Tempe Police Arm Motorcycle Officers With AR-15s

TEMPE, AZ – The Tempe Police Department has put secure mounts on eight of its motorcycles, providing those officers with the ability to carry AR-15s. Previously, officers have only had access to their handguns.

The department says that the decision was made because the motorcycles or more maneuverable and can often get to scenes faster than patrol car.

Phoenix New Times, which first reported the department's move, says the motorcycle mounts are specially-designed secure mounts that cannot easily be accessed by the public.

They quote Commander Michael Pooley tells the paper that the department has received "a lot of positive feedback.

"We're always concerned about public perceptions. We don't want people to think we're carrying these around for no reason."

The department first acquired the weapons 15 years ago. Not every officer has access to them and those that do have to go through special training.

File photo via Tempe PD.