Wingham police will now be armed with rifles in the event of a high risk situation.
A request to shift funds that would typically go into the force's reserves was approved by North Huron Council for the purchase of six carbine assault rifles.
Chief Tim Poole says many of the criminals they deal with are becoming better armed.
"The standoff we had a few months ago was an eye opener," says Poole. "We're trying to do containment with a pistol and the guy we are trying to contain was armed with an AR-15 (rifle)."
During that fall standoff in Wingham, Poole said they had to control the situation while the OPP emergency response team is dispatched from London. That can take almost an hour and Poole says if local police are better equipped it will help in their containment efforts.
"It's for our safety and the protection of the public," he says.
The cost of the six rifles is $10,000 and that will come out of the Wingham Police Service's regular budget. It will come out of reserves typically used to buy equipment or vehicles.
