The War Amongst our Homes: Society’s Attitude towards the Increased Militarization of American Policing

• In Event: Posters I

Abstract

This thesis seeks to investigate whether or not the increased police militarization has in fact truly affected society’s perceptions of the police. In the United States we have seen the use of militarized equipment by our local (civilian) police departments on the rise. With various militarized weapons such as: assault rifles, night vision technologies and even camouflaged gear from wartime efforts being distributed to local police agencies as a part of military surplus transfers. The “war on drugs”, “war on crime” and “war on terror” are said to be at the forefront of why we have and need such equipment and tactics. Though, is militarization the safest most effective way to combat these professed “wars”? This study analyzes the events leading up to how policing came to be, in addition to detailing how militarized policing came to exist. This study is an effort to see if society feels that they are at war with police, but most importantly to gauge society’s attitude as well as their perception towards the increased militarization of American Policing. Data analysis suggests that gender, income and area of study in college are some factors that have played a significant role in how individuals perceive police.

Author

• Aaron M. Carmichael, Youngstown State University / Akron University