Police Chief John Foster says he is just making sure that his officers are properly equipped and enhance their ability to protect the public. Chief Foster pointed to the recent incident at Virginia Tech where the police department there came under scrutiny for not being prepared.
Foster said the rifles have not been issued and before they are each officer will have to undergo special training to use them. Foster said right now officers are issued 12 gauge shotguns and they cannot be safely used in a densely populated area. According to Foster other agencies in the area have taken steps to equip their department with the rifles.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/2/217511