The Indianapolis Star is reporting that Indianapolis PD will arm their officers now with M-16 rifles that have laid in storage since last year:
Longer-range rifles that the Indianapolis Police Department has had in storage since last year will be in officers’ hands possibly by November, department officials said Thursday.
The announcement follows criticism from IPD officers that they regularly face criminals who have more firepower, although officials say their announcement was not a response to those complaints.
The criticism increased after IPD Patrolman Timothy “Jake” Laird was gunned down Aug. 18 by a Southside man firing an SKS-style assault weapon from more than 150 yards away.
Indianapolis Police Chief Jerry Barker said Thursday that the 218 rifles, known as M-16s, will be given to officers as the weapons are modified and as officers are trained to use them. He said training would occur at a range at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, a military base about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis.
About time….