DPS: Military surplus helps police in dangerous situations

PHOENIX — Thousands of military weapons have been transferred to Arizona law enforcement agencies from the United States’ Armed Forces since 2006.

Assault-style rifles, armored vehicles and aircraft are just a few types of military surplus that are used regularly in the Valley by local law enforcement.

“We primarily over the years have purchased at surplus Humvees and we use Humvees because, as a state agency, we have a lot of rural areas in our jurisdiction,” said Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves.