Board approves sheriff’s handgun contract; one supervisor abstains citing employment with sheriff’s office

The Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a contract with SIG Sauer totaling $440,320.55 to replace the sheriff’s office duty weapons and supply optics and lights. The presentation traced the department’s transition from revolvers to .40‑caliber Glocks and explained a shift toward 9mm pistols after in‑house testing of competing models.

Before discussion, Supervisor Casey M. Dooley read a brief statement to the board: “At the 08/20/2024 regular meeting… I, Casey M Dooley, intend to abstain from discussion and vote concerning the contract award for handguns for the sheriff’s office. I’m employed by the county sheriff’s office.” The board recorded his abstention in the roll call; the motion carried with the other supervisors voting to approve the contract.

Department staff said they had solicited input from firearms instructors and armorers and that the department preferred SIG Sauer for operational performance, pricing and customer service. The presenter said the department had arranged for distributors and manufacturers to bid buyback for existing weapons and to swap .40‑caliber ammunition inventories to minimize waste.

Board members asked about surplus weapons disposition, ammunition replacement costs and officer safety enhancements such as laser sights and lighting; the presenter said SIG had offered buyback arrangements through licensed distributors and that 9mm ammo is typically less expensive. The vote was taken by roll call with four ayes and one abstention.