That could go either way, depending on the department. Big City Departments, I don't know, smaller towns and rural Sheriff's departments might be stocking up for a different reason. The politics vary.
A lot would depend on the type of equipment and supplies, but at some point I would think that they anticipate civil unrest.
They make things that outfit police cars. My husband has noticed some of their weapons have changed. I read an article a few weeks ago that police departments around the nation are being lavished with federal money.
I see stuff that is going on lately and knowing this huge uptick at my husbands business, gives me the creeps.