Police and sheriffs applauded President Donald Trump for lifting a ban on delivering surplus military equipment to local and state police. The ban had been installed during President Barack Obama's administration.
The National Sheriffs' Association issued the praise in a Monday statement.
"We applaud the president's actions, and we are encouraged to see him acting on this important issue that we have vocally advocated for," the association said in the statement.
"Across the country we have seen how valuable this equipment has been to local law enforcement from San Bernardino to Orlando in fighting terrorism, but also by saving lives in floods in South Carolina and snow storms in North Dakota, just to name a few," the association said, according to the statement.
The Fraternal Order of Police also issued a statement applauding the policy change.
"The previous administration was more concerned about the image of law enforcement being too 'militarized' than they were about our safety," said Chuck Canterbury, the Fraternal Order of Police's national president, in the statement.
The sheriffs' association said sheriffs could get equipment through the program they could not otherwise be able to pay for, such as "additional bulletproof vests and Kevlar helmets, upgraded safety equipment, as well as larger equipment such as helicopters and robotics."
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the revival of the program Monday.
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