Obama Orders Probe of Police Use of Military Hardware

President Barack Obama has ordered an investigation into whether it is "appropriate" for the U.S. military to sell battle-grade hardware to local police, a senior U.S. official said Saturday.

The order follows widespread criticism of local authorities' use of military gear in Ferguson, Missouri after the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer.

Police there met protests with a massive show force -- body armor-clad officers perched on armored trucks toting stun grenades and assault rifles -- thanks to their access to such U.S. military hardware.

Obama "has directed a review of federal programs and funding that enable state and local law enforcement to purchase military equipment."

The review will consider "whether these programs are appropriate," whether training with the equipment is sufficient, and whether there is enough federal oversight of the gear's use. 

The investigation will be headed by "White House staff including the Domestic Policy Council, the National Security Council, the Office of Management and Budget," the official added. 

Michael Brown's funeral, set to take place Monday, is likely to be a focal point for more demonstrations by angry protesters demanding that Darren Wilson, the policeman who shot the teenager at least six times, face justice.

The demonstrations, at times violent, have stretched on for two weeks.