Police officers in many  western countries now dress like paramilitaries.

Special police units are being trained and organised along military lines and issued with military-grade weapons.

In the US, that even means grenade launchers and tank-like vehicles for the local constabulary.

Is this creeping “militarisation” justified and what are the future implications for the effectiveness of policing in democratic societies?

Guests

Jeremiah Mosteller – Police Liaison, Criminal Justice Reform, Charles Koch Institute

John Sutton – lawyer and a former commissioned officer, Australian Defence Force

Dr Terry Goldsworthy – Associate Professor in Criminology, Bond University

Patrick Quill – Chief of Police, Combes Police, Texas