Police Militarization

Viac o knihe

This Brief examines the “militarization” of law enforcement in the United States, focusing on the stakeholders responsible for its implementation and funding. Driven by policies like the war on drugs, war on terror, and the 1033 program, there has been a significant increase in the use of military-grade weapons, equipment, and tactics by police agencies nationwide. It analyzes support for various aspects of police militarization among lawmakers, police executives, and local officers, highlighting differences in opinions based on position and demographic features through analyses and propensity score matching techniques. Additionally, it outlines key policy changes that have contributed to this militarization and provides insights into the perspectives of policymakers and law enforcement on the practice. The findings reveal that while many stakeholders support paramilitary procurement programs, opinions vary on crucial issues such as oversight and the use of military-grade resources and tactics. This work is relevant to researchers in criminology and criminal justice, particularly those focused on policing studies, as well as related fields like public policy, public administration, emergency management, and sociology.