Council approves police handgun update with pistol-mounted optics; training, trade-in approach detailed
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Summary
As part of the consent agenda the council approved a purchase order to replace the department's handguns and acquire pistol-mounted optics and lights. Police officials described training plans and said trade-ins will offset costs; members of the public expressed concern about secondary market disposal.
The City Council approved a procurement to replace aging service handguns and add pistol-mounted optics (PMOs) and weapon-mounted lights for the Santa Rosa Police Department as part of the consent calendar.
Chief Kriegen told council the department is moving to a newer Glock 9mm platform with red-dot sights and lights to improve accuracy and officer vision in low-light conditions. He said the change is meant to reduce misidentification in split-second confrontations.
"These have red dot sights which gives you quicker target acquisition...you're able to keep both eyes open," the chief said. He added the department created two full-time training officer positions to oversee the transition and will require a full training day before officers are issued the upgraded handguns.
Nut graf: The purchase was approved on a consent vote with six affirmative votes. Police described a minimum initial training block of about 10 hours and recurring sustainment training (roughly 4 hours every eight weeks). The department intends to apply trade-in credits to offset about $100,000 of the purchase price; some traded firearms will be available for officers to buy from the dealer, while others may be sold on the commercial market, a possibility that drew public concern.
Key details
- Training: Chief Kriegen and the department—s training sergeant said officers will receive a full-day (approximately 10-hour) transition course and ongoing sustainment training about every eight weeks; annual training hours were estimated at 30—40 hours.
- Costs and trade-ins: The chief said the trade-in program lowers the purchase price by about $100,000. The department budgeted internally over multiple years for the replacement; officials said the purchase will not require an additional appropriation to the general fund.
- Disposal and buy-back: Department officials acknowledged some traded firearms will be held by the licensed dealer and could enter the secondary market. They said officers will have the option to purchase their traded handguns from the dealer. The chief said the department studied reports about traded weapons being recovered at crime scenes and aimed to mitigate risks while balancing fiscal responsibility.
Public comment and council reaction
Public speakers asked about training, liability and how traded weapons would be handled. Councilmembers pressed the chief on training frequency and durability; the chief said the new handguns should last an additional 10—15 years under expected usage.
Ending: The consent motion passed with six affirmative votes and Councilmember Fleming absent. The procurement will proceed, and the department said it will report on implementation and training progress as officers receive the new equipment.
