Firearm use

[solascriptura13]

I know most departments use Glocks for their standard firearm. I was wondering if it is possible in most departments to use a different pistol of the same caliber or is it mandatory to use the gun they supply you with? I ask because if I get into law enforcement, I would prefer a gun that fits my hand better than a Glock, which happens to be the Browning Hi-Power and the CZ-75. It's not a vital thing, just wondering what the normal policy is. Thanks.

[Bearcat06]

Depends entirely on the Department. Some allow you to buy your own from a list and others issue you what they want you to use.

I would suggest searching for Departments that you are interested in and finding out what their policy is....

[scott715us]

Ditto...

My dept issues the Glock 22 and that is what you have to carry as does Metro Nashville PD.

I have seen from depts in my area that the larger ones issue weapons that the officers have to carry and some of the smaller depts allow their officers to carry their own as long as it is at a minimum caliber level (usually .40 cal or above).

[K-9MALY]

Both my state time and current fed job required that I use their weapon. We did have a choice of carrying a hideout weapon that could be couple various calibers. Since we carried (SDSO) Glock 22's most of us carried the Glock 27. The mags are interchangeable with the 22, and that is prudently efficient if you need to use your back up weapon. TWO WEAPONS+SAME AMMO=SMART

[Legoate]

Totally agency dependent...
My dept issues Sigs, you can carry just about any Sig now that is either 9mm, .40, or .45 caliber. They issue the Sig 226 .40. If you want something else, you have to shell out the bucks yourself.

For backups, there are similar rules....any Sig in .380, 9mm, .40, .45... or any S&W revolver capable of firing .38 cal bullets.

[Group9]

Mine goes back and forth and will issue Sigs for a few years then issue Glocks for a few years. Right now, it is Glocks, but they will trade you a Sig for it after you graduate out of the Academy. Only .40's are issued.

The personally purchased and approved list is very long and includes just about every 9mm, .40 and .45 that Sig, Glock, or H&K makes. Plus a couple of Smith and Wesson Autos. The list used to be longer until our armory, who is required to maintain even personally owned guns that are used, said they didn't have room for all of the spare parts.