Amid growing
criticism of the military-style equipment and tactics deployed by police in
Ferguson, Missouri, a Democrat from Georgia plans to introduce the “Stop
Militarizing Law Enforcement Act” in Congress next month.
Rep. Hank Johnson
asked his all his colleagues Thursday to join him in supporting the bill, which
he said in a letter “will end the free transfers of certain aggressive military
equipment to local law enforcement and ensure that all equipment can be
accounted for.”
Images of assault
rifle-carrying camouflaged police riding through Ferguson on military vehicles
similar to the IED-resistant equipment used by American armed forces in combat
have proven to be a jolt of energy for a long-simmering debate about police
militarization.
In his letter to Congress, Johnson signaled that he expects his bill to break through the partisan gridlock in the House.
In his letter to Congress, Johnson signaled that he expects his bill to break through the partisan gridlock in the House.