Obama to limit military outlook for police forces
They will have to wear “soft look” uniforms
US President Barack Obama announced in New Jersey on Monday his decision to ban the federal government from providing certain military equipment to police departments.
From October onwards, the White House will apply the recommendations of a task force about limiting military gear for police and will look over the equipment delivery programmes of the Defense, Justice and Homeland Security Departments started in the '90's order to ensure that local and state police forces use “soft look” uniforms.
In order to be given authorised military material, police forces will be obliged to argue the need for it, undergo strict training and accept the established guidelines.
Militarised gear can sometimes give people a feeling that it’s an occupying force
“We’ve seen how militarised gear can sometimes give people a feeling that it’s an occupying force... it can alienate and intimidate,” Obama said.
This move follows the country's protests against police violence that have taken place across the US since a black unarmed citizen was killed on August 2014 in Ferguson by security forces, and similar incidents happened in cities like New York or Baltimore.
Read more: Violence in Ferguson erupts after grand jury decision over Brown's shooting
“We can’t ask the police to contain and control problems that the rest of us aren’t willing to face... if we as a society don’t do more to expand opportunity... then we’ll end up seeing conflicts between law enforcement and residents,” Obama added.
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