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Abstract

This paper will critically explore police militarization in the United States, highlighting its origins, implications, and the urgent need to demilitarize them. The rise of militarized police forces began in the 1960s—the War on Drugs and federal programs that allowed military equipment to be transferred to local police departments made their expansion even more possible. Due to this expansion, this paper discusses that police should not be militarized because it increases violence, disproportionately affects marginalized communities, particularly racial minorities, and ultimately fails to reduce crime. Evidence suggests that militarized police forces foster systemic inequalities that are rooted in historical racism—a pattern seen throughout history regarding police. This paper concludes with policy implications to tackle such issues, such as enhanced training, particularly Crisis Intervention Teams, and eliminating or reallocating federal grants that support police militarization. These two policies will cause a paradigm shift in policing that prioritizes equity, trust, and community safety. It will ultimately urge a transformation of the justice system to serve all citizens better.

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