MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- With racial unrest sparked by events in Ferguson, Missouri, roiling the nation, a mid-state police chief is responding to the issues raised.
Responding to concerns that local law enforcement is becoming too militarized, the Obama Administration is this week is considering new restrictions on the transfer of surplus military hardware to police departments.
This follows heated discussion of whether the Ferguson Police Department’s use of assault-style weapons, tear gas and an armored vehicle during protests and riots was appropriate.
Murfreesboro’s Glenn Chrisman is a recent past president of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. He agrees with President Obama that more low-key, community policing techniques are the best choice. But Chrisman goes on to say local police do need military grade equipment to confront certain new realities.
“Unfortunately, we live in a time when “active shooter” has become a part of our vocabulary. Post 9/11, we deal with a situation where we have homeland security and domestic terrorism that also falls in the responsibilities and the duties of local law enforcement. …we have to provide them with the tools to do that safely.”
Chrisman says he and other Chiefs of Police are following events in Ferguson closely, and considering how they would respond in similar circumstances.