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Adult probation plans switch to 9mm to match sheriff; buyback and holster costs noted
Summary
Abby McCurry of Bannock County Adult Probation and Pretrial said the office proposes switching from .45-caliber handguns to 9mm to align with the sheriff’s department, noting ammunition savings and a departmental buyback that could offset costs; expected additional expense limited to holsters and one Kevlar vest for a new officer.
Abby McCurry, who identified herself as representing Adult Probation and Pretrial, told the Bannock County Commissioners that her office proposes switching its department-issued handguns from .45 caliber to 9mm to match the sheriff’s department.
“The sheriff's office has gone to the from the current 45 caliber to the 9 millimeter. It is less expensive for ammunition and it's a lot lighter, easier to carry and to do the training with,” McCurry said.
McCurry said the change would lower ammunition costs and streamline training because the sheriff’s office provides training for probation officers. The county’s procurement source would be the same vendor the sheriff used. She told commissioners the vendor offered a buyback for existing firearms, which could reduce the county’s net cost: officers who want to purchase their current firearm would pay $250 each, or the buyback option would pay $200 per firearm to the county to offset replacement costs.
She told the commissioners switching calibers should not produce major additional expense beyond holsters, which she estimated at about $15 to $20 apiece. McCurry also noted the department must outfit a newly hired female probation officer with a Kevlar vest; other personnel are up to date on vests and tasers under last year’s budget.
Commissioners characterized the presentation as straightforward and had no additional questions recorded in the transcript excerpt. No formal action or vote on the firearm transition was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.
