President Obama speaks on Monday in Camden, N.J.. about his prohibition on the federal government providing some military-style equipment to local police departments. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais, The Associated Press)
Re: “Rolling back the militarization of America’s police,” May 19 editorial.
Thanks to The Denver Post for expressing what so many people already know and feel — that militarization of police is, and always has been, a bad move. Explosives, war armor and high-caliber firepower are not needed and should not be part of the arsenal of local police. This sort of weaponry serves only to alienate police officers from the public by presenting them as goons prepared for mayhem rather than human beings who have the difficult job of enforcing the rules of society.
Police, community leaders and the public should work on repairing the mutual trust and respect that used to prevail before militarization. The public will accept the human failings of cops if the cops can demonstrate some vulnerability and an honest desire to serve and to protect.
Walt Heidenfelder, Denver
This letter was published in the May 23 edition.
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