By: Lydia Crawley
The City of Parsons Police Department received the shotguns ordered through a requisition through the yearly Harman Fund. Parsons Police Chief Kevin Keplinger gave a report to the Parsons City Council during their Sept. 1 meeting.
“In the last two weeks, we received the shotguns we requested through the Harman Fund,” Keplinger said.
Previously, the department had one Remington 870 shotgun that was shared between the units. However, that meant that most of the time none of the officers had the weapon available, Keplinger said.
“We were kind of able to tag team. The Hardy County Sheriff’s Department had ordered a block of Beretta A300 Patrol Shotguns,” Keplinger said. “So we added two to the end of that order and go a pretty good price break on them.”
Since the weapons arrived, Keplinger said the officers have put about 150 rounds through each.
“Just incredible. Really, really nice. Just really impressed by them,” Keplinger said.
As for the future of the Remington 870 shotgun, Keplinger said he intends for it to stay in service, but has plans to augment it. He has ordered a blaze orange butt stock and hand grip and it will be converted to a less lethal platform.
“That is something we do not have or did not have,” Keplinger said.
Keplinger said he has also ordered bean bag rounds. He said that he was shot by the rounds at Moundsville during a mock riot and found them to be highly effective.
“They will definitely get your attention,” Keplinger said.
