Obama Team Calls for New Rules on Police Equipment
As part of a response to the police shooting in Ferguson, Mo., the Obama administration called for new rules Monday on federal money that local law enforcement agencies use to buy equipment, including military items.
As part of a response to the police shooting in Ferguson, Mo., the Obama administration called for new rules Monday on federal money that local law enforcement agencies use to buy equipment, including military items, reports USA Today.
A new report did not explicitly call for a ban on the use of military equipment by police, but did recommend that equipment financed by federal money have "a legitimate civilian law enforcement purpose."
The administration released the report as Obama prepared to meet with Cabinet members, civil rights leaders, and local law enforcement officials about Ferguson, a week after a grand jury declined to indict a white police officer in the shooting death of an 18-year-old black man, Michael Brown.
The administration also proposed a three-year, $263 million federal assistance package to local law enforcement, including a plan for 50,000 new body cameras to be worn by officers. Brown's parents have campaigned for more use of body cameras by officers. The package includes expanded training for law enforcement agencies, and Justice Department assistance for community policing.
The Obama administration further announced the creation of a new "Task Force on 21st Century Policing," with goals that include new ways "to promote effective crime reduction while building public trust," the White House said.
More Patrol

Team Wendy Introduces the EXFIL Endurance Ballistic Helmet, Engineered to Reduce the Burden of Extended Wear
Team Wendy has launched its EXFIL Endurance, a new lightweight ballistic helmet engineered to deliver protection, comfort, and fit during demanding, extended operations.
Read More →
The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026
Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products at National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo 2026
Streamlight will showcase its latest lights, including the Portable Scene Light III and the LiteBox 1Million, at the 2026 National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games Set for Perth, Australia
The 2027 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) will take place in Perth, Western Australia, from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, 2027.
Read More →
5.11 Partners with National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to Support #ForThe343
5.11 has joined the nationwide movement honoring the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
Read More →