Most Americans are probably unaware that police departments across the country have access to grenade launchers, drones, armored vehicles, and other military-grade equipment. But they do, thanks to an obscure federal policy allowing the military to transfer surplus equipment to law enforcement.
New research casts doubt on the principal justification for this program: police safety and crime reduction. Meanwhile, critics say it makes police abuse more likely.
The policy itself is known as the “1033 Program.” First created by Congress more than 30 years ago, it allowed for the transfer of military equipment to the police for use in the War on Drugs. Eventually, lawmakers expanded the policy to encompass essentially all law enforcement purposes.
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