People have noticed that the way police handle protests is becoming more like the military.[9][10] Since the 1970s, police who control riots have been shooting at protesters with rubber or plastic bullets.[11] They also use tear gas, which was first made by the US army in 1919 to control riots. Using tear gas in wars is not allowed by international agreements[12] that most countries have signed, but using it in a domestic (inside of a country) situation or non-combat situation is allowed by police or the military.
Concerns have been raised about the militarization of police. Both liberal and conservative groups, such as the Cato Institute[13] and American Civil Liberties Union,[14] have criticized this practice. The Fraternal Order of Police argue that it increases officer safety and protect the public,[15] but studies have shown that militarized police units are more likely to have violent encounters with the public,[16] they are more frequently deployed to communities with large African American population, no matter the local crime rate.[17]
Many countries have a gendarmerie, which is a military force with police duties among civilians.
↑Texas Rangers, Department of Public Safety, Branch Davidian EvidenceArchived 2009-01-07 at the Wayback Machine, Investigative Report No. 1, September 1999; Investigative Report No. 2, January 2000 (PDFs available at Texas Rangers website). The Rangers found that the FBI used grenade launchers to fire two 40 mm M651 grenades. The Army considers the M651 a pyrotechnic device and that it is known to cause fires. The Army Tech Manual for the M651 warns that it can penetrate 3/4" plywood at 200 meters and "projectile may explode upon target impact". During inventory of the Waco evidence the Texas Rangers also found flashbang grenades.
↑James Joyner (June 15, 2011). "Militarization of Police". Outside the Beltway. Archived from the original on December 21, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
.jpg)
