opinion

ACLU: Militarization of police a concern

Events in Ferguson, Mo., have tragically but necessarily touched off much needed debates about racial injustice, police tactics and the increasing militarization of local police departments.

The Indianapolis Star has reported that eight counties in Indiana have acquired MRAPS, large and intimidating mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles. Police and sheriffs' departments across the state now own thousands of military items obtained from surplus at little cost, creating a "police industrial complex." The militarization of police departments that we're witnessing in Missouri is also happening in Indiana.

We understand that law enforcement has a challenging job, but we feel the presence of military machinery in our neighborhoods is alarming. In June, the American Civil Liberties Union released a report intended to provide details on this little-understood phenomenon.

The report, "War Comes Home: The Excessive Militarization of American Policing," includes analysis of thousands of documents obtained through public records requests from police departments around the country. The requests focused on more than 800 SWAT raids conducted by law enforcement agencies and on the acquisition of military weaponry, vehicles and equipment that may be ill-suited to basic police work.

The report also includes the ACLU's recommendations to federal, state and local governments, including reining in incentives for police to militarize; tracking the use of SWAT and the guns, tanks, and other military equipment that end up in police hands; and developing criteria for SWAT raids that limit their deployment to the kinds of emergencies for which they were intended, such as an active shooter situation.

Law enforcement work must be done in an atmosphere that protects both our safety and our rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. We urge law enforcement leaders to be transparent about the acquisition and intended use of military surplus and to inform the public about the training officers will receive.

Further, we urge restraint so that the use of this intimidating equipment does not alienate communities or discourage residents from exercising their constitutionally-protected rights of free speech and assembly.

We urge the public to read the report and contact your local officials about the potential risks to your community. The report is available at www.aclu.org/militarization.

Jane Henegar is executive director ACLU of Indiana.