Firearm Replacement Program

Replacement of department issued Glock 22 Gen 4 .40 caliber handguns with Glock 17 and Glock 19 Gen 5 9mm caliber handguns.

Various factors justify this proposal. First, we have purchased a small number of 9mm pistols for officers who have struggled with the Glock 22 and have noted a measurable improvement in their skill level. The reason is the 9mm is a lighter weight weapon and generates far less recoil, allowing for better control. This reduced recoil allows the shooter to achieve better speed and accuracy in followup shots. Next, 9mm ammunition is considerably less expensive than .40 caliber ammunition, creating an annual cost saving based on the quantity of ammunition used in training and qualification. Finally, we propose to incorporate a red dot sighting system with these new weapons. Red dot sights are becoming commonplace on duty weapons and increase the ease of use and accuracy for the shooter. This is important for shooters who are less comfortable with firearms. Our current handguns are not compatible with red dot sights.