Worcester cops move "up" to .45
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Worcester Police Beef Up Weapons With Firepower
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Jonathan Elias
Reporting
(WBZ) WORCESTER, Mass. Fighting fire with fire is an old saying that has new meaning in Worcester as police there and in a number of other cities get new and more powerful guns.
The kind of gun that has been carried by our military for nearly 100 years will soon be on the streets of Worcester.
The reason -- call it a sign of the times.
“From our point of view we don't want to be outgunned,” said firearms training officer Daniel George with the Worcester Police Department.
They train for the worst, and if it comes Worcester police want to make sure their officers are not only ready for it, but are properly equipped.
"We’ve been fortunate to not have an officer involved shooting for a long time, but we would rather err on the side of being proactive instead of reactive," George said.
Over the next year Worcester officers will be turning in their guns for new ones with more firepower.
They are going from a .40 caliber to a .45 caliber.
George said the difference is huge, especially if it comes to a gunfight.
"I’d rather have my officers on the street with equipment they need and never have to use it, rather than be in a situation where they need it and don't have it,” George said.
"We’re constantly pulling weapons off the street and a lot of them are higher caliber weapons so it's time for us to step up," said Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst.
Hazelhurst said the changeover is in keeping with the times and the threats.
"We’re stepping up to the .45 now to give our officers a better capability to stop any kind of threat," Hazelhurst said.
The Worcester’s police chief said it gives him some comfort to know he's giving his troops the best tools to stay safe.
They now become the biggest department in the state to make the switch, but there are others that have done it, or are considering it.
Some of the Boston Police Department’s special weapons officers carry .45s, but the department as a whole has not made this switch.
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