WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US President Barack Obama administration’s plans to limit local police force access to federal military equipment do not solve the problem of US policemen exhibiting a warrior attitude, former Madison, Wisconsin chief of police David Couper told Sputnik.
“These [Obama administration’s] are good measures and needed to be enacted,” Couper said on Monday. “But, of course, the problem is really in attitude, do police see themselves as warriors or guardians?”
Earlier on Monday, the White House announced plans to ban the supply of some military-style equipment, such as weaponized aircraft and grenade launchers, to local police departments. The measures also limit the police access to armored and tactical vehicles.
Couper argued there may be occasional need for an armored vehicle that can withstand an explosive devise at the county level, but noted that those cars should be deployed only after a dialogue with citizens on how and when they will be used.
“You can talk about guardian police all day, but then have them parade an MRAP [Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles] in every parade around the town square and citizens will think ‘warriors!’” Couper said.
Couper noted that only a few communities currently have firm policies in place on armored cars use.
“This is not what democracies look like,” he added.
At present, US civilian law enforcement agencies receive excess military equipment under the US Department of Defense initiative 1033 Program.
