Monday, May 18, 2015

Obama Announces Ban on Sale of Military Kit to Local Police

US President Barack Obama has used a trip to New Jersey to announce a ban on the sale of some kinds of military equipment to local law enforcement agencies.

Armoured vehicles, bayonets, grenade launchers, camouflage uniform and large calibre weapons and ammunition will be included in the new regulations. 

Here's our Washington correspondent Lorna Shaddick.

IN: President Obama was...  
OUT: SOC 
DUR: 53 seconds
POT: 43 seconds


AUDIO

Speaking in the city of Camden, Mr. Obama endorsed the findings of a federal working group that recommended the ban, as well as providing more training, supervision and oversight to police forces.

IN: The recommendations were... 
OUT: ...to these recommendations 
DUR: 23 seconds


The President said such equipment is often counterproductive:

IN: We've seen how...
OUT: ...local police departments
DUR: 20 seconds 


President Obama also said that the police couldn't be blamed for all social problems: 

IN: A lot of the...
OUT: ...solve these problems
DUR: 37 seconds 


The President also spoke about the over-stretch on the prison system and the problems that can cause:

IN: We all want... 
OUT: ...a good strategy (applause) 
DUR: 31 seconds