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9.7k Replies

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...4yrs4Y

No

 @9YLY9SJIndependentfrom Illinois  disagreed…2mos2MO

I’d rather them have the military equipment they need and not need it, than need the equipment and not have it.

Looking at America Numerous studies and instances demonstrate the negative impact of police militarization. A 2017 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that militarized police units are more likely to use force, leading to civilian injuries. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reports that militarized tactics disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Moreover, the 1033 Program, allowing the transfer of military equipment to police, resulted in instances like the Ferguson protests, where militarized responses escalated tensions. Redirecting resourc…  Read more

 @9LPRH3Wdisagreed…8mos8MO

I agree with police allowed to use military grade equipment to save our Australian people and kill the terrorists that come to our country.

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...4yrs4Y

Yes

 @9LPCM8Vdisagreed…8mos8MO

Police do not lack the equipment to deal with the threats they face currently, and escalation of force serves no purpose here - and may indeed backfire as armed criminals now need to themselves bring more firepower to deal with the police threat.

In a terrorist hostage situation, it is not the lack of military grade guns, ammo and armour that prevents police from resolving the situation, any more than it is a lack of access to tanks, submarines or bombers. The same applies for other terrorist attacks such as Bondi stabbings or Bourke Street massacre. The equipment available to police is alread…  Read more

 @9LN9SFGdisagreed…8mos8MO

This could encourage crime and leave the police with less resources to deal with a seriously large crime like terrorism

 @9GWBWLJfrom Guam  disagreed…1yr1Y

The best counter argument to the Yes position on Demilitarize the Police is that it could make police officers less safe and less effective at doing their jobs. Police officers need to be able to protect themselves and the public from dangerous individuals and situations. Military-grade equipment, such as armored vehicles and assault rifles, can help police officers do this safely and effectively. Additionally, police officers often need to de-escalate situations that could turn violent. Military-grade equipment can give police officers the tools they need to do this without using deadly forc…  Read more

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...4yrs4Y

No, extreme situations should be handled by higher agencies with specialized training and equipment

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...4yrs4Y

Yes, but with strict training on how and when to use the equipment

 @9LSXWGPdisagreed…8mos8MO

Even with training, there will always remain an over-zealous or bigoted few who will leap at the chance to harm a civilian.

 @9LSXJG7disagreed…8mos8MO

Even with training, there will always remain an over-zealous or bigoted few who will leap at the chance to harm a civilian.

 @9LD6ZF6Liberalagreed…9mos9MO

It is important to make sure that the police know how to handle guns to avoid any accidental killing of a suspect.

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...4yrs4Y

Yes, but only in response to extreme situations

 @9HZMX3BShooters, Fishers and Farmersdisagreed…12mos12MO

Demilitarizing the police promotes community trust, de-escalation, and effective resource allocation. Overreliance on military equipment can strain relations, escalate situations, and divert funds from essential social programs. Investing in community-oriented policing fosters safer environments, strengthens ties between law enforcement and citizens, and addresses the root causes of crime.

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...4yrs4Y

No, and abolish the police

 @9LD6ZF6Liberaldisagreed…9mos9MO

If we abolish the police, then we will see an exponential increase in crime because the criminals will know the police will not around .

 @9T6W4G6answered…4mos4MO

Yes, but only in response to extreme situation, and with extensive and strict training on how and when to use the equipment

 @9SQ56QGanswered…4mos4MO

if local police are to use them, only use them in response on extreme situations when external and higher agencies of help are too far away from the point of contact.

 @9JXWGCDGreenanswered…10mos10MO

yes and no I agree with only with strict training on how and when but also if a higher agency can deal with the ssiue then they should not police

 @9VMMG4XLiberalanswered…3mos3MO

add a separate government department for homeland security as a middle between the police and the adf

 @9LG7967answered…9mos9MO

Yes, but only in response to extreme circumstances where the people using the weapons have strict training on how and when to use the equipment.

 @9KD5WJVLaboranswered…10mos10MO

yes, but only in specific circumstances such as an attempted coup or other large scale crimes such as terrorism

 @9BTZD7Manswered…2yrs2Y

Only if they have been highly trained, have limited access and equipment amount, and have regulations.

 @9BQ3PLSanswered…2yrs2Y

 @99YF5VKanswered…2yrs2Y

Yes but only with proper training and in response to extreme situations

 @97N26XNanswered…2yrs2Y

yes but if it's something like Smoke grenades flash bangs etc they need to have permission but if it's something serious than no permission is need

 @96HTVY3answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only in resposnse to extreme situations and with strict training on how and when to use the equiptment

 @9352ZTNanswered…3yrs3Y

 @934Y666answered…3yrs3Y

 @934XZ33Greenanswered…3yrs3Y

Only if they are trained and have refreshment courses every 6month and only in the most extreme situations

 @92VD5XHanswered…3yrs3Y

Only in extreme situations and with strict training on how to and when to use equipment

 @92C89MCIndependentanswered…3yrs3Y

 @92C7ZTDanswered…3yrs3Y

Yes, only in extreme situations and with strict training on how and when to use equipment

 @9285BFBanswered…3yrs3Y

 @925F8YPGreenanswered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but only in response to situations where it is necessary and under strict regulations

 @8ZJJ6NHanswered…3yrs3Y

Reasonable force as required. With military equipment comes military enrollment and relevant training.

 @8ZFJLLYIndependentanswered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but not for uniformed police. We have special police units for this as well as, not to mention, the military

 @8ZFCMVDanswered…3yrs3Y

The police are becoming overpowering and threatening. When I was a child I wanted to be a police woman but now after thirty years of community work, I wonder if it is just those who like to dominate people instead of caring for people.

 @8Z9R5ZVLiberalanswered…3yrs3Y

 @8Z8XM7Ganswered…3yrs3Y

if they have all the right training and knowledge for the use of the equipment, and only in serious sitatuions

 @8Z5YDPTIndependentanswered…3yrs3Y

Yes, but only in extreme response and if they have strict training on how and when to use the equipment.

 @8Z2VVNGGreenanswered…3yrs3Y

It depends what the military grade equipment is and what its intended use is. I mean, military grade equipment could mean state of the art night vision goggles or it could mean an RPG..

 @8Y435BKChristian Democraticanswered…3yrs3Y

The police and military should be separated. If needed, the police should call in the military.

 @8X5RX39Greenanswered…3yrs3Y

No, not until we are ensuring that our police all have to receive a university degree for their police certificate.

 @8QP3PZManswered…4yrs4Y

 @8PGGMLManswered…4yrs4Y

 @9C5RZWZLaboranswered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only to respond to extreme situations and with scrutinous training on how and when to use the equipment.

 @9C2KGFRanswered…2yrs2Y

Yes but with proper training and only in the most dangerous and extreme situations.

 @9BTY9XWLiberalanswered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only in extreme situations and with strict training on how to use the equipment

 @9BRTY9Janswered…2yrs2Y

No, other than in situations where the higher agencies are not in the vicinity as a last resort option and only after proper training on when and how to use equipment.

 @9BJ92TDLiberalanswered…2yrs2Y

Depends on like, what police rank I guess and what offences the police deal with, I don't think equipment should be given to every police department only high well trained ons.

 @9B5G37Canswered…2yrs2Y

within special units that have very strict training, like SWAT. not every officer needs military grade weapons, but they should be available if absolutely needed

 @99Z6RC2answered…2yrs2Y

Police should be allowed in very specific extreme situations, but all efforts should be made to contact higher agencies wherever possible.

 @99GTTNLanswered…2yrs2Y

No because, military is higher then police, and police should only be trained to use equipment related to them, Military train for years and years to use 'Military grade equipment' and they should stick with that.

 @9958MG2Liberalanswered…2yrs2Y

Where special training is provided, e.g. SWAT teams, they should be allowed.

 @98XSFB9answered…2yrs2Y

yes but only when there are extreme circumstances like hostage settings or mass shootings

 @984C83Nanswered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but with strict training on how and when to use the equipment and only in extreme situations that cannot be handled by a higher agency in a quick and efficient manner.

 @97ZWQ5Vanswered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only in response to extreme situations and with serious consequences when used improperly

 @95X4KG2answered…2yrs2Y

Yes, but only in response to extreme situations and with stirct training on how and when to use the equipment

 @8ZH5XS5Laboranswered…3yrs3Y

Depends on who manufacturers them. Let’s not support private arms dealers.

 @9CJK2WDLaboranswered…1yr1Y

Yes, but with strict training on how and when to use the equipment and in extreme stances

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

How might the depiction of police in movies and TV shows with military gear impact our views on real-life policing?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

How do you think the history of your community influences its stance on police using military-grade equipment?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

Reflect on a time when you felt extremely safe or unsafe in your community; what role did the police play in that feeling?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

If given the chance to vote on the extent of military equipment in your local police force, what factors would influence your decision?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

How do personal stories or news reports of police encounters influence your opinion on the militarization of the police?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

In imagining a future society, would you see an increased or decreased use of military equipment by police, and why?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

What changes would you expect in your local community if the police department decided to no longer use military-grade equipment?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

If a friend expressed fear of going to a protest because of heavily armed police, what advice would you give them?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

How would you feel if you saw a police officer patrolling your school with military-grade gear, and why?

 @ISIDEWITHasked…3mos3MO

Have you ever witnessed a police operation in your area that used high-tech equipment; what was your immediate reaction?

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