LITTLE ROCK, AR — Next week the Little Rock Board of Directors is set to approve $340,000 in spending with some of the money going to outfit officers with riot gear.
Over the last week and a half, every certified officer at the department has been fitted for the equipment.
Currently, the equipment is only issued to 45 members of the Special Response Unit, but the department wants to buy enough for all 535 officers.
The department says recent clashes between police and protesters in cities like Baltimore show the need to step up officer protection.
“We have to be prepared if there is an incident like that should it occur here in Little Rock,” said LRPD Stg. Cassandra Davis.
But some believe the equipment will do more harm than good.
“It does more to aggravate and incite rioting than it does to deter it,” said civil rights activist Rizelle Aaron.
Aaron worries the new equipment will increase the possibility of protests turning violent.
He points to a tense situation in Little Rock two summers ago where he says an angry crowd actually dispersed when officers showed restraint.
Davis says the chief is worried about officers looking too much like soldiers, but adds that keeping the community safe means making sure officers are prepared for whatever may come their way.
Over the last week and a half, every certified officer at the department has been fitted for the equipment.
Currently, the equipment is only issued to 45 members of the Special Response Unit, but the department wants to buy enough for all 535 officers.
The department says recent clashes between police and protesters in cities like Baltimore show the need to step up officer protection.
“We have to be prepared if there is an incident like that should it occur here in Little Rock,” said LRPD Stg. Cassandra Davis.
But some believe the equipment will do more harm than good.
“It does more to aggravate and incite rioting than it does to deter it,” said civil rights activist Rizelle Aaron.
Aaron worries the new equipment will increase the possibility of protests turning violent.
He points to a tense situation in Little Rock two summers ago where he says an angry crowd actually dispersed when officers showed restraint.
Davis says the chief is worried about officers looking too much like soldiers, but adds that keeping the community safe means making sure officers are prepared for whatever may come their way.
