Police buy protective gloves

WAKEFIELD -- The Police Department has purchased 40 pairs of black protective gloves.

The $1,200 cost was paid for through donations by several businesses.

The gloves can be used by officers in handling prisoners, or for other circumstances such as when they come into contact with potentially hazardous materials, according to Lieutenant John McKay, the department's executive officer.

He said the decision to purchase the gloves was prompted by an incident about two months ago when a Wakefield police officer discovered a needle in the pocket of a man he was arresting on drug charges.

The new gloves are resistant to knife and needle cuts.

JOHN LAIDLER