It actually started in 1997
The North Hollywood shootout in response to the robbery of the Bank of American that lasted about 45 minutes is mostly responsible for the shift that you are describing. 11 LAPD officers were injured as they tried to battle with two Suspects clad from head to toe in body armor as they fired drum fed fully automatic weapons. You had cops running into gun stores in an attempt to even the odds. Prior to this event local police agencies depending on SWAT Teams to assemble and respond. Patrol officers carried hand guns and shot guns. After this shootout you started to see departments equip patrol officers with semi-automatic rifles, ballistic shields and other "militarized" equipment.
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In response to this post by Seattle .Hoo)
Posted: 04/14/2017 at 3:55PM