In wake of Ferguson, McCaskill plans hearings on 'militarization' of police [View all]

WASHINGTON • Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said Thursday she will hold hearings sometime in September "to examine the militarization of local police departments" in the wake of the police response in Ferguson after the shooting death of Michael Brown, 18, by Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson.

It will be before an oversight subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs that McCaskill chairs.

McCaskill issued a statement Thursday saying the hearing will "examine federal programs that enable local police departments to acquire military equipment, such as the Defense Department's 1033 program for surplus property and grants made through the Department of Homeland Security." Local law enforcement officials will be among the witnesses, McCaskill's office said.

McCaskill last week urged the police response in Ferguson be "de-militarized." She has declined comment, including again on Thursday, on whether she agreed with Gov. Jay Nixon's decision to call in the National Guard, which occurred after McCaskill's call to demilitarize the police response.

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