Finance committee halves police ammunition request after inventory, per‑round cost questions

The Warwick City Council finance committee voted Jan. 13 to reduce the Warwick Police Department’s fiscal‑year ammunition purchase request from $150,000 to $75,000 after committee members pressed department leaders for inventory and unit‑price details.

Major Sullivan of the Warwick Police Department told the committee the department had recently gone out to bid and recommended a one‑year award to the lowest qualified bidder. Committee members and several public commenters pressed for a breakdown of how many rounds the department holds, how many rounds are used for qualifications and training, and per‑round pricing from the bid.

Why it matters: Councilors said they face tight city finances and want transparent evidence that departmental purchases match actual need. The committee’s reduction forces the police department to either manage within the smaller appropriation or return to the council with a fuller explanation and request for more funding.

Committee questioning focused on stock levels and unit cost. Committee Chair Councilman Foley (finance committee chair) said he had asked the department to lower the request during prior questions, and asked the department to “reduce…this down to 75,000,” prompting the amendment that ultimately passed. Major Sullivan described training and qualification requirements that drive ammunition use: “that’s close to a hundred thousand and then there’s close to another hundred thousand of the 2 2 3 ball ammo, which is for the rifles,” he said, outlining how patrol rifles and academy requirements raise consumption.

Members of the public and one councilor provided detailed price and inventory observations. Rob Cody (Ward 7), a public commenter, reviewed historic spending and department inventory and questioned why the department sought so many rounds in such a short window. Cindy Wilson, another resident, asked who maintains the inventory; Major Sullivan responded that range personnel maintain a locked inventory and that the department retains records of allocations and usage.

The committee adopted an amendment cutting the request to $75,000. The committee recorded the amendment vote as 3 in favor and 1 opposed. The amended request was then advanced to the full council for final action; the department may return with a revised proposal if it needs additional funding.

What’s next: The police department kept the committee’s attention for the possibility of a return presentation. Committee members said they expect the department to provide a per‑round pricing breakdown, current inventory counts and the department’s assumptions about near‑term training and academy needs if it seeks additional funds later.

Votes at a glance: The finance committee amended the ammunition request from $150,000 to $75,000 and advanced the amended request to the council.