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Council approves standardized duty firearms for Cleveland police
Summary
Chief Brousard presented a plan to purchase standardized duty handguns for on‑duty full‑time officers (25 weapons plus two spares, with holsters and magazines) to improve interoperability and training; council approved use of fund balance to purchase from GT Distributors and the motion carried (meeting record: "Motion carries. 7").
Police Chief Brousard asked council to approve a departmental program to issue standardized duty handguns to on‑duty full‑time officers so all officers train and operate with the same platform. "What we're looking at is purchasing weapons for each on‑duty full‑time police officer and maybe even having a couple on standby," Chief Brousard said, adding that standardized weapons allow officers to exchange magazines or use a partner’s weapon if a firearm is removed as evidence after an officer‑involved incident.
The proposal would provide 25 duty weapons, two extras, holsters and three magazines per gun. Chief Brousard said the department already issues shotguns and that this proposal would be funded from fund balance rather than the general fund or a future budget item.
Councilmembers asked procedural questions: Dr. Clark confirmed the current privately purchased handguns belong to officers and asked whether the new weapons would be 9‑millimeter to standardize ammunition. Chief Brousard confirmed the plan would standardize on a 9mm caliber to allow bulk purchasing of ammunition and training consistency.
Council voted to approve the purchase from GT Distributors; the meeting record states the motion carried "Motion carries. 7." The chief thanked council and identified Sergeant Edwards and Captain Felts as staff who helped prepare the recommendation.
Next steps: the department will coordinate procurement and training for officers with the standardized platform.
