The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services (DLA) help the Department of Defense to dispose of its "excess property [...] from air conditioners to vehicles, clothing to computers" by "transfer to other federal agencies, or donation to state and local governments and other qualified organizations", as well as by "sale of surplus property".[7] Availability of surplus equipment has been facilitated by the reduced American presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.[4] The 1033 program is designed to specifically work with law enforcement agencies, like local police forces, school district police and others.
Material donated[edit]
From 1997 until 2014, $5.1 billion in military hardware were transferred from the Department of Defense to local American law enforcement agencies, according to DLA's "Law Enforcement Support Office" (LESO) and material worth $449 million was transferred in 2013 alone.[2][8] About a third of the equipment is new.[9] The most commonly obtained item from the 1033 program is ammunition. Other most commonly requested items include cold weather clothing, sand bags, medical supplies, sleeping bags, flashlights and electrical wiring.[10] The 1033 program also transfers office equipment such as fax machines, which many smaller police departments are unable to afford. The DLA also offers tactical armored vehicles, weapons, including grenade launchers, watercraft, and aircraft.[11][5]
Police departments[edit]
As of 2014, 8,000 local law enforcement agencies participate in the reutilization program.[2] Police departments are responsible for paying for shipment and storage of material acquired, but do not pay for the donation. The largest number of requests for material comes from small to mid-sized police departments who are unable to afford extra clothing, vehicles and weapons. The program gives smaller police departments access to material that larger police departments are usually able to afford without federal assistance. [12] A memorandum of agreement between the DLA and the states participating in 1033 requires, that local police forces use the military equipment within one year, or return it.[4] The rules allow police to dispose of or sell some goods after at least one year of usage.[13]
School districts[edit]
As of September 2014 more than twenty school district police agencies received military-grade equipment through the program.[14] The San Diego school district planned to return a military surplus vehicle after negative public reaction.[15]
