Why do police departments have Mine-Resistant Vehicles?
The answer shows how international politics & American foreign policy led to the militarization of US police forces
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The answer shows how international politics & American foreign policy led to the militarization of US police forces
[THREAD]
Let's go back, say to the late 1970s and early 1980s.
This was the height of the US-Soviet Cold War and the US government was spending a ton on defense.
This was the height of the US-Soviet Cold War and the US government was spending a ton on defense.
At the time, the DoD contracted with Oshkosh Truck to produce big, heavy transport trucks
But then 1989 happened...
....the Soviet Union collapsed...
...and "history ended".
The result? US Military spending, which had been surging during the 1980s, declined during the 1990s
Spending cuts meant less work for defense contractors.
Oshkosh was hit hard
Plus, what do you do with all of that old equipment?
Initially, the thinking was that some of the equipment could be used to help the "War on Drugs"
Initially, the thinking was that some of the equipment could be used to help the "War on Drugs"
But by 1997 that program was expanded to all law enforcement purposes
One problem for Oshkosh: what would a police department want with the vehicles they produced for the Cold War?
Things began to change for Oshkosh with the 2003 Invasion of Iraq
Why the US invaded Iraq is a whole other story
Back to Oshkosh.
Once the war became an occupation, "Improvised Explosive Devices" became a major problem for US forces
Once the war became an occupation, "Improvised Explosive Devices" became a major problem for US forces
The inadequacy of US vehicles against IEDs led to a famous confrontation with then Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
In response to questioning about a lack of adequate armor for US vehicles, Rumsfeld replied, "As you know, you go to war with the Army you have."
The DoD responded to this criticism by contracting with OshKosh to develop the MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle
The vehicle became widely used in Iraq and Afghanistan
Despite its success, MRAP production for the DO was discontinued in 2012 following the withdrawal of most US forces from Iraq
What to do with all of the surplus MRAPs? Unlike the other trucks produced by Oshkosh, these had greater potential to be useful for local police departments
npr.org/2014/09/02/345…
npr.org/2014/09/02/345…
The end result is MRAPs going to police and sheriff departments around the country
This is just one example of the type of equipment that led to the 2010s surge in "surplus equipment" going to US police departments
In sum, the MRAP story offers a snapshot into the broader story of US police militarization and, more generally, into how international politics can (and will) eventually influence domestic politics.
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Addendum: pointed out to me that photos above show vehicles produced by a host of companies — BAE, Navistar, etc. Good point! I should be clear that Oshkosh experience is representative of the entire MRAP program, which involved numerous contractors
h/t @wesleysmorgan @CharlyJBB
h/t @wesleysmorgan @CharlyJBB
Addendum 2: defense acquisition rarely a smooth process of "identify problem -> create optimal solution". MRAP program is no exception. Wasn't clear that MRAP was the best solution to the immediate IED problem, nor usable in future war (h/t @Carter_PE)
wired.com/2012/10/mrap/
wired.com/2012/10/mrap/
Addendum 3: 1033 is one small way that local police acquire military weapons (h/t @w_katz1). For instance, there are federal (e.g. DHS) grant programs to help local police purchase new equipment directly from contractors (h/t @JasonFritz1, @tom_s_clark).
warontherocks.com/2020/06/how-to…
warontherocks.com/2020/06/how-to…
Addendum 4: to learn more about the TYPES of police departments that accept MRAPS through 1033, highly recommend this recent Police Quarterly paper by @brettcburkhardt & Keith Baker
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.117…
journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.117…
