Mandy M. Goodnight, Alexandria Town Talk (Alexandria, La.)
Alexandria and Pineville police officers soon will be packing more firepower, but it’s firepower they pay for out of their own pockets.
The two departments have given officers the option to buy and carry their own assault or tactical rifles, which typically start at a price of about $800, according to police sources.
“It is becoming where the criminals have more firepower than the officers,” Alexandria police Chief Daren Coutee said.
He does not want his officers to be in a situation where they are outgunned. However, he said, the new policy should not be a concern for the public.
None of the officers may carry the assault rifles unless they have received training in the use of the rifles, and the rifles are to be used only in specific cases, such as barricade situations.
Coutee said officers will not yell to someone to stop, then draw an assault rifle.
Alexandria City Council President Charles F. Smith Jr. said the new policy is fine as long as the officers are trained.
Angela Latchie of Pineville agreed.
The single mother of three said as long as the officers know how to properly use the guns, then it is not a problem. The officers need to be able to properly protect residents, she said.
Twenty Alexandria officers already are certified to carry tactical rifles, said Cliff Slaughter, firearms instructor.
Another 20 have begun the certification process. They are expected to finish the training within the next few weeks.
Several Pineville officers already are carrying assault rifles. The department did not wish to say how many.
The move allowing officers to carry an AR-15 or other versions of the rifle is not unusual.
Officers in larger cities, such as Los Angeles, have assault rifles.
In June, St. Petersburg, Fla., with a 2000 population of nearly 300,000, announced its officers would be allowed to carry assault rifles.
For the last eight to 10 years, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has allowed deputies to carry “long rifles.”
Maj. Mike Slocum said the department sees the weapons as a “necessary tool that we keep.”
Deputies are issued the weapons and are required to be certified in their use twice a year. They also are required to keep them locked away.
Alexandria and Pineville police specify the type and brand of weapon purchased and the type of ammunition that may be used. The departments also specify that the tactical rifles be in a secure location.
Alexandria police Detective Jeff Christie wants to carry an assault rifle, because “a lot of times we are overpowered.”
The 2003 Wise Street shootout, which killed Alexandria police Officers David Ezernack and Jeremy Carruth, showed how the department was outgunned, Christie said. The shooter, Anthony Molette, was armed with an AK-47.
Just last week, Richardson, Texas, officers were fired upon with AK-47-style rifles as they pursued alleged bank robbers, according to the Fort Worth, Texas, Star-Telegram.
One officer was slightly injured during the pursuit.
“Criminals anywhere can get their hands on high-powered weapons,” Coutee said. “We want to keep our officers and the public safe.”
Christie is a part of the department’s first training class and already owns an AR-15.
Most of the officers in the class plan to carry an assault rifle, but know the guns are a “last resort,” Christie said.
Pineville police Capt. Joe Salmon, a rifle instructor, said, “the streets are bad.”
Officers responding to a gun call do not know what type of weapon they might face, he said.
The move to allow officers to carry semi-automatic weapons is an attempt to keep up with and sometimes ahead of the criminals, Salmon said.
In addition, line officers are the first on a scene, and SWAT teams are not always immediately available.
Christie said it is “nice to have the option.”
Pineville and Alexandria are requiring officers to undergo training. They also must re-certify each year.