FAST FACTS:
(West Memphis, AR 06/23/2010) West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert doesn't want to lose any more of his officers the way he did on May 20th. Officers Bill Evans and Paudert's son Brandon, were gunned down after pulling over father and son, Jerry and Joseph Kane. Now, Paudert believes all his officers need to carry, AR-15s, high powered assault rifles.
"We're going to allow these officers to have that weapon in the car with them. They'll be locked down but they'll be able to unlock them whenever they feel the necessity or they might have to use them," said Paudert.
Paudert believes his officers needed the military style weapons when they came face to face with the Kanes in the Walmart parking lot. News Channel 3 was the only station in the parking lot as the shootout took place. We were there as many officers used their standard issued handguns.
Right now, only supervisors are allowed to carry AR-15s. The chief believes expanding it to all is a way of being proactive.
"That doesn't mean we're going to jump out on every traffic stop with an assault rifle in our hands, walking up to a car but it does mean that we're going to have that fire power available if we need it."
Thursday, Paudert will present his proposed policy change to the city council's police commission. Lorraine Robinson heads the commission. In the past she has spoken out against the police department but this policy is one she is seriously considering.
"I can see the need for this but I also see the concern of our citizens because of many things that have happened especially in the African American community in the past. So we want to get a balance here. Something that the citizens will feel safe and the police officers feel protected," she said.
In the proposed policy, officers will have to submit a request to carry the rifle, complete a training course, and score high on their previous handgun qualification courses. The Police Commission must approve the policy before it goes to city council.
- West Memphis Police Chief Wants Officers To Have Rifles
- Says They Need AR-15s
- Supervisors Already Carry The Rifles
(West Memphis, AR 06/23/2010) West Memphis Police Chief Bob Paudert doesn't want to lose any more of his officers the way he did on May 20th. Officers Bill Evans and Paudert's son Brandon, were gunned down after pulling over father and son, Jerry and Joseph Kane. Now, Paudert believes all his officers need to carry, AR-15s, high powered assault rifles.
"We're going to allow these officers to have that weapon in the car with them. They'll be locked down but they'll be able to unlock them whenever they feel the necessity or they might have to use them," said Paudert.
Paudert believes his officers needed the military style weapons when they came face to face with the Kanes in the Walmart parking lot. News Channel 3 was the only station in the parking lot as the shootout took place. We were there as many officers used their standard issued handguns.
Right now, only supervisors are allowed to carry AR-15s. The chief believes expanding it to all is a way of being proactive.
"That doesn't mean we're going to jump out on every traffic stop with an assault rifle in our hands, walking up to a car but it does mean that we're going to have that fire power available if we need it."
Thursday, Paudert will present his proposed policy change to the city council's police commission. Lorraine Robinson heads the commission. In the past she has spoken out against the police department but this policy is one she is seriously considering.
"I can see the need for this but I also see the concern of our citizens because of many things that have happened especially in the African American community in the past. So we want to get a balance here. Something that the citizens will feel safe and the police officers feel protected," she said.
In the proposed policy, officers will have to submit a request to carry the rifle, complete a training course, and score high on their previous handgun qualification courses. The Police Commission must approve the policy before it goes to city council.
