Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has published an op-ed for Time in which he argues that the tragic shooting of the unarmed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri is a symptom of a greater problem: The militarization of police forces due to the “unprecedented expansion of government power.”
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Paul writes:
If I had been told to get out of the street as a teenager, there would have been a distinct possibility that I might have smarted off. But, I wouldn’t have expected to be shot.
The outrage in Ferguson is understandable—though there is never an excuse for rioting or looting. There is a legitimate role for the police to keep the peace, but there should be a difference between a police response and a military response
How did this happen?
The Kentucky senator notes that “the outrage in Ferguson is understandable—though there is never an excuse for rioting or looting,” and said the military-like response by the police is not the answer.
“Most police officers are good cops and good people. It is an unquestionably difficult job, especially in the current circumstances,” he said, but nonetheless maintains that “[t]here is a systemic problem with today’s law enforcement.”
Paul explored the rise of militarization and pointed to overweening government as the cause:
Not surprisingly, big government has been at the heart of the problem. Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal governments build what are essentially small armies—where police departments compete to acquire military gear that goes far beyond what most of Americans think of as law enforcement.
When you couple this militarization of law enforcement with an erosion of civil liberties and due process that allows the police to become judge and jury—national security letters, no-knock searches, broad general warrants, pre-conviction forfeiture—we begin to have a very serious problem on our hands.
Given these developments, it is almost impossible for many Americans not to feel like their government is targeting them. Given the racial disparities in our criminal justice system, it is impossible for African-Americans not to feel like their government is particularly targeting them.
The senator also pointed to racial outcomes, inadvertent or not, as an issue that needs to be tackled, which he has done before with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and the REEDEEM Act. He reiterated much of what he’s said in the context of the bill.
“Anyone who thinks that race does not still, even if inadvertently, skew the application of criminal justice in this country is just not paying close enough attention,” he wrote. “Our prisons are full of black and brown men and women who are serving inappropriately long and harsh sentences for non-violent mistakes in their youth.”
Michael Brown’s death has had a racial outcome, whether inadvertent or not — the facts about the incident aren’t all there yet, but the aftermath has been clear. Paul advocated for prayerful response to the situation.
“Let us continue to pray for Michael Brown’s family, the people of Ferguson, police, and citizens alike,” he finished.