Pubdate: Mon, 03 Nov 2003
Source: Montgomery Advertiser (AL)
Copyright: 2003sThe Advertiser Co.
Contact:  http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1088
Author: Neil Probst

TROOPERS WELCOME FIREPOWER

Montgomery-based state troopers don't know how many of 130 new trooper 
rifles they'll get, but they say the need is there for more weapons to 
fight increasingly challenging criminals.

Lt. Robert Goodner, commander of the troopers' Montgomery district, which 
includes Montgomery, Lowndes, Elmore, Autauga and Chilton counties, said 
criminals often have superior weapons and even wear body armor at times.

"There's always been that inherent risk in what we're doing. ... Now that 
risk is even greater," said Goodner.

The concern with the evolution of criminals is on the minds of all troopers 
and was evidenced in a recent question that Col. Mike Coppage, the 
Department of Public Safety director, posed to the troopers he commands.

When Coppage asked the troopers what they needed most, he said they told 
him "some kind of long gun."

Last month, Gov. Bob Riley awarded DPS a $92,576 grant for new weapons. 
Within a year, at least 130 troopers statewide should be able to carry a 
rifle in addition to a shotgun and a pistol.

"They (troopers) have the potential to be called to support any type of 
local agency," said Coppage, responding to a question about how often 
troopers, whose main job is to patrol, find themselves in situations where 
a rifle might be a necessary defense.

Coppage said decisions about which troopers will get rifles haven't been 
made yet, but priority would be given to officers in rural areas.

"The potential is there every day. ... We have an obligation to properly 
equip our officers," Coppage said.

Goodner, the Montgomery headquarters commander, said the area around 
Montgomery has criminal activity in which weapons and drugs go hand-in-hand.

"There have been in the local area illegal narcotics trafficking, where the 
criminal element had automatic weapons," he said.

Riley awarded the weapons grant from funds made available through a U.S. 
Department of Justice program.

"State troopers risk their lives every day to protect the people of 
Alabama," Riley said.

Coppage emphasized that while troopers carry Glock .40-caliber 
semiautomatic pistols and shotguns, they may need rifles in situations in 
which they confront a sniper who is firing a weapon from a great distance.

Or, Coppage said, troopers might back up a local sheriff's department on a 
domestic violence call where the aggressor has a high-powered rifle such as 
an SKS or AK-47, and troopers need to take up positions a safe distance 
away from the shooter.

"There are certain situations where rifles are more suitable," he said.

DPS officials also say the rifles will help protect officers carrying out 
homeland security responsibilities and those conducting raids of illegal 
methamphetamine labs.

The rifles also will provide extra security for troopers who patrol 
roadways alone.

Martha Earnhardt, a trooper spokeswoman, said about 330 troopers patrol 
Alabama roadways and about 30 troopers work out of the post in Montgomery.

Coppage said the Department of Public Safety has not yet determined which 
type of rifles will be purchased.

He said DPS officials will begin by looking at the types of rifles 
available from manufacturers and then put the purchase up for bid.

Coppage said troopers are facing increasingly more dangerous criminals who 
themselves are armed with rifles.

"It's just unfortunately a trend ... (and) long guns are very cheap, very 
plentiful," said Coppage, who was Birmingham's police chief for five years 
before taking the DPS director post.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart