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49 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, November 29, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 5, 2003 Since You Asked When did bayonets become cop gear? Can you tell me why Central Point police are issued a bayonet? Do they plan for trench warfare and a lot of hand-to-hand combat? — Bryan S., Talent We couldn’t envision a bayonet as modern police gear, either, Bryan. Maybe we’ve been tuning in to "Third Watch" too often. It turns out the item in question — allegedly stolen and pawned by a former Central Point officer — is a military relic. Several years ago, the Central Point Police Department maintained a SWAT team outfitted with various military surplus items, including bayonets designed to mount on the end of M-16 rifles, said Central Point Police Chief Mike Sweeny. In a tactical situation, the weapon could be used as a survival-type knife or prying tool, Sweeny said. Advertisement Central Point’s SWAT team was disbanded more than a year ago for lack of training, but unused equipment remained at the police department. One of the forgotten bayonets was stolen from another officer’s gear bag, Sweeny said. Former officer Greg Krebs was charged with the theft. Don’t expect to see police wielding bayonets in Central Point. Officer’s standard gear includes a police handgun and a pocket knife, Sweeny said. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times