In capitalist America, in order to go to work every day you have to let the military search through your belongings. Once you pass the military checkpoint you must still be wary because there are police officers disguised as civilians hiding in the crowd.
Christ, you think this shit is bad? Wait until they start making you pull the subway cars yourself.
Cops have all the gear that national guard have because this is a fascist country. Even if you don't think national guard are less terrified and bloodthirsty than cops (structurally there's reasons to think they are), you're still left with there being little other difference aside from the uniform.