Iowa Cops Buy an Armored Vehicle With $300,000 in Asset Forfeiture Funds
It's a nasty mix of police militarization and civil asset forfeiture.
Militarization of Police
Cops Still Love Their Armored Vehicles
Remember concerns about militarized policing? It’s still a big threat to civil liberties and to relations between Americans and law enforcement.
Lawsuit: SWAT Team Shot 12-Year-Old in Kneecap During Raid
The Illinois boy now suffers from severe PTSD and will walk with a limp for the rest of his life, the lawsuit says.
Police Agree To Pay Woman $750,000 After Raiding Her House and Killing Her Dog Over an Unpaid Gas Bill
The case highlights the dangers of using SWAT teams for anything and everything.
Facial Recognition Tech Straight Out of 'Robocop' Could Be a Real Threat to Civil Liberties
As governments and law enforcement agencies rush to incorporate facial recognition tech, California lawmakers have a chance to slam on the brakes.
Minneapolis' Mayor Wants to End 'Warrior' Training That Teaches Cops to Treat Us All Like Threats
The local police union promises to defy him.
Militarized Police Events Are Now Routine
And illustrate the pressing need for civilian oversight.
Prank SWAT Call May Have Led to Wichita Police Killing a Random Man on His Own Doorstep
Don't ignore the roles militarization and trigger-happy law enforcement tactics play.
Trump Used an FBI Graduation Ceremony to Call for Greater Police Militarization
"We are allowing our local police to access surplus military equipment, something the previous administration for some reason refused to do," Trump says. Wrong!
The Cops Were Chasing a Shoplifter. They Ended Up Destroying an Innocent Man's Home.
The outcome of this case may bring clarity to the property rights of Americans living in the shadow of police militarization.
Trump Rescinds Ban on Transfer of Some Military Equipment to Local Police
Rand Paul: "Americans must never sacrifice their liberty for an illusive and dangerous, or false, security."
No, Virginia State Police Weren't Outgunned By Militiamen
Gov. Terry McAuliffe says militia members at Saturday's Charlottesville rally had better equipment than state troopers. Not really.
Officials Continue to Dodge Attempts to Disclose Use of Stingrays
The government doesn't want you to know how much it uses the mass surveillance devices.
Terrorism and Liberty in the Trump Era
Terrorism is only a real threat if it frightens us into destroying our liberties.
Trump, Terrorism, and Freedom: New at Reason
"I tend to err on the side of security, I must tell you."
Pre-Dawn No-Knock SWAT Raid for Minor Drug Charge Ruled Unconstitutional
2015 militarized raid resulted in "fifth-degree drug possession." That's the lowest drug charge possible.
81-Year-Old Woman's Single Marijuana Plant Seized in Raid by National Guard and State Police
Authorities want to play "War on Pot"-with helicopters and militarized raids-while they still can.
Trump Wants Police to Keep Getting Military Equipment From the Pentagon
Donald Trump says he would rescind President Obama's executive order halting the transfer of military equipment to police.
Six Weeks Later, L.A. Sheriff's Department Admits They Killed an Innocent Man in Nighttime SWAT Raid
Donnell Thompson, a 27-year old black man, suffered from mental disabilities. He wasn't armed and had not committed a crime.
San Diego Police Used Stingray to Solve Common Crimes, Failed to Mention Use to Judges
The cellphone tracking instrument has had questionable success.
Pine Bluff Cops Killed 107-Year-Old Man And Got Medals For Doing It, Now Won't Give Them Back
"I don't understand...were you in the war? No, I killed a 107-year-old man"
Obama May Backtrack on Military Equipment Ban For Police
The president met with police leaders after five officers were killed in Dallas.
Baton Rouge Police Sued by ACLU over "First Amendment Violations" During Alton Sterling Protests
Lawsuit alleges "excessive force, physical and verbal abuse, and wrongful arrests."
What's the Matter with Police Using Robots to Kill?
The first known "death by police robot" in Dallas raises ethical questions.
We Need a Different, Better Conversation on Race and Public Policy
Blacks and whites are talking past each other instead of connecting. Sadly, there's no reason to think anything will change soon.
Baton Rouge Protesters Flee to Private Property, Militarized Police Chase Them Off and Arrest Many
Black Lives Matter's DeRay Mckesson and Breitbart News' Lee Stranahan among over 100 journalists and protesters arrested over the weekend.
Feds Gave $2.2 Billion Worth of Military Gear to Local Police Departments Since 2006
Despite calls to end the militarization of police, new report says "2014 and 2015 were peak years" for local PDs acquiring weapons, armored vehicles, and more.
Cleveland Preps For GOP Convention by Ordering 2,000 Sets of Riot Gear
City's police union chief says Republican conventions tend to be violent.
Drug Warriors Will Pay $3.6 Million for Maiming a Toddler
The parents of a boy who was nearly killed by a flashbang grenade settle the last of their legal claims.
Will San Bernardino Shootings Lead to More Militarized Police?
SWAT team's heroic response to mass shooting leads to calls for more military gear for local cops.
Jury Acquits the Only Cop Who Faced Charges After a Drug Raid Maimed a Toddler
Nikki Autry claimed she lied on a search warrant affidavit by mistake.
Are Taser Employees Trolling an Anti-Taser Documentary?
Killing Them Safely directors reveal questionable negative reviews.
NYPD Continues to Confuse Itself with the CIA
Refuses to divulge information about X-ray van surveillance
"There is no 'War on Cops'"; There is a Long-Overdue Conversation About Police Brutality
The increasingly bad image of police around the country is their fault and nobody else's.
Get Ready for Drones Equipped with Tear Gas
Bill allows police to arm drones with non-lethal weapons.
Police Requests for Military Gear Are Not About Fighting Terrorism
Mother Jones reveals hundreds of documents detailing local PDs requests for "combat style weapons, trucks, and armor" from the Pentagon.
When Will Criminal Justice Reform Take Center Stage at a GOP Debate?
Don't let the Left own this issue. They've been terrible.
A Bogus Warrant, a Burned Baby, and an Immoral War
A cop's indictment casts light on a drug raid that nearly killed a toddler.
When Drug Warriors Burn a Baby, Who's to Blame?
A federal indictment reopens questions about a raid that critically injured a toddler.
Boise Police Break Down Door, Use Flash Grenade at Wrong Apartment Complex
It's a good thing no one got hurt.
Obama Administration to End Some Military Equipment Transfers to Police
Grenade launchers are out, but police will still be able to get armored vehicles.
The President's Police Reform Dream Journal
A task force on upgrading policing tactics calls for more guidelines, more training, more spending, but lacks introspection on the state of our laws.
Parents of Toddler Burned by Drug Warriors Demand Compensation
A federal lawsuit argues that the botched raid was "reckless," "plainly incompetent," and "objectively unreasonable."
How to Address Anger Over Shootings By Police? Hide Cops' Names, Of Course!
Arizona legislators make a pretty solid effort to shield cops from public scrutiny
NYPD, Now With More Machine Guns
The cops will also step up video surveillance of the city that never sleeps without somebody watching.
Ban Military Gear to Cops, Say NH Lawmakers
Concord's police chief once named Free Staters as a target for his department's up-armored might.
