The Issue
Our police play a critical role in government’s core function of protecting rights and keeping the peace. They are an integral part of our communities and our government at every level. Ensuring they remain both a part of the community as well as fulfilling their role within the government is vital to both liberty and public safety.
The Impact
The militarization of our police, whereby their outward appearance and display of weapons, uniforms, and equipment convey the image of a soldier at war rather than a keeper of the peace (and the accompanying preference for force over other options to solve problems) breaks the necessary bonds between the community and its police officers. Federal incentives such as the 1033 program circumvent the normal appropriation of funding for this equipment, cutting out any involvement in managing acquisitions outside the police agency itself.
The use of civil asset forfeiture to supplement or meet budgeting requirements puts law enforcement in the position of revenue generation, with similar damage to the relationship between the police and their communities.