Sylvania Twp. police to get new weapons

3/20/2002

The Sylvania Township police department will be re-armed with new handguns at a price of about $30,000, according to Chief Gary Copeland.

After test-firing a number of brands, the majority of township officers said they prefer the weapon made by Heckler & Koch, Chief Copeland said.

“I wanted the officers to be a large part of the decision-making process,” he said. “They're the one's who are more likely to need to use them.”

He said he believes that there isn't much technical difference between top brands, but the decision was based more on comfort of each officer with the different guns.

He said the total price includes magazines for the 40-caliber semi-automatic weapons and holsters. About 45 will be purchased, he added.

The chief said bids have gone out to dealers to submit a price for the purchase.

He added that most - and perhaps all of the cost - will be paid for by an $18,000 grant and by the trade-in value of the handguns now in use.