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Commission Approves Up to $50,000 to Replace Police Handguns After Reliability Concerns
Summary
The commission approved a motion, 5-0, to fund replacement handguns, holsters and training aids for the police department amid national concerns about one manufacturer's model; staff said trade-in allowances reduce the net cost.
The Liberal City Commission voted 5-0 to approve up to $50,000 for the police department to replace its issued handguns, holsters and training aids after staff reported national controversy about the department’s current firearm platform.
At the meeting the police presentation said the department currently issues the SIG P320 and noted reports nationally about “uncommanded discharge.” The presenter said the department has “not had a single report of one sitting on a shelf and discharging” and that local experience has generally been positive, but acknowledged the issue is attracting lawsuits and regulatory attention in other jurisdictions.
Staff described an informal field trial of other models and reported officers overwhelmingly preferred the replacement model recommended to the commission. The quoted purchase price was approximately $48,000 with an expected trade-in allowance of about $10,000; without the allowance the presenter said the purchase would approach $60,000.
A motion to approve funding for the purchase, holsters and training aids was made by Vice Mayor Landry and seconded by Commissioner Vasquez; the commission voted unanimously in favor. After the vote, the chief thanked the commission. No ordinance or policy change was adopted; the vote authorized staff to proceed with procurement and to work with the city manager on budget sourcing.
