President Obama has banned the sale of some kinds of military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, following widespread criticism of a paramilitary-like response to riots in a St. Louis suburb last August.
The White House released details of the actions in advance of Obama's speech Monday in Camden, N.J., where he will highlight a wide range of administration initiatives to fight crime, improve police-community relations and improve transparency in policing.
Banned will be tracked armored vehicles, bayonets, grenade launchers, camouflage uniforms and .50 caliber weapons.
Other kinds of equipment will be available to most police departments as long as they meet national policing standards, track their use and receive approval from the federal government before selling or transferring it. Items on the "controlled equipment list include aircraft, wheeled tactical vehicles, mobile command-and-control units, battering rams and riot gear.
To be eligible to purchase controlled equipment, agencies must adopt "robust and specific written policies and protocols" covering not just the use of the federal equipment, but their policing practices in general, USA Today reports.
