Keeping Police Weapons Secure
News-RegisterWheeling Police Chief Robert Matheny has been on the job less than a month - and already he has a serious problem with which to deal. It involves the M-16 assault rifle stolen from an off-duty police officer's vehicle. The officer had the gun in his private vehicle because he is a member of the department's SWAT team, subject to emergency calls in which delays in obtaining equipment can be dangerous.
West Virginia State Police are investigating the theft. We hope they are able to recover the weapon quickly. The M-16 is a military-style gun with enormous firepower.
In the meantime, Matheny will be involved in his own investigations. One will involve how the rifle was stolen. The other will concern policies concerning weapons used and carried by police officers.
As the chief pointed out to our reporter, "some things can't be prevented." Along with state police, Matheny will be looking into the matter. One consideration for him will be whether weapons policies need to be changed.
It may well be that Matheny needs to alter policies. He told our reporter that in some respects, those involving storage of weapons by off-duty officers are "ambiguous." Though he did not explain, ambiguity can be a dangerous thing when deadly weapons are involved.
We join Matheny in hoping fervently that the M-16 is recovered quickly. Anyone with information about it can - and should - call the Wheeling Police Department at 304-234-3781 or the Wheeling Detachment of the West Virginia State Police at 304-238-1100.
At the same time, we urge the chief to eliminate any ambiguities in weapons policies and to close any loopholes in order to avoid a similar situation in the future.
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WVCD35
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11-10-09 7:36 AM
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Wondering, Do you know anything about the 5.56mm round?
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WVCD35
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11-10-09 7:25 AM
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Walksabout, What line of work are you in? I would love to meet you, you seem to have all of the answers in life! Maybe you should be president. NOBODY is perfect, this was a lapse of judgement on the officer nonetheless, However our LE officers are what help to keep this great nation of ours safe.
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walksabout
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11-08-09 10:48 PM
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it looks like they really don't have a real swat team either, at least not one with procedural manuals.
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walksabout
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11-08-09 10:46 PM
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I would resign and wear a sweat shirt with bold print " Really Dumb "
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walksabout
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11-08-09 10:45 PM
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this cop showed poor judgement and loose regard for public safety. suspension without pay for 27 years would be light disciplinary action.
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walksabout
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11-08-09 10:42 PM
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has nobody in any police department ever been in the military or do you apply go to school put on a uniform and go to the nearest doughnut shop ? You don't lose or misplace weapons. If you do, there is call in and lockdown of all unit members while a search takes place. Somebody goes to jail, somebody is kicked out. nothing less should apply to law enforcement.
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ProudAmerican
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11-07-09 12:43 PM
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Ellis I applaud your comments, like you I was in the military and did time in SE Asia, but when we came back, not only did all firearms have to be accounted for but so did all ammo. So whats the problem in WHP not supplying a secure place of storage? They sure can spend money for cars they don't use?
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EllisWyatt
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11-07-09 10:02 AM
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Keep "hoping" for a positive outcome. Just like Obama's "Hope & Change" it will get you nowhere.
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Wondering
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11-07-09 7:00 AM
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That depends on what you call firepower. The M-16 has less impact than most rifles used for deer hunting. It can just shoot faster. Still, keeping an M-16 in your pickup truck seems like a bad idea. Apparently Wheeling/Ohio County doesn't have a SWAT vehicle.
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