A decent piece in the Worcester T&G with some very sensible comments,
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091228/NEWS/912280350/1116
Monday, December 28, 2009
Animal control weapons policy affirmed
Police chief reviews need for weapons
By Scott J. Croteau TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
[email protected]
WORCESTER — The city’s two animal control officers, who were moved to the Police Department earlier this year and armed, had not fired one bullet as of late last week, according to police officials.
The animal control officers were moved to the Police Department in July, and they were given guns in August. Police officials noted there was a spike in animal calls when the animal control officers were moved under the Police Department’s control.
“The decision came to arm these officers because of the high volume of rabid animal incidents that were occurring in the city,” Sgt. Kerry F. Hazelhurst, the police spokesman, said. “These incidents create a great physical threat to the ACOs when approaching these dangerous animals.”
In the past, police officers or environmental police were called when an animal needed to be shot or tranquilized.
In a letter to the city manager last month, Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said “after careful consideration and review we have determined that arming the animal control officers is appropriate.” The review looked at the animal control officers’ duties and challenges, the chief wrote.
“I am very pleased with the transition of Animal Control to WPD,” City Manager Michael V. O’Brien said. “There is a natural alignment with public safety. I am also very pleased with the dramatic improvements in the training our animal control officers under the chief and command staff.”
Sgt. Hazelhurst said the animal control officers were trained for one month by the department’s firearm instructors, who also train police officers.
“This increased training takes a much more rigorous step further now that they will also be armed,” Mr. O’Brien said, adding that training includes the use of justified force. “These are all judgment calls made at the scenes and that is why consistent and constant training, by trained law enforcement professionals, is critical.”
The animal control officers can protect themselves if an animal attacks them or if they are threatened by anything that places them in imminent physical danger or where loss of life or severe physical injuries may occur, the sergeant said.
The animal control officers also carry Mace and expandable batons. They do not carry handcuffs and have no right to make arrests or perform any police duties, Sgt. Hazelhurst said.
“The ACOs were armed for years, up until approximately three years ago,” he said. “At the time they were working out of the code enforcement building and they had, at that time, initiated a policy that prohibited firearms to be present while in that building, thus eliminating the guns from the ACOs.”
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091228/NEWS/912280350/1116
Monday, December 28, 2009
Animal control weapons policy affirmed
Police chief reviews need for weapons
By Scott J. Croteau TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
[email protected]
WORCESTER — The city’s two animal control officers, who were moved to the Police Department earlier this year and armed, had not fired one bullet as of late last week, according to police officials.
The animal control officers were moved to the Police Department in July, and they were given guns in August. Police officials noted there was a spike in animal calls when the animal control officers were moved under the Police Department’s control.
“The decision came to arm these officers because of the high volume of rabid animal incidents that were occurring in the city,” Sgt. Kerry F. Hazelhurst, the police spokesman, said. “These incidents create a great physical threat to the ACOs when approaching these dangerous animals.”
In the past, police officers or environmental police were called when an animal needed to be shot or tranquilized.
In a letter to the city manager last month, Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said “after careful consideration and review we have determined that arming the animal control officers is appropriate.” The review looked at the animal control officers’ duties and challenges, the chief wrote.
“I am very pleased with the transition of Animal Control to WPD,” City Manager Michael V. O’Brien said. “There is a natural alignment with public safety. I am also very pleased with the dramatic improvements in the training our animal control officers under the chief and command staff.”
Sgt. Hazelhurst said the animal control officers were trained for one month by the department’s firearm instructors, who also train police officers.
“This increased training takes a much more rigorous step further now that they will also be armed,” Mr. O’Brien said, adding that training includes the use of justified force. “These are all judgment calls made at the scenes and that is why consistent and constant training, by trained law enforcement professionals, is critical.”
The animal control officers can protect themselves if an animal attacks them or if they are threatened by anything that places them in imminent physical danger or where loss of life or severe physical injuries may occur, the sergeant said.
The animal control officers also carry Mace and expandable batons. They do not carry handcuffs and have no right to make arrests or perform any police duties, Sgt. Hazelhurst said.
“The ACOs were armed for years, up until approximately three years ago,” he said. “At the time they were working out of the code enforcement building and they had, at that time, initiated a policy that prohibited firearms to be present while in that building, thus eliminating the guns from the ACOs.”
