As Twitchy reported, an alleged attempt to rebuild trust between police and the communities they serve has resulted in a new executive order that adds additional controls or bans outright certain equipment that “militarizes” police departments. Not surprisingly, the order has its fans.
The Obama administration has established a "controlled equipment" list, making strides to demilitarize police response. THIS IS IMPORTANT!
— chantae (@_TaeBae) May 18, 2015
NEW: President Obama to issue executive order banning local police depts from using govt surplus military equipment. pic.twitter.com/8Wk87b6txO
— #FixthePolice (@mikebrowncover) May 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/ko0la1d/status/600419837727342592
@ko0la1d What is the half-assed part in your opinion?
— Jeremiah Simpson✈️? (@NonContactHogg) May 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/ko0la1d/status/600420561081217024
David Limbaugh sees President Obama’s executive order as wish fulfillment for ’60s radicals who now serve in positions of power.
Feds: No more bayonets, other military equipment for local cops, @evanperez reports http://t.co/HUv9NP5UQk pic.twitter.com/dMlbaIt6H2
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 18, 2015
Not because of any concern about posse comitatus, I assure you, but to further emasculate them. https://t.co/6Z1oHsQUkv
— David Limbaugh (@DavidLimbaugh) May 18, 2015
Remember when the 60s radicals hated cops and called them “pigs?” Well, déjà vu all over again as the 60s radicals now glory in their power.
— David Limbaugh (@DavidLimbaugh) May 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/kraig4u/status/600391406759194624
@DavidLimbaugh And still calling the cops "pigs," hating them just as much, and teaching the next generation to do the same.
— Laird Baldwin (@DrLairdBaldwin) May 18, 2015
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@DavidLimbaugh They hated the "establishment" and "the man" then. Now, they and their children are the Democrat Party.
— Steve Moody (@kyracer57) May 18, 2015
@DavidLimbaugh @peddoc63 The is a long running war against police from extreme left because police are the first line of defense. #police
— Christopher McCarthy (@Chris_topher_Mc) May 18, 2015
https://twitter.com/flygirlleah/status/600467722409873408
@DavidLimbaugh The 60's radicals are in many of our public schools now. Their kids are on the streets rioting, oops protesting.
— ??Laurie ?? (@Jeaf79Lynn) May 19, 2015
Greatest Generation to the The Most Self Absorbed Generation. They honored themselves before their parents. @DavidLimbaugh @Freedom4Dummies
— CountryBeforeParty (@commoncranium) May 19, 2015
STATEMENT OF FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE NATIONAL PRESIDENT CHUCK CANTERBURY ON CHANGES TO FEDERAL EQUIPMENT PROGRAMS http://t.co/Vze61T1kIt
— FOP Legislative (@FOPLegislative) May 18, 2015
Also concerned by the administration’s desire to emasculate law enforcement: the Fraternal Order of Police, which issued a brief statement, which reads in part:
The FOP was very disappointed that the “controlled” equipment list identified protective gear like anti-ballistic shields and helmets as well as armored vehicles, as this will make these defensive purchases much more difficult to obtain. Similarly, some less than lethal technologies have also been put on the “controlled” equipment list.
A quick glance at the litany of organizations that were contacted by the Working Group shows very clearly that the input and feedback provided by the Fraternal Order of Police and other law enforcement groups was drowned out as the changes announced today are not in line with our positions on these programs.
All of us know that this issue is not really about equipment. We ought not to be distracted by thinking the problem is with the types of equipment or how the equipment is procured. Instead, we need to focus on better command decision-making at the local and State level with respect to how and when the equipment is deployed in the field. This, and of course appropriate training for the officers who are directed to use the equipment, is critical.
A quick glance at the list of stakeholders engaged does show an awfully long list of groups consulted, including the ACLU, NAACP, Human Rights Watch, the Center for Policing Equity and many more.
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