The Woodstock Police Service’s just-announced purchase of military-style carbine rifles should be a cause of concern for city residents, a use-of-force expert says.
Kevin Walby, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Winnipeg, said the adoption of this kind of assault weapon by local services is a “key ingredient” in the militarization of police, as many local departments become more like the armed forces.
Adopting these rifles aren’t the only change but, “when you look at it as a whole, you wake up one morning and see your police force has entirely changed.”
Previously used only by the Woodstock police’s containment team, the newly purchased Colt C8 patrol carbine rifled will now be used by eight of the department’s regular-duty officers, Woodstock Insp. Marci Shelton said.
“With the increase in gun violence, including areas around us, we felt we needed to be prepared and be proactive and educate and equip our officers with the best equipment we can,” she said.
Walby said his research has shown the use of tactical or SWAT teams has grown across the country, even for regular situations such as traffic control and mental heath, and more departments are ordering military style weapons and armoured cars.
Citizens should be worried they don’t have enough say in policing. More community forums and public consultation is needed before police make major changes such as adopting military-style rifles, he said.
Woodstock isn’t alone in the move to high-powered carbine rifles.
Police services in cities such as Hamilton, St. Thomas, Toronto and Calgary have recently added similar rifles to their arsenals.