years, violent crime is down 25% there following Camden's enhanced police training program, implementation of body cams, and public relations efforts.
The President essentially hailed Camden as a good example and announced $163 million in grants to encourage police departments to adopt the recommendations of the White House working group report. The administration has been taking other steps to promote accountability for law enforcement; the Justice Department earlier this month announced a $20 million grant program for increasing the use of body cameras by police. Obama has also proposed increasing that amount in his 2016 budget.