Earlier this month, President Obama issued an executive order banning the federal government from issuing certain types of military equipment to local police departments. The action is in response to an outcry over a militarized show of force during protests last summer in Ferguson, Missouri.It’s not unusual for local law enforcement agencies to count an armored vehicle or even a grenade launcher among its assets. The branch of the Defense Department that oversees the disposal of excess military equipment is based here in Michigan.
Current State’s Kevin Lavery visited the Defense Logistics Agency office in Battle Creek to talk with director of Disposition Services Michael Cannon.