Drizzt
April 10, 2003, 04:52 PM
Times Colonist (Victoria)
April 10, 2003 Thursday Final Edition
SECTION: Capital Region; Pg. B2
LENGTH: 292 words
HEADLINE: Missing police guns turn up at office of Crimestoppers
SOURCE: Times Colonist
BYLINE: Louise Dickson
BODY:
Several missing Victoria police revolvers have been found in the local Crimestoppers office.
Victoria Police Chief Paul Battershill said the actors were using real guns to recreate their crime scenes.
"Why would they use real guns? Why wouldn't they use replicas?" an incredulous Battershill asked at his weekly press conference, indicating his feelings on the matter.
Victoria police have been trying to track down about 20 missing police revolvers after one was found in the hands of a Vancouver gang member in November. Even before the loaded revolver was recovered in Vancouver, Battershill knew he had inherited a problem with firearms dating back two decades.
He has assigned two senior officers to investigate the missing firearms. Their investigation should be complete in about six months. The investigators have leads on some of the missing guns. Some have been found mounted on retirement plaques.
"There are no huge surprises. We're not finding hundreds of guns missing. There are still about a dozen revolvers unaccounted for," said the chief.
Vancouver police are continuing to investigate how the loaded Victoria police revolver ended up in the hands of a gang member.
In the meantime, Battershill has tightened security in the property supplies and store areas. Only the staff who work in those areas are allowed entry.
"I think given the amount of resources we're applying to this we'll end up with a pretty tight system," said the chief.
The inventory of firearms is an issue in other police departments and probably the military, said the chief. He has talked to other departments who want to know how Victoria police are handling the issue.
"They'll probably want to look at our recommendations," said Battershill.
April 10, 2003 Thursday Final Edition
SECTION: Capital Region; Pg. B2
LENGTH: 292 words
HEADLINE: Missing police guns turn up at office of Crimestoppers
SOURCE: Times Colonist
BYLINE: Louise Dickson
BODY:
Several missing Victoria police revolvers have been found in the local Crimestoppers office.
Victoria Police Chief Paul Battershill said the actors were using real guns to recreate their crime scenes.
"Why would they use real guns? Why wouldn't they use replicas?" an incredulous Battershill asked at his weekly press conference, indicating his feelings on the matter.
Victoria police have been trying to track down about 20 missing police revolvers after one was found in the hands of a Vancouver gang member in November. Even before the loaded revolver was recovered in Vancouver, Battershill knew he had inherited a problem with firearms dating back two decades.
He has assigned two senior officers to investigate the missing firearms. Their investigation should be complete in about six months. The investigators have leads on some of the missing guns. Some have been found mounted on retirement plaques.
"There are no huge surprises. We're not finding hundreds of guns missing. There are still about a dozen revolvers unaccounted for," said the chief.
Vancouver police are continuing to investigate how the loaded Victoria police revolver ended up in the hands of a gang member.
In the meantime, Battershill has tightened security in the property supplies and store areas. Only the staff who work in those areas are allowed entry.
"I think given the amount of resources we're applying to this we'll end up with a pretty tight system," said the chief.
The inventory of firearms is an issue in other police departments and probably the military, said the chief. He has talked to other departments who want to know how Victoria police are handling the issue.
"They'll probably want to look at our recommendations," said Battershill.