PD Editorial: Scaling back on militarization of police

Members of the Davis City Council added to an important national debate in October when they decided their community, known more for cycling and farming, did not need a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle - MRAP for short - costing some $700,000.

So the council members voted to send it back.

The city’s police chief had acquired the 20-ton piece of equipment through the federal government’s 1033 program, which ships military equipment from the Defense Department to local police departments. Although that particular vehicle ended up being accepted by the nearby city of Woodland - a community that has even less of a need for some high-powered gear - Davis took an important stand.

On Monday, President Barack Obama took another one, issuing a directive to no longer transfer certain types of military weaponry to local police departments, including MRAPs. Grenade launchers, high-caliber weapons, weaponized aircraft and bayonets are also on the president’s no-shipping list.

But it wasn’t what happened in Davis that motivated the president to act. It’s what happened in Ferguson, Mo. where the nation witnessed a local police force roll out tactical armored vehicles manned by officers in camouflage and automatic weapons in a heavy-handed response to the riots there following the shooting of Michael Brown. It was a response that back-fired and triggered important conversations about whether the appearance of such military equipment on city streets deters violent public demonstrations or provokes them.

“There is a big difference between our military and our local law enforcement and we don’t want those lines blurred,” the president said in August when he pledged to review the federal program.

True to his word, Obama has now slowed the flow in this equipment pipeline.

As expected, the president’s action drew some immediate criticism from those in law enforcement who claim the action runs the risk of leaving officers vulnerable during violent protests.

But police have yet to demonstrate why tanks are necessary. And this action still leaves open the possibility of police departments acquiring equipment such as tactical vehicles, explosives and riot equipment if they can certify that they are needed and will be used appropriately.

In announcing the action Monday, the president said the nation has seen how militarized police force “can alienate and intimidate local residents and send the wrong message.”

With this, the president is sending the right one.

Good policing begins with interacting with the public in parks and street fairs – not on tanks with turrets.