As a result of the show of force in Ferguson, Missouri, President Obama issued an Executive Order stopping local and state law enforcement agencies from receiving surplus military equipment. President Trump has rescinded that order and law enforcement agencies will again have access to military equipment for their use.
The show of force that was shown in Ferguson was intended to serve as an intimidation with overwhelming power. But it was all a bluff because it was never utilized. Whether it is from the Command Level of the police department or from the politicos, protestors understand the “stand down” order and know that they are able to control the environment.
Seeing police officers standing and watching assaults or looting take place in front of them without taking any action empowers those who choose to create anarchy. Cops would not stand by without a direct order from the command staff. It simply is not in their dna. It was seen in Charlottesville, Va. and again in Berkley, Ca. and makes law enforcement look ineffective and feckless.
The other side of the coin is the way that Boston Police handled their large event. They made it clear that criminal conduct would be swiftly addressed and they lived up to their word by a show of force coupled with making arrests.
Whether it is the shutting down of an Interstate highway or a downtown street, the law enforcement response needs to be quick and decisive. The Constitution of the United States protects free speech. It does not, however, protect conduct associated with the expression of free speech.
There is a line between the response to the demonstrators at the democratic convention in 1968 and controlling a crowd of people who are outwardly disregarding the law and disrupting the lives of innocent citizens simply going about their daily lives.
The military equipment cannot be sold to the public, so making it available to law enforcement is a reasonable decision. This is especially true with the threat of terrorism and violence in the inner cities. It also can be effectively utilized in natural disasters such as the Texas hurricane. But under no circumstances should the power be used as a “bluff”