7.1. SR 10-17-2005
Item 7.1.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor and City Council
DATE:
Pat Klaers, City AdminMra~r
October 17, 2005 ~
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Consider Police Department Issued Weapons Policy and
Expenditure
Please review the attached memos from Chief of Police Jeff Beahen for the details,
background, and rationale for this request.
Over the past few months, the Finance and Administrative Services Director, Chief of
Police, and I have had a conversation or two regarding the current Police Department
weapons policy. I believe that we all agree that a change is needed and that we should have a
Police Department weapons policy that requires the same weapon for all sworn officers (or
some variation depending upon the decision of the Chief of Police). This is a significant city
improvement, not only from an insurance/liability point of view, but also from a public
safety and police officer safety point of view. This would also be a city expenditure versus an
employee expenditure. To change the policy would initially cost the city about $1,000 per
police officer and would, accordingly, cost about $27,000. In future years the cost would be a
relatively small expenditure. I strongly support getting the best, most employee endorsed
weapon available, and this is the Kimber pistol.
I'm not 100 % sure of the current status of our Council contingency fund, but I believe that
we are in pretty good condition. Additionally, I think that revenues are exceeding the
projections in the budget while expenditures are at or below the total budget; and therefore,
the City Council should be able to take this expenditure out of the city general fund; either
out of the contingency fund or by way of a budget amendment. If necessary, we also have
undesignated funds available in the equipment reserve.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council endorse the department issued weapons policy and
authorize the expenditures from the Council contingency fund for purchasing the Kimber
pistol.
s: \ Council\Pat\200S \ WeaponsPolicy.doc
~
Ela~
River
Police Department
MEMORANDUM
FROM:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
Jeffrey A. Beahen, Chief of Police
October 12, 2005
TO:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Department Issued Weapons
This is a follow-up to a conversation we had last week concerning my recent request to purchase
department issued weapons for all officers.
In short, we discussed if the choice made between the Kimber and the Springfield XD was made
primarily based on economics, and as such, did this potentially prevent myself and others from
making the choice we wanted.
The answer in brief is yes. The Kimber is a far superior weapon to the Springfield, not so much in
terms of accuracy and reliability, but in terms of construction and quality. This does not mean that I
am not comfortable with the Springfield, but rather, given a choice-I would, if funding is available,
opt for the more expensive Kimber.
The rationale for this is very simple. The Springfield XD is an extruded plastic and alloy weapon
made in Croatia. They are designed as inexpensive weapons for departments to issue, are reliable, but
have a fairly short life time of perhaps 5-7 years.
The Kimber is an American made weapon, milled from steel, with no plastic components and built
to last 15-20 years with proper care.
This is a very simplistic view of a significant issue, as it is difficult to put a price on quality. Will both
weapons function effectively as a duty sidearm for our department? Beyond any shadow of a doubt.
Is one weapon of significandy higher quality than the other? No doubt, the Kimber is an exceedingly
higher quality weapon.
The question then remains in the hands of the council and the availability of funding, in determining
which of the two weapons we should purchase, if allowed by the council, for issuance as a duty
sidearm.
As stated in my previous memo, the cost for complete issuance of the Springfield XD is $16,764.
The cost for the Kimber is $26,987.20.
I will be present at the council meeting to discuss this issue with the council and answer any
questions that you may have.
E~
River
Police Department
MEMORANDUM
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
Jeffrey A. Beahen, Chief of Police
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
9-26-05
Department Issued Weapons
Introduction:
The police department currently allows officers to purchase and Carry their own, individually
owned duty sidearm. Our department is one of the few remaining departments who allow
this practice to continue. All other agencies purchase, maintain and issue a same style/brand
weapon to all officers. The primary rationale behind this is the reduction of departmental
liability when a shooting involving an officer occurs. I am proposing the purchase of de-
partmental weapons for all employees, and prohibition of personally owned weapons with
the exception of those carried by officers while off-duty.
Problem Identification:
Our department currently allows officers to purchase the weapon of their choice for duty
carry, allowing a wide variety of gun choices and calibers. Currently of the twenty-eight offi-
cers the following weapons are carried:
Wilson Combat Arms .45 caliber, single actiQJ:l
Berretta 96F, .40 caliber, double action
Berretta 96 Centurion, .40 caliber, double action
Sig Arms P226, .40 caliber, double action
Sig Arms 229, .40 caiber, double action
H&IZUSP. 9mm. double action
H & K USP, .40 caliber, double action
Glock 21, ,45 caliber, safe action
Glock 22, .40 caliber, safe action
Glock 23, .40 caliber, safe action
6-officers
2-officers
3-officers
2-officers
i-officer
2-officers
i-officer
3-officers
4-officers
4-officers
Single action, is a pistol that is carried cocked and locked, with a grip safety and manual
safety that must be engaged before the weapon can be fire. Double action is carried without
a safety engaged although it requires a longer double action trigger pull before the weapon
will fIre. Safe action is a cocked and locked pistol that is carried with an internal fIring pin
and a trigger safety that must be engaged prior to the weapon being fIred.
There are several primary issues of potential liability that present themselves with what we
currendy carry. They are:
1) The difference between the three primary action systems (Single, double and
safe) are signifIcant. It can be compared to driving a vehicle with an automatic
transmission and one with a manual transmission. The way they are both oper-
ated and trained on is vasdy different. One single method of training will not
work with all offIcers.
2) OffIcers who would happen to have to use another offIcer's weapon, possibly in
an emergency situation would be unfamiliar with the other offIcer's weapon, as
we do not cross train offIcers on the other brands or systems.
3) Training has to be modifIed or adapted to each style of weapon.
4) Each model carries either a different caliber of atntnunition, or the carrying ca-
pacity of the magazine if vasdy different. Some weapons only carry seven rounds
in a magazine; some carry as many as fIfteen rounds.
5) Magazines are not interchangeable between weapons. Two offIcers working with
each other could not share atntnunition, as their weapons may not be the same
caliber, style or magazine make.
6) The difference between the kinetics and operational properties of a 9tntn bullet,
and a .45 caliber round are extreme.
7) We have offIcers trained to maintain and repair fIve different brands of weapons,
with multiple models and spare parts for each being maintained in our inventory.
This is expensive and time consuming.
8) We don't own the weapon-the offIcer does. This is the largest concern. Where
was it bought? How old is it? Is it well maintained? Has it been altered? It is the
only piece of personally owned equipment the offIcer is allowed to carry-and the
one piece of equipment that has the largest potential liability associated with it.
I have done extensive research of the liability aspects of personally owned weapons, and
without fail, all research as well as related court decisions involving offIcer involved shoot-
ings, clearly illustrates that issuing a departmental weapon to all offIcers, offers the greatest
reduction in liability, and it is the standard by which almost all departments nationwide oper-
ate.
The reduction of liability occurs through the following means:
1) The department purchases the weapons new, they know they are in factory con-
dition and meet all departmental specifIcations.
2) Training for all offIcers can be conducted the same, utilizing course and training
materials that are the same for all offIcers, as all weapons function alike. There is
one brand, one model and one caliber for all.
3) Atntnunition standards can be more easily maintained as only one caliber of am-
munition is purchased and issued to all offIcers.
4) Ammunition and spare magazines are interchangeable and can be shared
amongst all officers.
5) Only one certified armorer is required to maintain all weapons. Instead of a wide
and expensive variety of parts on hand for a multitude of weapons, only a small
supply of parts for one brand would be required.
6) All weapons would have a high capacity magazine-insuring that each officer
would have an adequate number of rounds on hand at all times.
Problem Resolution:
The resolution is readily apparent, but not as easy as it may appear. Departmental issued
weapons being the solution, the next phase of the process would be to find a weapon, in-
cluding the operating system and caliber that would work for all officers on the force.
To achieve this goal, the department followed the same process that the Tacoma Washing-
ton Department used in selecting a new weapon. Cross sections of officers were selected
from within our department to take part in the testing process. These including both male
and females, large and small handed officers, skilled marksman and unskilled alike.
Through extensive research and contacts, the following weapons were brought in for test
and evaluation:
Kimber full size, .45, single action
Kimber Compact. .45, single action
Glock 21, .45. safe action
Glock 36, .45 safe action
H & K USP, .45, double action
Berretta Storm, .40, safe action
Sig Sauer P220, .45, double action
In addition we also tested the Springfield XD .40, safe action and the Walther .40 safe action
pistols. These came in late in the testing process.
The weapons were rated by the officers for:
Balance, weight, perceived recoil, trigger pull, operation of controls, ability to field strip and
clean, durability, reloading and reliability.
Once testing was complete, the Kimber came out rated number one, scoring 9 out of 10
points. The Glock 36 came out last, scoring a 5.75. Tacoma PD had the same results in their
testing process.
Solution:
Although the Kimber tested number one, it is a very expensive weapon. It would cost almost
$1,000 an officer to issue this weapon. I find this to be cost prohibitive. A second choice
would be the Springfield XD in .40 caliber. The cost to issue this weapon would be less than
$600 per officer. Although the test results indicate that the Kimber was by far the number
one choice, additional testing with the XD have shown it to be an equal as far as ease in op-
eration, reliability and accuracy. I am confident that this is a perfect fit for our officers.
The XD also offers a new feature that other safe action pistols do not have. Although it has
the trigger safety, it also incorporates a grip safety and a visible internal firing pin for two
added functions to enhance the operation of the safe action. It will provide us with an inex-
pensive issue weapon, in a model that with fit the hand of all officers, in a single caliber and
with one like operating system, that with gready reduce the liability concerns of our depart-
ment.
I recommend, that if funding allow, we go forward with this purchase now. The cost to pur-
chase the weapons and associated leather gear is $16,764. See attached bids and other docu-
mentation of further details.
f
ERPD WEAPONS TESTING
(LEGEND OF TERMS)
BALANCE: How does the loaded weapon feel in your hand? Does it sit low with the
weight in the palm,ofthe shooting hand? Is the weapon naturally pointable? Does it
come up natural on target when firing?
WEIGHT: Loaded and unloaded weight of the weapon
PERCEIVED RECOIL: When firing the weapon, how heavy do you perceive the
recoil is? Is it manageable? Can you get back on target for a second shot?
SIGHTS: Any sights we purchase will probably be the three-dot night sights. Whatever
sights are on the test weapon should be rated more on how the sight lines up when
bringing the gun up in a natural pointing position. How durable is the sight system?
TRIGGER: ]s the trigger pull too heavy? Too light? Is there a lot of take-up in the
trigger? With the size of weapon you are firing, are you able to have a proper grip and
have your trigger finger engage the trigger properly?
OPERATION OF CONTROLS: ~e you able to operate the controls on the weapon
without shifting your grip considera~ly? Can you reach the magazine release? Can you
reach the slide-stop? Remember thel'slide-stop is for locking the slide open, not releasing
the slide. Releasing the slide should be accomplished by gripping the serrations on the
back of the slide and pulling the slid~ to the rear, then letting the slide go.
FIELD STRIPPING: A weapon sijould be fairly easy to field strip and reassemble. It
should be straight forward and easy 10 clean and maintain.
DURABILITY: The weapon should be durable and easy to operate. The finish shoul<i
protect the weapon and be durable. ~t should require minimal repair and service. You
should also consider the ease of repl~cement of parts if the weapon becomes inoperable.
Does the weapon have drop-in parts pr do they require hand fining?
I
I
RELOADING: Ease of reloads. D~es the empty magazine freely fall from the
magazine well of the pistol or are yo~ required to assist in ejecting the magazine. Does
the magazine well allow you to easil~ reload with a fresh magazine?
RELIABILITY: This is one of the lmost important features of a service weapon. We
are assuming that all weapons tested! are up to the standard of accuracy we require, but
we do not assume that all weapons are 100% reliable. Do you have any malfunctions of
any kind? Are they related to the w~apon? Ammunition? Magazine? Shooter error? ]s
the weapon clean or dirty? I
I
I
OVERALL SCORE: Looking at each weapon as a whole package, how would you rate
it? Give it a number (1 to 10) and give it aYes or No signifying whether you would be
comfortable carrying this weapon. Also consider whether the necessary accessories are
currently available for this weapon (i.e. holsters, duty and plain clothes, etc)
The Chiefhas specifically chosen you to be a part of the weapon selection process for
several reasons. You all represent different areas of the department, including
administration, patrol, and investigations. You represent different sizes and sexes of
officers. Most importantly He feels you have the ability to approach this process in an
objective manner, leaving your personal preferences and biases at the door.
CC: Rolfe, Erickson, Block, Blauert, Vita, Balabon, Gacke, Besser.
Test Protocol:
Each Officer should fire approximately 42 rounds through each weapon tested. The
firing should be from varying distances and with both strong and weak hand positions.
The weapons should be periodically cleaned and lubricated if needed.
09/13/2005 13:25 3098524750
OFFICE DEPOT #513
PAGE 01/02
Quotation Date q S.~ PT: ~..5
Customer Number_
Phone Number. 'lro.3 - 63S-/~Q/
Person Contacted _ &€.E~
reNtE F ~EP'F'eE'j J3EA flEN '" Prices Effective For 30 .l.?~
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We thank you for your inquiry for: FA)<; '7 b 3 - . b3. S- -./ c;? 50
Quantit Oeserl lion Unit Price
QUOTATION
Ray O'Herron co..~ Inc.
PATRICK rlOEN
District Manager
Office: 612~a6a-3297
Fax: 651-462-5543
Call: 612.868-3297
District Offlca
1076 234th Ave. NE
Stacy, MN SS019
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09/13/2005 13:25 3098624760
OFFICE DEPOT #513
PAGE 02/02
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Quanti Descri tion Unit Price
QUOTATION
Ray O'Herron COliC Inc.
PATRICK MOEN
District Manager
Office: 612-868-3297
Fax: 651-462H5543
Cell: 612-868-3291
fIIf
District Office
7018 234th Ave. NE
Stacy, MN 55079
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Phone Number !lCa3 - f,.3S-1 doJ
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SeFi.16 05 12: OOp
Frazer's
763-427-1350
p.2
SECURITY AND POLICE EQUIPMENT
FFL #3-41-003-01-7D-00302
14419 -7TH Avenue NW
Andover, MN 55304-2842
763-422-6741 Fax: 763-427-1350
Orders Only: 800-352-7809
SOLD TO:
~Q~;>"
FET OUT QUOTE
.--
SHIPPED TO:
Name:
City of Elk River
Company Name:
Police Department
Address:
13077 Orono Parkway
Address:
Name:
Jeffrey A Beahen, Chief ofPoJice
Company Name:
Same as SOLD TO:
Address:
Address:
City, State, Zip
Elk River
City, State, Zip
MN55330-
INVOICE NUMBER INVOICE DATE
P.O. NUMBER
TERMS
SALES PERSON
QUOTE - ONLY 9/16/2005
SPG QUOTE
Net 10 Days
John
SHIPPED VIA
Delivery
Quantity Description Unit Price Amount
34 SPG. XD40 4" WINS 3 Mags $469.99 $15,979.66
34 SPG. XD40 5" WINS 3 Mags. $489.99 $16,659.66
5 XD40SC WINS "This is the Sub Compact not certain on amount 5 or 50 all same price" $469.99 $2,349.95
34 XD45G 5" WINS 3 mags $479.99 $16,319.66
34 XD45G 4" WINS 3 mags $460.99 $15,673.66
This quote in on all the variation of the XD we spoke about, and that you are testing
The quote is valid for 45 days fTom date of issue, and subject to manufacturer's
availability and price change. This, as the quote on Kimbers being a special order
may require a deposit. All pricing quoted is FOB manufacture, although we will
make delivery to Police Dept. at no charge. Only freight charge will be what is charged
to Security & Police Equipment.
~_. /1 "". '0['" n FFl 1r T-T I I-I I I I-I I I-I I I-I I I I I 1
~-~""L e__ I'..,,(!lec~{ . -'''i" L....-.iJ _1'1'
Payment Method: THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSiNESS SUBTOTAL ,
DEALERS, PLEASE INSTRUCT YOUR CUSTOMERS AS FOLLOWS: FREIGHT FOB
"ALL FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WHEN HANDLED IMPROPERLY" Tax Exempt
"CLEAN AND VISUALLY INSPECT ALL FIREARMS BEFORE FIRTNG"
"SECURITY AND POLICE EQUIPMENT HAS NO TESTING FACILITY & ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THEIR
SAFE FUNCTIONING" TOTAL f
IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO USE PROPER SAFETY IN HANDLING AND USE OF ALL FIREARMS - LETS ALL
USE OUR HEADS AND .....BE CAREFUL "'....
Sep 14 05 02:37a
Frazer's
763-427-1350
p.2
SECURITY AND POLICE EQUIPMENT
FFL #3-41-oo3-01-7D-00302
14419 - 7TI1 Avenue NW
Andover, MN 55304.2842
763-422-6741 Fax: 763-427-1350
Orders Only: 800-352-7809
SOLD TO:
~~961
PET OUT QUOTE
-
9/1/2005
P.O. NUMBER
Kimber Quote
SHIPPED TO:
Name:
Jeffre A. Beahen, Chief of Police
Company Name:
As Sold To
Address:
Address:
Cit)., Stale, Zip
TERMS SALESPERSON SHIPPED VIA
Net 10 Days John Delivery
Name:
City of Elk River
ompany Name:
olice Department
Address:
13077 Orono Parkwa
Address:
13077 Orono Parkway
City, State, Zip
Elk River M N S 5 3 3 0 - 0 0 0 0
INVOICE NUMBER
Quote - only
INVOICE DATE
Quantity Description Unit Price Amount
12 Kimber Item # 3300070 Pro-Carty II 45 ACP Pistols (OPTION #1) $800.00 $9,600.00
Above with Ambidextrous safety, night sites, and mag well
12 Same as above Kimber BUT Pro Tactical @ $39.00 each additional charge, but $839.00 $10,068.00
this already has all of the above PLUS front strap checkering, and they plan on
getting you into the Tac Mags which are an outstanding mag and much better then
standard They run $18.75 each. (Retail on this mag is $27.95) (OPTION #2)
23 Kimber Item # 3300068 (Night sights and front strap checkering are standard on this pistol $860.00 $19,780.00
and added would be mag well and ambidextrous safety
1 Kimber Item # 3200086 equipped as above plus tactical light rail $946.00 $946.00
Note: any additional mags will be priced at $18.75 each, at this time Kimber is in a Transition on
Poliee firearms and I will not know until Friday 9.16104 if they will collie with 3 or I magazine.
Kimberrcquires on the order a copy of your PO (yIc furnish) a FET Exemption certificate,
aJld your DUTY AMMO so they can test each pisrol before ir leaves the facrory
r
. . ,j 1"1 I H I I 1..1 I H 1 H I I I I I
.. . ,,--..
Payment Method: THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS SUBTOTAL $40,394.00
DEALERS, PLEASE INSTRUCT YOUR CUSTOMERS AS FOLLOWS: FREIGHT
"ALL FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WI-IEN I-IANDLED IMPROPERL Y" Tax Exempt
"CLEAN AND VISUALL Y INSPECT ALL FIREARMS BEFORE FIRING"
"SECURITY AND POLlCE EQUIPMENT HAS NO TESTING FACILITY & ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR THEIR
SAFE FUNCTIONING" TOTAL $40,394.00
IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO USE PROPER SAFETY IN HANDLING AND USE OF ALL FIREARMS - LETS ALL
USE OUR HEADS AND **. '*BE CAREFUL' ....
y ~
I SALES QUOTE I
STREICHER'S
10911 W HWY 55
MINNEAPOLIS MN, 55441
Phone: 763-546-1155
Fax: 763-546-6776
Sales Quote Number: Q161494
Sales Quote Date: 03/22/05
Page: 1
Sell 65772
To: ELK RIVER POLICE DEPT.
CHIEF BEAHEN
13077 ORONO PKWY
ELK RIVER, MN 55330
Ship
To: ELK RIVER POLICE DEPT.
13077 ORONO PKWY
ELK RIVER, MN 55330
Phone: (763) 635-1260
Fax: (763) 441-8937
Ship Via
Terms
NET 15
SalesPerson Rochel Moore
Phone: 763-252-2573
E-mail: rochelm@streichers.com
Item No. Description Unit Quantity Unit Price Total Price
KIM-PC2.FNS .45 PISTOL: PRO CARRY II, NS, W/1 7-RND EA 12 655.00 7,860.00
MAG
STR-MISC KIMBER #1000089, SINGLE STACK 8-RND. EA 68 12.50 850.00
MAG
SF-6280BW.CTG HOLSTER: #6280 SLS, BBW, RH, COLT EA 34 103.00 3,502.00
GOVT, KIMBER CUSTOM
SF-77HSBW.45 MAG HOLDER: DUBL, BBW, HIDDEN SNAP, EA 34 24.00 816.00
4500/3900
STR-MISC AMBIDEXTEROUS SAFETY EA 34 65.00 2,210.00
KIM-CTLE2.FNS .45 PISTOL: CUSTOM TLE II, NS, 5, W/1 EA 22 725.00 15,950.00
7-RND MAG
SF-518BP.CG45R HOLSTER: PADDLE, BP, RH, COLT GOVT. EA 9 48.00 432.00
45
STR-MISC MAG WELL EA 34 80.00 2,720.00
FRT Shipping, Handling & Insurance EA 29.95 29.95
Quoted prices do not include Sales Tax. All quoted prices are valid for 60 days from the date of the quote.
Total: 34,369.95