Armed in America: Police & Guns Townhall

1h

Police & Guns, a one-hour town hall conversation exploring whether U.S. police forces are becoming increasingly militarized. Among those that participated in this conversation are Mr. Lawrence; Betty Taylor, former Winfield, Mo. Police Chief and SWAT Team Member; Alecia Phonesavanh, the mother of baby injured when a flash bang landed in his crib during a “no-knock” SWAT raid and other guests.

Episodes

  • Armed in America: Police & Guns Townhall: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Armed in America: Police & Guns Townhall

    S1 E1 - 1h

    Police & Guns, a one-hour town hall conversation exploring whether U.S. police forces are becoming increasingly militarized. Among those that participated in this conversation are Mr. Lawrence; Betty Taylor, former Winfield, Mo. Police Chief and SWAT Team Member; Alecia Phonesavanh, the mother of baby injured when a flash bang landed in his crib during a “no-knock” SWAT raid and other guests.

Extras + Features

  • Mother Recalls 60 Terrified Hours When Gunman Held Her Baby : asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Mother Recalls 60 Terrified Hours When Gunman Held Her Baby

    2m 42s

    An armed gunman forced Iris Vickson out of her home at gunpoint, leaving her two year old daughter inside with the gunman. Iris tells the story of the SWAT team that negotiated for over 60 hours to bring Iris’ daughter back to her safely.

  • Armed in America: Peace Officer | Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Armed in America: Peace Officer | Preview

    30s

    Examine the nation’s rising gun violence with Independent Lens and PBS. Watch new documentary film Peace Officer — followed by a town hall discussion hosted by NPR’s Michel Martin.

  • How Do Police Acquire Military Grade Weapons?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How Do Police Acquire Military Grade Weapons?

    1m 13s

    Through the Federal 1033 program, Chief Beary acquired a grenade launcher. He explains that the University has never had a live round, and how it fits into the security needs of a state university.

  • Introduction to Armed in America: Police & Guns: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Introduction to Armed in America: Police & Guns

    1m 2s

    A panel discusses the growing militarization of the US police force and its impact on neighborhoods across America. SWAT team raids have increased over 15,000% since the 1970’s. With tensions growing between the people and the police, the film “Peace Officer” helps to start a conversation about whether police foster peace or create conflict.

  • Flash Bang Grenade Exploded Near Baby’s Crib, Mother Recalls: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Flash Bang Grenade Exploded Near Baby’s Crib, Mother Recalls

    3m 49s

    Alecia Phonesavanh recounts the story of when a SWAT Team threw a flash bang grenade in through a window, and it landed in the crib of her son, baby Bou Bou. The SWAT Team rushed the baby to the hospital, where he was in a medically induced coma for three weeks. To date Baby Bou Bou has had 14 surgeries.

  • Recruiting Police in Missouri During the Ferguson Protests : asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Recruiting Police in Missouri During the Ferguson Protests

    2m

    In the weeks surrounding the riots in Ferguson, Missouri during the summer of 2014, Betty Taylor was running a police recruitment program in St. Louis. She discusses with Michel and audience the emotion and sense of community she witnessed.

  • Does Arming Police Make Them More Likely to Use Force?  : asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Does Arming Police Make Them More Likely to Use Force?

    1m 54s

    In Ferguson, Missouri, unarmed man Michael Brown was shot by a white police officer in 2014. In Seattle 1999, a SWAT team faced anti-globalization protests that turned so sour that it was called the “Battle of Seattle”. Some psychologist say that the weapons the police carry may make them more aggressive towards others.

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