As questions mount about the militarization of law enforcement, the top candidates in the state’s race for U.S. Senate say they support a federal program that sends military gear to local police departments.
Republican incumbent Kelly Ayotte is facing a challenge from Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan in one of the most competitive U.S. Senate races this election cycle.
“Sen. Ayotte supports providing surplus protective equipment to local police departments provided there is proper oversight and coordination between local and federal agencies,” Ayotte’s spokeswoman Lauren Zelt said in a statement.
Hassan’s campaign spokesman said the Democrat believes it is “critical” how the equipment is used.
“While the goal should not be to secure military equipment simply for the sake of having it, law enforcement officers must be able to defend themselves with the equipment they need in any public safety situation, including against military-style weapons used by criminals,” Aaron Jacobs said in a statement.
The controversial issue came up in Concord after the city acquired an armored BearCat vehicle in 2014 with the help of a $258,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Concerns over police militarization were reignited last week after the Dallas police deployed a bomb-carrying robot to kill a sniper suspected of fatally shooting five officers.
Dallas police Chief David Brown defended the decision, saying “other options would have exposed our officers to great danger.” Critics have said the tactic is reminiscent of combat zones, and raises questions about when police use lethal force instead of negotiating a surrender.
Zelt didn’t specifically answer Monitor questions about the department’s use of a bomb. Jacobs said all the facts need to be collected, but it’s important for people to remember “Dallas police on the ground were being directly targeted by a deranged and dangerous individual.”
Law enforcement tactics have taken the national spotlight recently after two black men were fatally shot by officers in Louisiana and Minnesota.
Video captured of each incident prompted protests across the country, including those in Dallas, during which a dozen officers were shot.
Both Ayotte and Hassan indicated that law enforcement should build strong relationships with the community, but suggested tension between the police and civilians is scarce in New Hampshire.
“Law enforcement is a critical part of the solution and it’s important that we stand behind those who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,” Zelt said for Ayotte, adding, the “tragedies in Louisiana and Minnesota must be thoroughly investigated and should wrongdoing be found, the law must be fully enforced against the officers involved.”
Hassan “believes that we must not use any incident to demonize all of the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every single day to keep our families and our communities safe,” Jacobs said. “The videos are concerning and raise serious questions about how those incidents were handled.”