Where does militarization of the police come from?

Militarization of the police goes back to the Reagan-era war on drugs when one program informally began giving surplus military equipment from the Pentagon to police departments across the U.S. The initiative, known as ​​the 1033 program, was formally implemented when Congress passed a law in the 1990s.

Does the militarization of the police damage the public’s perception of the police?

However, several studies show that a militarized police presence does not affect public perception positively. Examining civilian perception and police violence as a result of the 1033 program is important to determine the benefits and downfalls of its implementation.

What are the effects of militarized policing?

And as a 2017 study showed, in law enforcement agencies that use military equipment, officers are more likely to display violent behavior and are more likely to kill the civilians they are supposed to protect and serve. The numbers are jarring: In 2019, police killed over 1,000 people in the United States.

Are Canadian police militarized?

Using data obtained under freedom of information laws, we show evidence that militarization has been nor- malized within Canada’s largest police services. Deployments of SWAT teams have risen in major Canadian cities and are higher in some cases than those reported by Kraska on militarization of US public police.

Which president started the 1033 program?

When he signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 1997, President Bill Clinton authorized the 1033 program. The 1033 program allowed the Department of Defense to transfer surplus military-grade equipment to local and state police forces.

Does the militarization of police better help police address violent situations?

Police militarization neither reduces rates of violent crime nor changes the number of officers assaulted or killed, according to a study of 9,000 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. The study is arguably the nation’s first systematic analysis on the use and consequences of militarized force.

What are some of the benefits of police militarization?

Consequently, police departments with more military equipment are more likely to kill civilians. Research further documents that more militarized police departments are less likely to prevent crime or make local residents feel safer.