The City of Tallahassee will spend $450,000 to update the Tallahassee Police Department’s service weapons.
Commissioners approved the purchases today. The money comes from state and federal law enforcement trust funds. TPD Chief Lawrence Revell says its cheaper to buy new guns than refurbish old ones. The spend also covers back-up weapons for officers. Right now, they can carry their own.
“By going to one weapon and one back-up weapon, we have control over that," Revell explained to commissioners. "Our ammo prices will go down because we’ll have one type of ammo we can buy in bulk…it’s better oversight, better care, better fiscally.”
He also noted giving officers use of department-issued firearms will increase accountability and aid with better tracking their use.
TPD also plans to use some of the money to buy a vehicle that will tow a rook. That’s an armored Bobcat tractor Revell says can be used both in crisis situations and weather events.
