The Denton Police Department will begin issuing standardized duty firearms to officers after the city council directed staff to proceed with an initial purchase funded from the police confiscation fund.

Deputy Chief Brian Coase told the council the department does not currently issue handguns or patrol rifles; officers buy and carry their own weapons. That creates a recruiting disadvantage and a training inconsistency, Coase said. "That's a significant expense for our new officers that we're trying to recruit to say welcome aboard. Now go find the tools for the job and lay out $3,000 to $5,000 to do so," he said.

The department proposed issuing Glock 9mm pistols for the authorized strength of the force (220 positions), purchasing about 40 patrol rifles to replace personally owned rifles, and buying replacement sniper rifles and a limited number of less‑lethal 40‑millimeter launchers. The plan also includes simunition training guns that match the issued model to improve hands‑on scenario training. Coase said confiscated‑fund dollars are available to cover the initial outlay; long‑term maintenance may require a future general‑fund request.

Council members asked how weapons would be handled at retirement and in daily operations. Coase said state law allows an honorably retired officer to buy one handgun from the department at its then‑market value; department patrol rifles would be retained and recycled through the force because they have longer service lives. Less‑lethal items and specialty gear will be quartermaster‑checked out rather than individually issued.

Several councilmembers supported moving forward. Councilmember Byrd urged phasing higher‑cost items through the regular budget process, suggesting initial focus on handguns and handling rifles and other specialty equipment through future budget cycles; others said the initial confiscation‑fund purchase makes immediate implementation feasible and addresses recruitment challenges.

There was no controversy on the policy to standardize; councilmembers agreed staff should proceed with procurement and training plans and return as needed for later budget requests to refresh equipment as items approach end of life (handguns were projected to have a 10‑year service life).