BBC Homepage
  • Skip to content
  • Accessibility Help
  • Your account
  • Notifications
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • iPlayer
  • Sounds
  • Bitesize
  • CBBC
  • CBeebies
  • Food
  • More menu
More menu
Search BBC
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • iPlayer
  • Sounds
  • Bitesize
  • CBBC
  • CBeebies
  • Food
Close menu
BBC News
Menu
  • Home
  • InDepth
  • Israel-Gaza war
  • War in Ukraine
  • Climate
  • UK
  • World
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Culture
More
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Health
  • Family & Education
  • In Pictures
  • Newsbeat
  • BBC Verify
  • Disability
  • Trending

#BBCtrending: Military tactics in US 'war zone'

  • Published
    14 August 2014
Share page
About sharing
Protester facing policeImage source, Scott Olson
BBC Trending
What's popular and why

After the shooting of an unarmed black teenager by police in the US state of Missouri, and the violence that followed, questions have arisen about the police reaction.

The shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown sparked often violent protests, looting and rioting across Ferguson, Missouri, over the past three days. Some commentators have now dubbed the suburb "Fergustan, external" on social media, suggesting the area now resembles a "war zone, external".

President Barack Obama said on Thursday that there was "no excuse for excessive force" by police, while also condemning violence against officers.

Eyewitnesses say Mr Brown raised his arms in an attempt to surrender before he was shot by an officer, but police say there was a struggle.

As local and county police have taken to the streets to contain the unrest, many have questioned whether their show of force has been too excessive.

Police in FergusonImage source, Scott Olson

In one photo, police officers are responding to the protests in armoured vehicles, initially developed to withstand improvised explosive devices.

Other photos show police wearing army green shirts and camouflage pants, similar to the uniforms of US marines, and carrying guns, external based on the military-used M4 carbine.

Videos reveals smoke clouds of what appears to be tear gas, inundating empty streets that were at one point filled with protesters, external.

VineImage source, Other
Image caption,

St. Louis Alderman Antonio French has been documenting the protests in Ferguson on the social media platform, Vine.

Images like these have led many commentators to question how the small suburb of Ferguson could have turned into a "war zone" overnight.

TweetImage source, Other
TwitterImage source, Other
TweetImage source, Other
Image caption,

Twitter users react to photographs and citizen media of police in Ferguson, Missouri.

"Some of the images we're seeing are indiscriminate shows of force - the stopping of people and the pointing guns at people," says Radley Balko, who has written two books on the militarisation of US police.

"This is slowly becoming a default reaction in emergency situations - the only way to stop a situation is an overwhelming force and turning large sections of cities into martial law zones."

Much of the military gear that police departments use is distributed by the Department of Defence at a small cost to police, says Balko. Local police departments only have to pay for the gear's transportation and upkeep.

Media caption,

Author Radley Balko explains why America's police forces often look and act like another branch of the military.

The police in Ferguson have defended firing tear gas and rubber bullets, saying the crowds refused to disperse and some of the protesters were throwing rocks and firing guns.

At a press conference on Thursday police chief Thomas Jackson said the tactical units would be back on the streets tonight. "It's a powder keg. We all recognise that."

Norm Stamper, the police chief who led the much-criticised police response to the 1999 WTO protests in Seattle, believes there are times when the police need to militarise.

"For active shooter cases, hostage situations, and school shootings and so forth, you had better be ready to respond to all of that. It's irresponsible not to," he says.

But he does not think the disturbances in Ferguson justify it, because this type of force should be used in moderation and with the community in mind.

"That means [having an] open and honest forthright conversation that requires police to recognise their role as peacekeepers and peacemakers, rather than escalating their show of force."

Reporting by Annie P Waldman, external

You can follow BBC Trending on Twitter @BBCtrending, external

All our stories are at bbc.com/trending

Top stories

  • Live. 

    Israel's security cabinet approves plan to take control of Gaza City

    • 4203 viewing4.2k viewing
  • Netanyahu divides Israelis and allies with plan for new military push in Gaza

    • Published
      7 hours ago
  • Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali quits over rent hike claims

    • Published
      6 hours ago

More to explore

  • Big Mags: The paedophile-hunting granny who built a heroin empire

    Mags Haney outside her home in the Raploch talking to two police officers. The photo from the mid 1990s shows Haney with short bleached blond hair and big earrings. She is wearing a pink cardigan and and orange t-shirt. A number of locals are standing around watching the scene
  • 'Minister for hypocrisy' and 'Pill for weight loss on NHS'

    The Daily Mail has the headline "Minister for hypocrisy is forced to quit", and the Daily Express says "Pill for weight loss on NHS".
  • Weekly quiz: Which baby names took top spot?

    A baby sucks its fingers as it lies on a pink blanket. It is wrapped in a pale, floral towel, as if it has just had a bath.
  • Faisal Islam: Why has the Bank of England cut rates?

    Andrew Bailey, Bank of England governor, looks straight at the camera. he's wearing glasses and a dark suit.
  • Why Trump-Putin talks unlikely to bring rapid end to Ukraine war

    A composite image of Donald Trump on the left and Vladimir Putin on the right. Both men are wearing suits.
  • The secret system Hamas uses to pay government salaries

    Armed members of Hamas stand in camouflage uniforms in front of a white car. Their faces are covered by balaclavas.
  • My 30-year-old world record 'not a good sign for athletics' - Edwards

    • Attribution
      Sport
    Jonathan Edwards celebrates after setting the triple jump world record in 1995
  • On Ukraine's front line, twisted wreckage shows sanctions haven't yet stopped Russia

    Dymtro Chubenko stands in front of a pile of Russian missile and drone parts
  • Summer Essential: Your family’s guide to the summer, delivered to your inbox every Tuesday

    concentric circles ranging from orange to yellow to represent the sun, with a blue sky background
loading elsewhere stories

Most read

  1. 1

    Waterstones apologises after readers brand event 'utter chaos'

  2. 2

    Mushroom murderer's alleged attempts to kill husband revealed

  3. 3

    'Minister for hypocrisy' and 'Pill for weight loss on NHS'

  4. 4

    A walk-in fishermen's clinic saved me from sepsis - and could transform the NHS

  5. 5

    Britons booking 'later, closer, shorter' UK breaks

  6. 6

    Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali quits over rent hike claims

  7. 7

    Mandalorian actress settles lawsuit with Disney over firing

  8. 8

    US offers $50m reward for arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro

  9. 9

    Big Mags: The paedophile-hunting granny who built a heroin empire

  10. 10

    Southern European butterfly spotted in UK for first time

BBC News Services

  • On your mobile
  • On smart speakers
  • Get news alerts
  • Contact BBC News

Destination X

  • Your latest reality TV obsession has landed on iPlayer

    • Attribution
      iPlayer
    Destination X
  • Rob Brydon welcomes you to Destination X

    • Attribution
      iPlayer
    Destination X
  • Get on board and play along at home

    • Attribution
      Game
    Destination X Game
  • Where the X are they off to next?

    • Attribution
      iPlayer
    Destination X
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • iPlayer
  • Sounds
  • Bitesize
  • CBBC
  • CBeebies
  • Food
  • Terms of Use
  • About the BBC
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Accessibility Help
  • Parental Guidance
  • Contact the BBC
  • Make an editorial complaint
  • BBC emails for you

Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.