Correct to question it. The reason is simple: Police units cosplay as military units. (going so far as to call themselves “paramilitary.”)
Couple that desire to cosplay with a large funnel of tax dollars going to purchase military purpose weapons for potential use on domestic civilians and we have a resultant system no different than high-school aged kids wanting to prep for airsoft.
Except it is different. They have the ability (and sometimes even the express desire to) escalate and potentially kill other people.
Outside of the due process that is the law they swear to uphold when sworn in to service.
Couple that desire to cosplay with a large funnel of tax dollars going to purchase military purpose weapons for potential use on domestic civilians and we have a resultant system no different than high-school aged kids wanting to prep for airsoft.
Except it is different. They have the ability (and sometimes even the express desire to) escalate and potentially kill other people.
Outside of the due process that is the law they swear to uphold when sworn in to service.