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Why are some US police forces equipped like military units? – The Guardian

But these are just a small taste of the military-grade arsenal that law enforcement officers have at their disposal – with the military handing them hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of equipment, from mine-resistant vehicles and airplanes, to grenade launchers and rifles.

Since 1997, the US Department of Defense has transferred more than $7.2bn in military equipment to law enforcement agencies. 

This is through the 1033 programme, which funnels excess military equipment to police forces for a fraction of the original cost.

https://archive.today/2020.06.05-125833/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/05/why-are-some-us-police-forces-equipped-like-military-units