56 Percent Say Police Departments Using Drones, Military Weapons Goes Too Far, 60 Percent of Tea Partiers Agree

In an era of “shoot first, ask questions later, ” 56 percent of
Americans say local police departments using drones, military
weapons, and armored vehicles goes too far and is not necessary for
law enforcement purposes, according to the
latest Reason-Rupe poll. Thirty-nine percent believe these
weapons are necessary for law enforcement purposes.

Majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and independents say such
tactics go too far, though Republicans (53 percent) are slightly
less likely than Democrats and independents (both 60 percent) to
share this belief.

Republicans and Tea Partiers Are Split on Police
Militarization

A significant difference emerges between tea party supporters
and Republicans who do not support the movement. Just like
Democrats, 60 percent of tea party supporters say militarization of
the police is going too far, compared to 48 percent of regular
Republicans. In fact, Republicans who are not tea party supporters
are evenly split with another 48 percent who think the police do
need drones, military weapons and armored vehicles to protect the
public.

Sixty-seven percent of African-Americans think these police
tactics go too far, and 60 percent of Hispanics and 57 percent of
Caucasians agree. Men and women are equally likely to say such
tactics go too far (59 percent and 58 percent, respectively).

“FBI,
Medical Experts Pin Kelly Thomas’ Brutal Death on Police
Beating,” “The
Madness of Law Enforcement’s Escalating Brutality” and
“Cop
Fires Shots at Minivan Full of Kids After Mom Flees Traffic
Stop” are just a few of Reason.com’s recent headlines
reflecting abuses within law enforcement.

Nationwide telephone poll conducted Dec 4-8 2013 interviewed
1011 adults on both mobile (506) and landline (505) phones, with a
margin of error +/- 3.7%. Princeton Survey Research Associates
International executed the nationwide Reason-Rupe survey. Columns
may not add up to 100% due to rounding. Full poll results,
detailed tables, and methodology found here. Sign
up for notifications of new releases of the Reason-Rupe
poll here.