A recent amendment to an El Dorado Police Department internal policy now allows officers a choice in the type of sidearm they carry while on duty.
The new policy has been in effect for a month, having been approved just after spring civil service exams wrapped in early June.
Police Chief Kenny Hickman presented the request to the El Dorado Civil Service Commission during a regular meeting that was held June 2, immediately after commissioners certified the results for entry-level and promotional exams.
“Any internal policy that we have that goes into our regulations manual is required to have civil service approval, so I took it to them for consideration,” Hickman said.
Hickman said he harked back to his days a new officer on the force in his decision to request the police change, explaining that officers were allowed then to select their own personal service handguns.
The police said he felt such an allowance would benefit EPD officers in carrying out their daily duties.
“They have to be approved and the officers have to show they’re proficient,” Hickman said.
The EPD standard-issue is a Glock 40-caliber, safe-action pistol, and while the pistol will still be issued by the police department, officers will also have a personal choice of a 40-caliber, 9mm, or 45-caliber handgun.
“Some like a little bit of a smaller pistol and others like a little bit of a larger pistol. It’s about what works best for them, what they’re most comfortable with, what fits the size of their hands better,” the police chief said. “It’s a situation where one size doesn’t fit all.”
Regarding such policies, Hickman said law enforcement agencies across the country are “pretty much split down the middle” on the issue.
“Some very large departments are doing what we’re doing,” Hickman said, adding that he sought guidance and direction from multiple police departments to craft the new policy.
Hickman said several EPD officers have shown interest in the new option. He said officers who choose to use their personal weapon will be required to undergo a stringent vetting process.
Officers must purchase their gun of choice if they opt out of the standard-issue Glock 40.
They must demonstrate proficiency and follow through with yearly qualifications for daytime and nighttime use and meet training requirements, including practice at the EPD’s shooting range.
Hickman said the same level of safety holster and magazine holders are required and modifications to the handguns are not permitted.
“Any work that has to be done must be done by someone who’s a certified armorer or they have to send it back to the manufacturer,” Hickman said.
Alterations or adjustments to the trigger are also prohibited as to not compromise the safety or function of the weapon, he continued.
Prior to the civil service commission’s vote to change the policy, Hickman said he had some stern advice for EPD officers.
“I recommended that they become very, very familiar with any choice they make before they decide to carry it. Any tool you use, become really acquainted with it,” he said. One officer responded by visiting the EPD shooting range and firing off 1,000 rounds of the sidearm he was interested in carrying, Hickman said.
Noting that quality firearms are expensive, Hickman said he anticipates that officers who are interested in selecting their own sidearm will take their time and give the matter strong consideration.
“They have to get the weapon approved and they will have to qualify with it and have the proper equipment that matches their duty weapon. The only thing that’s changed is they now have a choice,” Hickman said.
“I expect within next year or two, probably about half of them will change. As long as it doesn’t compromise safety, I’d like to leave the choice as open as I can,” he continued.