2015/05/18 – WASHINGTON — President Obama has banned the sale of some kinds of military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, following widespread criticism of a paramilitary-like response to riots in a St. Louis suburb last August.

In doing so, Obama put his stamp on the recommendations of a multi-agency federal working group that endorsed a ban on sales of some military equipment and providing more training, supervision and oversight of others.

The White House released details of the actions in advance of Obama’s speech Monday in Camden, N.J., where he will highlight a wide range of administration initiatives to fight crime, improve police-community relations and improve transparency in policing.

Banned will be tracked armored vehicles, bayonets, grenade launchers, camouflage uniforms, and large-caliber weapons and ammunition.

Other kinds of equipment will be available to most police departments as long as they meet national policing standards, track their use and receive approval from the federal government before selling or transferring them. Items on the “controlled equipment list include aircraft, wheeled tactical vehicles, mobile command-and-control units, battering rams and riot gear.

Though the specific restrictions on controlled equipment haven’t been drafted, the government highlighted one policy by the University of Texas System police that prohibits the use of military vehicles in response to “exercises of the First Amendment right to free speech” or as a part of “any public demonstration or display of police resources.”

To be eligible to purchase that equipment, agencies must adopt “robust and specific written policies and protocols” covering not just the use of the federal equipment, but their policing practices in general. Agencies that violate those rules would be barred from future equipment purchases for at least 60 days and, in some cases, be referred to the Justice Department for a civil rights investigation.

Through an executive order in January, Obama asked for federal departments to consult with police and civil rights groups to come up with recommendations on police use of military equipment. Obama ratified those executive actions Monday.

But Congress is also considering legislation. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who is sponsoring one of those bills, called the president’s action a step in the right direction and an acknowledgment “that this federal equipment and funding saves lives, but that these programs are in need of reform ”

In a 50-page report released Monday, the working group noted that many police departments increasingly rely on the federal government for equipment as local budgets are strained. “Yet, in some neighborhoods and communities, incidents of misuse, overuse, and inappropriate use of controlled equipment occur, and the resulting strain placed on the community and its relationship with law enforcement is severe,” the report said.

The report specifically cited the response to unrest in Ferguson, Mo., last August following the police shooting of an unarmed man. That incident led to a number of Obama administration initiatives to improve police-community relations, some of which Obama will announce Monday.

They include a White House data initiative to encourage local police departments to release more information about arrests and uses of force by police; guidelines for police use of body-worn cameras; and federal grants to help implement community policing strategies.

Obama previewed Monday’s speech in his weekly radio address Saturday, saying he chose the New Jersey city because of the progress it’s already made.

“I’ll highlight some of the innovative things they’ve done to help police do their jobs more safely and reduce crime in the process,” Obama said. “And I’ll highlight steps all cities can take to maintain trust between the brave law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line, and the communities they’re sworn to serve and protect.”

Source: USA Today 

Gregory Korte