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Resident raises SIG Sauer concerns; sheriff and HR say no grievances and no safety incidents
Summary
A resident told the Ways & Means Committee she had heard from current and former sheriff’s office employees alleging safety problems with a recently purchased Sig Sauer handgun; the sheriff and the county HR director said the county held briefings with unions and the manufacturer and that no grievances or incidents have occurred locally.
A resident told the Ways & Means Committee during limited public comment that she had heard from current and former sheriff’s office employees alleging safety problems with a recently purchased Sig Sauer handgun and urged the board to vote against county spending because of those safety concerns.
“I'm all about the Second Amendment,” public commenter Rhonda Shoper said. “I don't have a problem. It's the malfunctioning that is the issue.” Shoper told commissioners she had researched lawsuits and said her understanding was that there were “22 lawsuits in 16 states” and that one state had restricted the model. She said that, based on what she had heard, she intended to “vote no.”
County officials who responded later in the meeting disagreed with the public account and described steps taken before and after the procurement.
Sheriff Reich told the board that the department had moved to the Sig Sauer model after considering options and the need to replace older Glock handguns. “These guns are very safe,” Reich said, adding that the department had participated in a review of the firearm and that comparable agencies, including Michigan State Police, had equipped officers with the same model.
The county’s human resources director also addressed the comments and said, “there wasn't a single grievance filed” related to the handgun procurement. The HR director said the county arranged detailed briefings with union bargaining representatives and a Sig Sauer representative; the sessions, the HR director said, covered manufacturing changes and performance improvements and included firearms specialists from other agencies.
Officials said they had seen no local safety incidents involving the new handguns since the procurement and that staff had worked to provide forums for employees to raise concerns. The sheriff and HR director noted that some past industry litigation had led manufacturers to alter certain parts and that the county had sought information before completing the purchase.
No formal action followed the public comment. Commissioners said they expect county staff to continue reviewing safety and training practices and to respond to any additional concerns raised by employees.
