Trump sends chilling message on police arsenals

Monday, Sept. 4, 2017 | 2 a.m.

The standard Metro Police patrol uniform looks like it was pulled off of a mannequin in a museum, or dug out of the closets of the guys on the old TV cop series “CHiPS.”

But that’s not a criticism.

Although Metro’s tan-over-tan combo of slacks and button-up shirts might not win many fashion points, the department deserves credit for sticking with it over the years.

And here’s why: While many police departments have updated their look to tactical-type cargo pants, Metro has resisted the trend to avoid being seen as too militaristic and intimidating by the people the department serves.

Metro’s mindset is worth mentioning now that President Donald Trump has foolishly rescinded former President Barack Obama’s order restricting departments from obtaining surplus weapons, vehicles and other gear from the U.S. military.

The order, which applied to such equipment as armored vehicles with tank treads, grenade launchers and even firearm-equipped aircraft, was squarely aimed at easing at least two very real concerns. One, police departments had begun to be seen as occupying forces as opposed to protectors of the public, especially in minority communities. And two, experts warned that departments that obtained heavy firepower were more likely to use it, regardless of whether doing so was actually warranted.

But in tearing up the order, the Trump administration sent a message to the public that its uneasiness about police militarization didn’t matter.

“We will not put superficial concerns above public safety,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said.

Superficial concerns. What a dismissive, imperious and potentially harmful thing to say.

Combined with Trump’s pardon of former Maricopa County (Ariz.) Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who’d been convicted of contempt of court for civil rights violations, the rollback threatens to be a dog-whistled message to officers that overly aggressive or abusive behavior will be condoned.

And it’s all unnecessary, because the rollback will have little if any practical effect. The Obama administration allowed departments to obtain a wide range of surplus items, including teargas, rubber bullets, helmets and Kevlar vests — they merely had to get approval from a city council, mayor or some other local government authority. And most departments weren’t interested in getting the items that Trump and Sessions are taking off of the list of restricted or prohibited items, such as armed aircraft, tracked vehicles and firearms .50-caliber or higher. (By the way, to put this amount of firepower in perspective, it’s enough to bring down airplanes; U.S. fighter aircraft in World War II were typically fitted with .50-caliber machine guns.)

It’s critically important for police to be able to protect themselves, but the Obama restrictions were entirely reasonable and did not prevent officers from obtaining tactical equipment and protective gear.

Beyond that, any responsible modern police official knows that effective law enforcement involves building relationships with communities, not treating them as territories to be subjugated. Departments like Metro have heavy equipment and high-caliber weapons for use by tactical units and special patrols, but they understand that encouraging people to report crimes and work with authorities is instrumental in reducing crime and improving public safety. A weapons buildup sends the entirely wrong message to the community — that police are to be feared, not trusted.