News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Senate Approves Protective Measure for Police Officers

For Immediate Release: March 20,1998 Contact: Senator Jerry Ward, 465-4940.

Juneau – The Senate Friday unanimously passed legislation to protect law enforcement officers who use non-lethal projectiles from legal action when acting within their training and operational guidelines.

Senator Jerry Ward (R-Anchorage/Kenai), sponsor of Senate Bill 309, said non-lethal projectiles, including rubber bullets and bean bag rounds, are an accepted method of rendering certain suspects harmless without doing long-term or permanent injury. Non-lethal projectiles are designed to serve as far reaching batons which do not require the officer to get too close to a person who might want to harm themselves or others.

"Accidents do happen," said Ward. "When an officer uses a non-lethal projectile, there is a slight chance that a serious injury may occur. If this should happen, current law does not protect law enforcement officers or their families from legal action. I introduced this legislation to protect law enforcement officers and continue to allow police departments the full range of tools needed to protect the citizens of Alaska."

"Our officers, acting within guidelines in the line of duty, should not have to be concerned about whether their action to do their job might subject them to court battles. I hope this legislation allows our police officers to feel more secure in doing their job," Ward said.

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= Jerry Ward, 41 K