WASHINGTON (AP) — The District of Columbia police chief is urging President Barack Obama not to cancel a program enabling local law enforcement agencies to buy surplus military equipment at big discounts.
Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier told WUSA-TV (http://on.wusa9.com/VQuiqt ) Tuesday that armored vehicles can help police move people safely through areas where there might be a sniper or shooter.
The White House is reviewing such programs following reports that police in Ferguson, Missouri, used armored carriers, dogs and assault weapons on civilian protesters after police killed an unarmed man.
Lanier says the questions reflect concern about how the equipment is used. She says she wouldn’t think of bringing dogs or an armored personnel carrier to a protest simply as a show of force.
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