How America Turned Its Police Into an Army

Dr. Benke discusses the relationship between racial composition and police militarization, highlighting the 1033 Program and its impact since the Ferguson protests. He explores the four dimensions of militarization: material, cultural, organizational, and operational. The challenges in researching militarization, such as data limitations, are addressed, along with findings on the correlation between militarization and police violence. The social costs and policy implications are considered, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach. Dr. Benke also discusses the role of economics in understanding these issues and advocates for new economic thinking.

What challenges exist in studying the effects of police militarization?

What are the social costs associated with police militarization as mentioned in the text?

How does the speaker suggest that economics can contribute to understanding police militarization?