Jackson County approves purchase of Glock 45 pistols with red-dot sights for patrol

Jackson County commissioners voted to approve the sheriff’s request to purchase Glock Model 45 handguns, Aimpoint red-dot sights, holsters and lights for patrol deputies.

Sheriff Schutte told the county’s public safety and transportation committee that the Model 45 is a 9 millimeter pistol and that mounting a red-dot Aimpoint sight will let deputies “use both eyes and they’re wide open,” making “a good shooter a great shooter.” He said the change is intended to increase hit accuracy if deputies must fire in an incident.

The sheriff presented the item as a modernization effort. He said the full purchase would cost “a little over $100,000,” but the county would receive a roughly $29,000 credit for trade-ins, bringing the expected county cost down to “a little over $83,000 and some change.” The requested package includes patrol weapons, holsters and weapon-mounted lights; corrections deputies were not included for the lights, the sheriff said, because of training and the corrections environment.

Committee members asked about lifespan and maintenance of existing weapons. The sheriff said parts replacement on the current Glock 17s would total roughly $8,800 for repair parts, not counting staff labor. Chairman Shotwell confirmed the county typically handles trade-ins through the vendor to avoid the disposal process, and the sheriff said many deputies likely would purchase traded guns back through the vendor.

The standing committee moved the request to the full board with a recommendation of approval. The full board subsequently approved the purchase; a roll-call vote was recorded and the item passed unanimously.

The approval directs county staff to proceed with the purchase through the county capital fund and apply the trade-in credit as described. No additional ordinance or statute was cited as a precondition for the buy.

Funding and next steps: the sheriff said capital funds are available to cover the purchase; commissioners did not identify an alternative funding source during the discussion.