Why do cops need military hardware?

Lewiston is not a big city — at least not in the sense of Boise, Spokane, Las Vegas or even Coeur d’Alene or Nampa. Fortunately, it has seen little in the way of violence or gang activity. Terrorists will find few soft targets here - no major power plants. No huge sporting arenas. No sprawling commercial centers or government complexes. This is just a humble community a little bit off the beaten path where people tend to know each other. So why does Lewiston Police Chief Chris Ankeny feel the need to acquire a piece of military surplus more suited to the streets of Fallujah?. More here.

Question: Do you think police officers need military hardware to fight the bad guys?