Read the below The Economist article, Why America's Police Are Becoming So Militarized, and then view the below videos: How NJ Police Are Using Surplus Military Equipment; Heritage Explains 007: Military Gear for Police; Militarized Cops; A Look at the Weapons, Police Tactics Used in Ferguson; North Hollywood Shootout Documentary; and North Hollywood Bank Shootout - LAPD Life on the Beat.
It is important that you view ALL the videos so that you can look at this topic in a balanced way.
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READ ARTICLE: America's Police
Business Insider, Law & Order
The Economist. (2014, March 21). Why America's police are becoming so militarized. Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/why-americas-police-are-becoming-so-militarized-2014-3
(The Economist, 2014)
America's Police [pdf]
VIEW:
NJ Spotlight News. How NJ police are using surplus military equipment [Video]. (2017, February 22). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg4oMs513Nk
Parenthetical citation: (NJ Spotlight News, 2017)
Time: 3:25
VIEW:
The Heritage Foundation. (2017, August 30). Heritage explains 007: Military gear for police [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIOAwWk7dmw
Parenthetical citation: (The Heritage Foundation, 2017)
Time: 1:05
VIEW:
Kennedy, L. (Reporter). (2014, July 3). Militarized cops [Video]. The Independents. Fox Business Network. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Hgnzpb5FI
Parenthetical citation: (Kennedy, 2014)
Time: 5:36
VIEW:
Watch Video
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Gabrielle L. (Reporter). (2014, August 19). A look at the weapons, police tactics used in Ferguson. Fox News. https://video.foxnews.com/v/3738664737001#sp=show-clips
Parenthetical citation: (Gabrielle, 2014)
Copy/Paste URL if video does not play: http://video.foxnews.com/v/3738664737001
VIEW:
Rbtelee1 (2018, July 30). National geographic situation critical Hollywood shootout. [Video]. https://youtu.be/aRLeVQsYxFA
Parenthetical citation: (Rbtelee1, 2018)
Time: 47:06
VIEW:
RebRulez. (2008, April 11). Hollywood bank shootout – LAPD life on the beat [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1agr5ik81I
Parenthetical citation: (RebRulez, 2008)
Time: 4:59
VIEW:
ABC News. (2015, December 3). San Bernardino Shooting suspects' iolent sstandoff with police. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/iJVrMo4ynzs
BACKGROUND:
On December 2, 2015, a terrorist attack, consisting of a mass shooting and an attempted bombing, occurred at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. The perpetrators, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, targeted a San Bernardino County Department of Public Health training event and Christmas party of about 80 employees in a banquet room. 14 people were killed and 22 others were seriously injured. Farook was a U.S.-born citizen of Pakistani descent, who worked as a health department employee. Malik was a Pakistani-born green card holder.
After the shooting, the couple fled in a rented Ford Expedition SUV. Four hours later, police pursued their vehicle and killed them in a shootout, which also left two officers injured. The gunfire lasted for around 5 minutes before both perpetrators were killed. Police used BearCat armored personnel carriers in confronting the shooters. Because authorities feared that the vehicle could contain explosives, the "Rook"—a motorized battering ram with a protective shield—was used to investigate the SUV.
The perpetrators used two illegally transferred .223-caliber semi-automatic rifles that had been modified to defeat California's magazine release requirements, two 9 mm caliber semi-automatic pistols, and an improvised explosive device in the attack.
Using key terms and concepts from the textbook reading and ALL the videos, answer the following questions in a balanced way.
(Please do not hyperbolize! [Look it up.] or generalize.) (Reference should be made to all materials provided in this assignment.)
- Are the police becoming too "militarized"? Why or why not?
- Is the use of military tactics (and/or equipment) justified and/or needed? Explain/support your opinion.
Sample Solution