Do police officers bring their own pistols to work or are they issued a standard piece?

Question

I noticed a lot of police officers have different colored handles on their weapons (some silver, most are black). I was just wondering if these are all standard issued weapons from the department or if an officer is allowed to carry his personal piece as long as it meets some form of requirements.

Answer 1

There is a list of approved weapons.

Answer 2

My department issued my Sig229 in a .40 cal. Everyone carries that. Our backup weapon can be anything as long as it is not smaller than a .32 and single shot. However, that most be purchased on our own. Then department also has AR-15's to carry that the give out at the beginning of each shift. However, you can purchase and carry your own as long as it meets criteria. I carry my own, you never know what someone else did with a rifle.

Answer 3

It varies from department to department. Some departments give officers credit to choose their own gear (bring back the receipt and get your money back), some issue a weapon but allow you to carry a personally owned one, some (like mine) issue you a weapon and that is the only weapon you are allowed to carry. Our department uses a combination method. We are given credit to purchase our gear, but all the gear must meet certain standards. For example, we can choose what baton we carry, but it must be the expandable style and black. However, with firearms, we are issued and only allowed to carry Sig P229's. Sergent's and SRT members also have a shotgun in their patrol cars and SRT guys often have their specialized weapon in the trunk (mostly M4's).

Answer 4

Depends on the agency. Some issue weapons, some give weapons allowance pay, some allow you to buy what you want as long as it is a standard caliber that the department authorizes.

Answer 5

So, I'm curious - why exactly would you do anything? Cops are touchy enough, and someone giving the business, regardless of how polite, about his choice of firearm probably doesn't represent the epitome of wisdom. Further, while there are plenty of haters on the DE, if you are running adequate ammo they will cycle. Cops, at least around here, have to requalify with their carry piece every 6 months. So, if he's carrying it, then he can shoot it at least a little. I'm probably 99% sure that the last thing I want to do is get into an argument with someone who can control whether I get tickets or not over his choice to carry a $1,500 firearm. So, I don't care WHAT he is carrying. Makes no difference to me. Thinkingblade

Answer 6

If they belong to a real police department they are issued standard weapons. Mainly so that slugs, shots can be identified as coming from an officers gun in case of fire being exchanged.

Answer 7

Most ( almost all) issue the service duty weapons.
So unless they were given special permission, or perhaps some using newer or older issue weapons, they will all be the same.

Many officers do carry a back up weapon but you will not see them, and often these are owned by the officer.

Answer 8

The department I work for issues you your first weapon at the academy, and you are allowed to buy other weapons as long as they conform to department standards. We are only allowed to have 9mm and .45 semi-auto. We also can only have certain types of ammunition.
However, some departments allow their officers to purchase and carry whatever sidearm they want.

Answer 9

Most departments give a stipend to allow the officer to purchase their own personal handgun. Shotguns and AR-15's are generally issued by the dept. however some agencies allow their officers to purchase their own.

Answer 10

I think they are issued a weapon but have the option to buy their own if it's one that's approved. I don't know what the rules are about a backup (a small hidden handgun). My guess is the officers keep them hidden and the dept. doesn't ask.