The other thing is that, in a country that glamorizes military strength so heavily, we are giving officers a sense of power and superiority by providing police

The other thing is that, in a country that glamorizes military strength so heavily, we are giving officers a sense of power and superiority by providing police departments with what essentially amounts to military gear. When would a situation ever arise, in a town of 20,000, where it would be justified and necessary for the entire police force to be equipped with military-grade gear?