[Infowarrior] - Cue the local PD backlash...

[Richard Forno]

I can see the police unions and chiefs of police going nuts about this "taking away our much-needed tools" to combat crime.  Brace for the police union spin machine to ramp up......after all, power once received (no matter how it's used) is difficult to relinquish.    --rick

Obama bans some military-style equipment provided to police
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-bans-some-military-style-equipment-provided-to-police/2015/05/18/5e48961c-fd45-11e4-8c77-bf274685e1df_story.html

< - >

In previewing the president’s trip, the White House said that effective immediately, the federal government will no longer fund or provide armored vehicles that run on a tracked system instead of wheels, weaponized aircraft or vehicles, firearms or ammunition of .50-caliber or higher, grenade launchers, bayonets or camouflage uniforms. The federal government also is exploring ways to recall prohibited equipment already distributed.

In addition, a longer list of equipment the federal government provides will come under tighter control, including wheeled armored vehicles like Humvees, manned aircraft, drones, specialized firearms, explosives, battering rams and riot batons, helmets and shields. Starting in October, police will have to get approval from their city council, mayor or some other local governing body to obtain it, provide a persuasive explanation of why it is needed and have more training and data collection on the use of the equipment.

The issue of police militarization rose to prominence last year after a white police officer in Ferguson fatally shot unarmed black 18-year-old Michael Brown, sparking protests. Critics questioned why police in full body armor with armored trucks responded to dispel demonstrators, and Obama seemed to sympathize when ordering a review of the programs that provide the equipment. “There is a big difference between our military and our local law enforcement and we don’t want those lines blurred,” Obama last in August.

< - >

--
It's better to burn out than fade away.