Defense Department Raises Concerns About Law Enforcement Dressing Up As Military

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has raised his concerns about the law enforcement dressing up in Army uniforms. A Pentagon spokesman revealed on Tuesday afternoon that Esper was calling for a system where people could tell the difference between law enforcers and the members of the U.S. military when they face off during protests.

In a statement, Defense Department spokesman Jonathan Hoffman recounted how the appropriation of the U.S. military’s uniforms by law enforcement agencies resulted in a disaster in June, when various groups held George Floyd protests throughout America.

“We saw this take place back in June, when there were some law enforcement that wore uniforms that make them appear military,” he said. Hoffman said the confusion was made worse by the arrival of the armed militia members who also wore military-style gear during the protests.

Video footage and photos from one of the George Floyd protests last month showed law enforcement officials wearing the U.S. army’s camouflage uniform as they faced off with the protesters. The confusion was even compounded by activists wearing pieces of the same uniform during the protests, carrying with them the same gears worn by the military.

Members of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit usually wear military uniforms with custom patches. Last month, the actions of the unit drew scrutiny after videos showed its agents illegally detaining protesters suspected of assault or property destruction. Members of the unit were also documented forcing some protesters to ride an unmarked minivan and taking them away.

“The secretary has expressed a concern of this within the administration, that we want a system where people can tell the difference,” said Hoffman.

This is not the first time that law enforcement dressing up in army uniforms has been a concern. Earlier this month, U.S. Army General Mark Milley also raised his concerns about the optics of law enforcement officials dressing up in army uniforms when responding to protests.

“You want a clear definition between that which is military and that which is police, in my view,” he said during a congressional hearing on July 9. “Because when you start introducing the military, you’re talking about a different level of effort there,” he added.