Hamilton police want military-style C8 rifles for front-line officers

The Hamilton Police Service wants to put 26 military-style carbine assault rifles in the hands of front-line officers.

A report going to the Hamilton Police Services Board Thursday suggests more than two dozen of the "accurate, rugged and reliable" rifles be added to the service's arsenal at a cost of$95,562.23.

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Chief Eric Girt citeda business case from police command that called for the guns in response to "an increase of incidents with active shooters in Canada [and]the need for equipment that can meet the increased threat level was necessary."

Fifteenof the high-poweredrifles are already being used by members of the service's Emergency Response Unit, but the service saysHamilton police arethe only major force in Ontario that does not offer patrolofficers a carbine rifle.

Rifle can stop criminals wearing body armour

The service alsorefers to research that "proves that carbine ammunition is a superior choice to pistol and shotgun ammunition" because it can be fired more accurately over long distances and be used to stop criminals wearing body armour.

The rifle is made by Colt Canada in Kitchener, Ont. and weighs about three kilograms unloaded. It's capable of firing rounds with a muzzle velocity of 868 metres per second and is accurate up to 400 metres.

The servicenotes the C8 carbine is used by police across the province and by the Canadian military.

Alex Payne, a spokesperson for the firearms manufacturer, said therifle is available in either fully or semi-automatic, but that the "majority" of theirlaw enforcement customers buy the semi-automatic version. Each carbine comes equipped with a standard 30-round magazine and retails for roughly $2,000, he added.

WatchCBC's John Lancaster fire a C8 rifle:

Hamilton police were involved in 94 incidents last year where a suspect was carrying or had access to a weapon, according to the service's Use of Force Statistical Report 18 of those incidents involved a firearm, replica or toy gun.

The projected price tagfor thefirst year of the programcovers the cost of the carbines, along with with related equipment and trainingfor 48 officers over the course of four weeks.

That training would be provided to 16 officers from each divisionselected by unit commanders based on criteria includingprevious military or tactical unit experience, Use of Force qualificationsand if they have"demonstrated above average competency and confidence in weapons handling and judgment."

Appropriate technology and training

Following the training, the service plans to take 12 months to evaluate the program and determine where in the city the rifles should be assigned.

"The goal of this program is to ensure that our uniform frontline members are equipped with the appropriate technology and training to continue to address public and officer safety in resolving critical and high risk incidents," reads the recommendation.