Question

In a essay form please answer How has the militarization of policing impacted their ability to respond effectively to crisis situations? Does it support officers/ exercising escalation skills? If so how? If not how?

Answer 1

Ans- Militarization of police refers to the use of military equipment and tactics by law enforcement officers. This includes the use of armored personnel carriers (APCs), assault rifles, submachine guns, flashbang grenades, grenade launchers, sniper rifles, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams.

Over the last three decades, the militarization of policing in America has grown exponentially, transforming an already troubled culture in many parts of law enforcement for the far worse. The result of this militarization where local police take on the appearance, armament, and behavior of soldiers at war is that the public is both less safe and less free. And those who encounter militarized police, whether in their daily lives or at a demonstration, are far more likely to end up dead or injured as a consequence of an officer’s militarized mindset.The police use more violence to quell protests of police brutality, which results in more death. This dynamic has played out dramatically across the country in recent weeks. But it is not new.

The police carry out those powers and policies during the pandemic becomes of utmost importance as these drastic measures can impact police legitimacy. Whether or not the police can successfully respond to this crisis does not only depend on lawmakers or the government but also on public trust and confidence, and the public is seeing the police as a legitimate power holder. Research consistently shows that whether the public trusts the police and views it as legitimate has important consequences of whether or not people obey the law consequently, in these very uncertain times.

The ability to organize your thinking and calmly respond are effective escalation techniques that can help you avoid a potential crisis. I think it doesn't support officers exercising escalation skills because Law enforcement officers have been expected to coordinate local shutdowns, encourage social distancing, and enforce stay-at-home mandates all while completing the responsibilities for which they are already understaffed and underfunded.