jct74
08-21-2014, 01:38 PM
"Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts."
Rand Paul on Thursday, August 14th, 2014 in an opinion column
With heavily armored vehicles stationed in the streets and law enforcement officers dressed in camouflage, many have dubbed Ferguson, Mo., a "war zone."
After a white Ferguson police officer shot and killed black teenager Michael Brown Aug. 9, much of the conversation has focused on race relations, and the interactions between police and the community. There’s also been criticism of local police forces using military-style equipment and generally giving the appearance of conducting a military operation.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., weighed in on this topic in a Time magazine column, where he said big government’s to blame for this trend.
"Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal governments build what are essentially small armies—where police departments compete to acquire military gear that goes far beyond what most of Americans think of as law enforcement."
...
Our ruling
Paul said, "Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts."
We found that the government’s 1033 program, which gives surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, has contributed to police militarization by offering free equipment. But it’s not the only thing. Police culture has shifted toward militarization for a number of reasons over the past 40 years. The program (and Washington) might not be the cause of police militarization, but it does incentivize and allow that culture to continue.
We rate Paul’s statement True.
http://static.politifact.com.s3.amazonaws.com/rulings%2Ftom-true.gif
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/aug/21/rand-paul/rand-paul-says-federal-program-incentivizes-police/
Rand Paul on Thursday, August 14th, 2014 in an opinion column
With heavily armored vehicles stationed in the streets and law enforcement officers dressed in camouflage, many have dubbed Ferguson, Mo., a "war zone."
After a white Ferguson police officer shot and killed black teenager Michael Brown Aug. 9, much of the conversation has focused on race relations, and the interactions between police and the community. There’s also been criticism of local police forces using military-style equipment and generally giving the appearance of conducting a military operation.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., weighed in on this topic in a Time magazine column, where he said big government’s to blame for this trend.
"Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal governments build what are essentially small armies—where police departments compete to acquire military gear that goes far beyond what most of Americans think of as law enforcement."
...
Our ruling
Paul said, "Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts."
We found that the government’s 1033 program, which gives surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, has contributed to police militarization by offering free equipment. But it’s not the only thing. Police culture has shifted toward militarization for a number of reasons over the past 40 years. The program (and Washington) might not be the cause of police militarization, but it does incentivize and allow that culture to continue.
We rate Paul’s statement True.
http://static.politifact.com.s3.amazonaws.com/rulings%2Ftom-true.gif
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2014/aug/21/rand-paul/rand-paul-says-federal-program-incentivizes-police/