NC law officers can again get military gear, some reject it

WRAL reports (http://bit.ly/1NW4CgA) that federal officials suspended the state’s police and sheriff’s departments from the program last year. The state Department of Public Safety coordinates distribution of the military gear and missed a deadline to submit an inventory report.

Agencies can start receiving surplus Defense Department gear beginning this month. DPS spokeswoman Pam Walker says almost 60 new agencies have signed on to the federal program.

Not every participating police department wants to continue claiming riot shotguns, rifles, helicopters and mine-resistant vehicles. Siler City Police Chief Gary Tyson says he just didn’t see the need for the military-type equipment they were getting in the past.