Overview: The Bloated Pentagon Budget And The Militarization of Law Enforcement

In the last few years, it’s been an increasingly common sight in communities across the United States: Local police officers with assault weapons and riot shields, using tear gas on peaceful protesters and operating military-grade vehicles. 

Law enforcement has increasingly used military grade weapons and tactics of war in our communities. This dangerous trend results from our bloated Pentagon budget and the excessive amount of weapons and equipment they own — and subsequently hand off to local police departments.

Our latest overview report explores how federal spending on the defense budget leads to the militarized policing of our neighborhoods and sheds light on the federal programs and policies that contribute to police militarization.

Later this year, we will release a series of reports that take a closer look at border policing and militarization; military weapons transfers and policing; militarized surveillance of Muslim and Black and Brown communities; and policing and tribal sovereignty.

Read or download the report below.