The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About10 PROTECTIVE VESTS 03-17-97DATE: I~IARCH 10, 1997 Inter-Corn NO. 10 3-17-97 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: WILLI,iM A. HUSTON, CITY I~iANAGER POLICE DEPARTMENT AUTOMATIC WEAPONS - PROTECTIVE VESTS SUMI~RY RECOMMENI)ATION I recommend we adopt Option C, which will allow us to utilize our existing equipment while providing needed additional fire power as well as tactical safety equipment. FISCAL IMPACT The expenditure of $25,200 Kill be required for adoption of Option C. Funding options include Proposition 172 funds or the Asset Forfeiture Account. BACKGROUND The recent foiled bank robbery attempt in North Hollywood has reminded us all of the continued escalation of force and superior fire power being confronted by law enforcement on a daily basis. Although incidents of this magnitude and the public awareness witnessed two weeks ago are not daily occurrences, officers are continually facing armed individuals. The ongoing trend has shown an increase in fire power superiority as well as use of body armor and military tactics by the criminal element. The Tustin Pohce Department currently has a minimal response capability to tactical situations at this time. Our pohcy dictates we notify a number of surrounding agencies and request utilization of their tactical units. Our current inventory of issued and tactical weapons and equipment is: · 1 each · 2 each · 1 each · 8 each Remington Model 700.308 hunting rifle (sniper weapon) .223 semiautomatic rifles Thompson .45 sub-machine gmn (for use against body armored suspects or distance encounters) Tactical vest (6 kept in Investigations; 2 in our field supervisor units) Mr. Huston March 10, 1997 Page 2 The Remington Model 870 shotguns currently carried in the patrol units are loaded with 12-gauge 00-buckshot rounds, which have a true effectiveness within approximately 25 yards. The 12-gauge rounds are not effective against body armor; the shot pattern spread beyond 25 yards leads to a high-habihty factor of innocent bystanders being injured or killed. Approximately six years ago we upgraded our duty-issue weapons from smith & Wesson Model 66 six-shot .38 revolvers to Beretta 92FS 9 mm. 16-shot semiautomatic .pistols. Since then we authorized the use of Glock semiautomatic pistols and 9 mm. or .40 versions, which are purchased and maintained at the officer's expense. None of the handguns we currently use are effective against body armor worn by suspects (as encountered during the North Hollywood incident). At this time the Pohce Department faces a demonstrated need for improving our tactical response weapons. With the exception of the shotguns and the Remington hunting rifle, all weapons at our disposal have been confiscated fi'om suspects and have been retained for Departmental use. We proposed to dispose of the Thompson .'45 sub-machine gun once additional semiautomatic weapons are purchased. OPTIONS Option A Maintain the existing weapons, ammunition, and protective equipment as currently stocked. Fiscal Impact, Option A: ~l Option B o Move the two currently owned semiautomatic .223 rifles into the field supervisor units and upgrade the sighting systems and ammunition options to make them readily available and effective against body armor and vehicles. Train all field officers in the proper use and deployment of the weapons. o Upgrade the currently issued 12-gauge shotguns with optional 12-gauge slug ammunition. Train officers and supervisors in the use and deployment of the slug rounds (proven effective against some body armor and vehicles). o Purchase eight Kevlar protective helmets to complement the current protective vests av_~Jlable to personnel. (Two vests are currently carried in the field supervisor units; six vests are used and maintained by the Special Investigations Unit.) Mr. Huston March 10, 1997 Page 3 Fiscal Impact, Option B: $5.200 Option C o Move the two currently owned semiautomatic .223 rifles into the field supervisor units and upgrade the sighting systems and ammunition options to make them readily available and effective against body armor and vehicles. Train all field officers in the proper use and deployment of the weapons. . Purchase six long-barrel .223 semiautomatic rifles with improved sighting systems. Maintain four of these weapons in a secured but readily accessible call-out location within the Pohce Department. The remaining two weapons would be used for training and qualification purposes. (Proper rotation and maintenance of all weapons would extend the projected hfe expectancy of the weapons.) 3. Purchase 20,000 rounds of ammunition for training and tactical response use. o Purchase four sets of body armor and 12 Kevlar helmets for tactical response use. (These would supplement the Police Department's existing body armor and add helmets for each of the sets.) . Upgrade the existing 12-gauge shotguns with optional 12-gauge slug ammunition. Train officers and supervisors in the use and deployment of the slug rounds (proven effective against some body armor and vehicles). Fiscal Impact, Option C: $25.200 Option D o Move the two currently owned .223 semiautomatic rifles to the field supervisor units; upgrade the sighting systems and ammunition options to make them readily available and effective against body armor and vehicles. Train all field officers in the proper use and deployment of the weapons. o Purchase 24 long-barreled 223 semiautomatic rifles with improved sighting systems. Maintain one weapon in each patrol unit for immediate response and use by officers. The four remaining weapons will be used for training and quMit~cation purposes. (Proper rotation and maintenance of all weapons would extend the projected life expectancy of the weapons.) 3. Purchase 24,000 rounds of ammunition for training and tactical response use. Mr. Huston March 10, 1997 Page 4 1 Purchase 30 sets of body armor and 38 Kevlar helmets for tactical response use. (These would allow for one set of body armor and one helmet for each patrol unit and would supplement the current body armor and add hehnets for each of the current sets.) 5, Upgrade the existing 12-gauge shotguns with optional 12-gauge slug ammunition. Train officers and supe~4sors in the use and deployment of the slug rounds (proven effective against some body armor and vehicles). Fiscal Impact, Option D: ~L7_0.~20~ STEVE FOSTER, Captain Acting Chief of Pohce SF:kh Mr. Huston March 10, 1997 Page 5 PRICING INFORMATION The following px~icing is based on information received as of March 7, 1997' Long-Barreled Colt .iR- 15 Semiautomatic i $1,600 Rifle ~-ith Trig-icon Red Dot Improved l Sightin S 'stem ...................... .g. ..... ~.i ..... : ...................................................................................... ~ ........................................ .223 Ball Training Ammunition $200/m rounds .223 55-Grain Soft-Point Duty $400/m Amm ~i t__ip n .............................................................................. ~_~_d_.s. .223 Steel Core Ammunition .................................................................................................................................. ?......4...0. ......................... Personal Body Armor Vests g([ust be $1,350 replaced ex, ery 5 to 7 );ears) Kevlar Protective Helmets ..... _$~_5_0.__