Equipped for War: Exposing Militarized Policing in California

No matter what we look like or where we live, we want our families to be whole and our communities vibrant. But we have repeatedly seen the people who are supposed to serve and protect us treat our communities as spaces of war. Because of racial targeting, those harmed are disproportionately Black and Brown people. The fact that many police departments acquire and deploy militarized equipment into our communities makes the problem even worse. 

“Equipped for War” is a research report, data visualization, and call to action to demilitarize and shine a light on militarized policing in California, focusing on the military equipment police use.  

In response to community demands to take war gear off the streets, especially in Black and Brown communities, California passed new legislation in 2021. The law, called AB 481, gives community members and elected officials insight and power to decide on how militarized their local police should be.

AFSC acquired in-depth data from more than 300 public records requests. “Equipped for War” provides a detailed look at militarized police in California, including the military gear police have amassed and deployed.  We invite you to use our data and findings, together with our advocacy toolkit, to push for transparency and demilitarization.  If you would like support to reduce militarized policing in your community, please reach out to us at CAHealingJustice@afsc.org.