FINANCIAL BUSINESS REQUEST (FBR)
Motion/Request:
title
MOTION to transfer up-to $21,027.00 from Police Capital Vehicle Account 21020101-57510 to Police Capital New Equipment Account 21020101-57300 to allow for the purchase of new Glock 9mm Handguns for Ledyard Police Department.
end
Background:
In accordance with recent trends in law enforcement, including changes to standard issue firearms for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Connecticut State Police, the department Firearms Training staff conducted testing of handguns with the intention of transitioning to a 9mm platform. The selected handgun, the Glock G45 MOS 9mm pistol, will be equipped with an optic system commonly referred to as a “red dot” sight. The use of red dot sights has been shown to improve shooting accuracy at all distances in varying light conditions.
Factors considered in the Firearms Training Unit Proposal included:
• Handgun frame size with consideration to varying hand sizes within the department
• Shooting accuracy and marksmanship (Red dot vs fixed sights)
• Availability to use one’s peripheral vision while shooting (both eyes open)
• Reduced Ammunition Cost, 9mm vs. .45 caliber
• Officer performance under stress conditions (Bristol)
• Additional capacity per magazine (17 rounds vs. 13 rounds)
• Age of current equipment
• Credit for equipment trade in ($10,850.00 or $310 per unit)
• Available state contract pricing
The quote includes the pistols with mounted optics, holsters and weapon mounted lights.
Department Comment/Recommendation:
This proposal addresses officer safety concerns by providing our officers with current and highly effective equipment. Additionally, ammunition costs will be reduced by approximately $1000 per order, and enhanced shooting accuracy should be considered with relation to department liability.
The department recommends the transfer of funds.
Finance Director Comment/Recommendation:
Account #21020101-57510 Police Capital - Vehicle has a current, unencumbered balance of $147,865.
Account #21020101-57300 Police Capital - New Equipment has a current, unencumbered balance of $1.
Mayor Comment/Recommendation:
This was a Capital request for FY24 that was culled due to budgetary constraints. I support this motion but for the record, LPD has moved from 9mm to .40 cal. to .45ACP and now back to 9mm. Going forward, I’d like to better continuity with a chosen platform as each change has a financial impact. I have high confidence in the MOS sight platforms as well.
Meeting Action Detail:
Finance Committee Meeting 07/19/2023:
File #: 23-1843 Version: 1
Type: Financial Business Request (FBR)
Title: MOTION to transfer up-to $21,027.00 from Police Capital Vehicle Account 21020101-57510 to Police Capital New Equipment Account 21020101-57300 to allow for the purchase of new Glock 9mm Handguns for Ledyard Police Department
Moved: Ryan Seconded: Ingalls
Action: Recommend to Approve
Minute Note:
Moved by Councilor Ryan, seconded by Councilor Ingalls
Discussion: Councilor Saums stated the background information regarding the funding request for the Police Department to change from the current 45 caliber handgun to the 9mm handgun platform noted the improvements in the 9mm handgun included an optic system commonly referred to as a “red dot” and that the ammunition costs would be reduced by approximately $1, 000 per order. He addressed the importance of the red dot optic system for shooting accuracy and for liability.
Police Chief John Rich explained in accordance with recent trends in law enforcement, including changes to standard issue firearms for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Connecticut State Police, that Ledyard’s Firearms Training Staff has conducted the testing of handguns with the intention of transitioning to a 9mm platform. He explained that the selected handgun, the Glock G45 MOS 9mm pistol, would be equipped with an optic system commonly referred to as a “red dot” sight. He stated the use of red dot sights has been shown to improve shooting accuracy at all distances in varying light conditions.
Chief Rich went on to explain the following factors considered in the Firearms Training Unit Proposal included:
• Handgun frame size with consideration to varying hand sizes within the department.
• Shooting accuracy and marksmanship at all distances and in varying light conditions (Red dot vs fixed sights).
• Availability to use one’s peripheral vision while shooting (both eyes open).
• Reduced Ammunition Cost - 9mm versus 45 caliber
• Additional capacity per magazine (17 rounds vs. 13 rounds)
• Officer performance under stress conditions (Bristol).
• Age of current equipment - typically keep handguns about 8 - 10 years
• Credit for equipment trade in ($10,850.00 or $310 per unit)
• Available State Contract Pricing
Chief Rich stated as Councilor Saums mentioned that the ammunition costs would be reduced by approximately $1,000 per order, explaining that the 9mm held 17 rounds per magazine versus the current 13 rounds per magazine with the 45 caliber handgun.
Councilor Saums questioned the gun manufacturer they would be purchasing the handguns from. Chief Rich stated that they would continue to use the Glock noting they manufactured a high-quality product, noting that the red dot sights would come installed on the handgun.
Councilor Ryan noted during the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget Work Sessions the Finance Committee decided not to include funding in the Police Capital Account for the purchase of the new handguns, as requested. He went on to note that the Police Capital - New Equipment Account (#21020101-57300) only had a balance of $1; and that the requested $21,027 would be transferred from the Police Capital Vehicle Account to purchase the 9mm handguns. Therefore, he questioned how this transfer would impact the Police Department relative to their vehicle replacement schedule. Chief Rich explained that when the Police Department provides traffic services at construction sites, etc., that the Contractor pays for the Police Officer, the use of the Police Cruiser, etc. noting that the funding received for the police cruiser was allocated to their Vehicle Capital Account. He stated because they had a lot of work this year with Eversource replacing the transmission lines, Frontier Communications installing the fiber network throughout the entire town, tree work, and other projects, that the Police Department has received more revenue than they have typically received in past years. Therefore, he stated the transfer of these funds and for the next item (#2) on tonight’s agenda would not adversely impact the funding for the cruiser replacement schedule for Fiscal Year 2023/2024. He noted they were scheduled to replace one Administrative Vehicle and one Cruiser this year (fy 23/24).
Councilor Ryan questioned in preparing the annual budget whether they included estimated the revenues for the Police Vehicle Replacement received from the Police Construction work. Finance Director Matthew Bonin explained the budget included an expense item and corresponding revenue item for the Police Vehicle Replacement.
Councilor Ingalls questioned whether Police Officers would require more training relative to the red dot optic sight platform; and whether seeing the red dot would change a person’s behavior. Chief Rich explained the lead time to receive the 9mm handguns/equipment was about four-months. He stated during that time the Police Department would be obtaining new qualifications. He stated went on to explain that only the Police Officer would see the red dot, and that the person would not see the red dot. However, he stated with the Tasers the person does see the red dot and that it could change the person’s behavior.
Councilor Saums noted they had good questions; and received good answers. He stated the town had the funds to purchase the new handguns. He stated the 9mm handgun with the red dot optic sight and four more rounds was a lifesaving platform.
VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared