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

The police need more training so they are not left to their own devices if they aren't prepared to deal with the people they are trying to control.

Police need more self-awareness and responsibility along with knowledge of the worst case instead of trying to use one thing that can take a life.

We saw in several cases abuses of power within the police, with as little weaponry as a gun and a knee and no accountability - they do not need to be armed further.

Even with very strict training, there are still people out there who would use this kind of equipment poorly and irresponsibly. The police force has a lot more impact on the people of a nation on a day-to-day basis than the actual military, so the police should have far less ability and opportunity to harm said people.

Police should not be equipped with military graded weapons, if there is a situation that requires higher grade weapons or equipment then teams with higher training such as SWAT should be brought in.

My stance that the police should not have access to military-grade fire arms stands alongside the idea that there should be more enforced gun control. With that in mind, there should not be any need for military grade weapons. If the first option for a police officer is to kill whomever they are suspecting or whomever is committing a crime, I think the system of policing is inherently flawed. Police officers must be knowledgeable about human rights, ethics, and the laws they are protecting.

Police officers tend to use too much force when dealing with complications, some even target people of color. I believe our police officers should not carry military grade weapons while conducting business around citizens.

Police have been getting stronger with training grounds using high class firearms such as cop city. The Minneapolis Police, for example, have been nothing but dangerous to their community for decades, to even some residents say they feel unsafe calling the police in emergency situations. Giving them more funding and militarization will only further police's abusie behavior to those they see as below them.

Based on the brutality and actions that take place in horrific situations or stressful situations, I do not think that putting in more weapons would help anything or anyone.

There is no reason for police to have military grade equipment in the first place. Before this question is even asked, the current police need strict training on how to use the equipment they already have. Leave military grade equipment to the military.

I believe police should be fully trained and expirenced in combat to prevent hurting those not causing harm

The police shouldn't have the use nor the power to become militarized, this will eventually lead to hyper militarization of the police.

Any access to military equipment Will only groom police into thinking that equipment will ever be necessary in day-to-day life.
It’s better to learn de-escalation and more appropriate use of current tools instead.

Military and police should be completely different entities. If there is any situation that police can not handle a situation with the equipment they have then they should receive support from a federal entity designed to handle it.

I understand that there are different perspectives on the topic of demilitarizing the police. Some argue that with strict training on how and when to use equipment, it can still be beneficial for law enforcement in certain situations. However, others believe that demilitarizing the police can promote a more community-oriented approach and reduce the potential for excessive force. It's important to consider both sides and find a balance that prioritizes public safety and trust.

96% of police responses are non violent. We train our officers to handle the 4%, then wonder why they overreact.

Regardless of training a nations population should not be exposed to the same weapons and tactics that our nation uses to kill those we are at war with. That is a war against the people. I agree the police should be demilitarized.

Even with strict training, humans are unpredictable beings, there is absolutely no guarantee that would stop the chances of an accidental shooting.

yes because police are taking things way to far now a days and killing innocent people just because they think a badge make them a better person

Once again, police receive strict training but can we always trust them to use their guns correctly? No. So why put guns in the classroom when there is no way of knowing what the teachers will do?

If we Demilitarize the Police then what are you trying to accomplish? More deaths, drugs, and crime will happen without forcing people to listen.

The misuse of any form of military or high-grade equipment or weapons could result in the unjust death of any suspected criminal even though they might not be guilty.

Training and how and when to use equipment won’t stop the police from taking advantage of the power they possess when they still know they won’t have consequences. The only real way for
Demilitarizing the police is taken away the equipment and making officers take real accountability.

Military equipment is for, as it says in the name, trained military officials. People in the militia only used majority of "military equipment" when fighting wars. On the street crime is not a war, and therefore it is not necessary. It just requires more unnecessary money funneled into the police force.

even if they have training they can abuse that power and seriously hurt or kill themselves or others.

Although some officers can be well trained and stick by policies there are too many corrupt cops and we should not be giving them fuel.

No, brutal military weapons should not be placed in the hands of police even with training as police systems are often corrupted.

Police militarization violates the posse, comitatus act. Domestic police forces are tasked with maintaining the peace while soldiers are tasked with a searching and destroying. These functions are diametrically opposed, and should not be mixed. Police militarization is indicative of totalitarian despotism and is not consistent with a free and democratic society.

If we train and equip local police to act like the military in a warzone, that is how they will act.

you say yes and i agree they should be trained for this type of thing, but it could still be a danger to the people around them.

When you give police these weapons, equipment and training, they will behave more militant and they seem to enjoy that. We shouldn't be giving them any more weapons or power because they misuse it every time. You can't trust them plain and simple.

I believe that if the Police were given military-grade weapons the only exception would be for very high crime rate areas. But this would in turn cause even more violence because people would not feel comfortable or safe. Almost like they are in prison.

A gun should not be used unless necessary, there should be training on how to stop situations without firearms.

The police should not have military grade weapons. If people wanted them to then each town should have their own military and certain little petty crimes like thief dont call for those types of weapons. If a crime needed higher grade weapons then higher ranked forces would come to help.

We saw in several cases abuses of power within the police, with as little weaponry as a gun and a knee and no accountability - they do not need to be armed further.

The police should not be provided with military grade weapons. If there is a situation that requires military grade weapons (which is a rarity), said situation should be assigned to a SWAT team, or the actual military if necessary.

The equipment isn't the problem. It's the police themselves. They are rooted in unfairness and bigotry. There should be stricter rules against cops for turning off body cams or having too many charges against them.

Military equipment is made to kill humans. There is no reason police, who are supposedly there to protect, should have access to such equipment.