The Heat: Ferguson shooting sparks debate over race and ‘militarized’ law enforcement

The Heat

The fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a police officer in the mid-western town of Ferguson, Missouri has raised heated questions about race relations and the militarization of law enforcement in the United States.

It seems that calm has been restored in Ferguson after several nights of protests and violent clashes with the police following the shooting.

Police on Wednesday night tossed tear gas to disperse a large crowd of protesters, after some threw Molotov cocktails and rocks at the officers.

More than 10 people were arrested. On Thursday protesters marched peacefully alongside state troopers as the Highway Patrol took over supervising security in the city.

While the shooting of an unarmed black teenager has raised questions about race relations, the sight of police dressed in camouflage and body armor alongside armored vehicles has also raised concern about the militarization of law enforcement.

For more on this, The Heat was joined from Ferguson by correspondent Jay Gray.

Follow Jay Gray on Twitter @jaygraymatters

Richard Fowler, an activist and host of a national radio talk show, along with former New York City police chief Bernard Kerik, joined The Heat to talk about this event and the heated debate on race relations and militarization of law enforcement.

Follow Richard Fowler on Twitter @Richardafowler

Follow Bernard Kerik on Twitter @BernardKerik