Police are not soldiers. The United States is not a war zone and its citizens are not enemy combatants. So why are our police equipped as if all these things were true?
Since the creation of the 1033 program (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997, sec 1033) more than $4.3 billion of military equipment has been transferred to state and local law enforcement agencies -- agencies with little training and less need for such equipment. A militarized police force is not the hallmark of a free and democratic nation. This program must be discontinued immediately.
Furthermore, steps must be taken to remove access to military grade equipment already in use by these agencies.
"Protect and serve" -- not terrorize and subdue.