The Board of Selectman at its May 1 meeting approved a $60,000 appropriation of American Rescue Plan funding to be used to switch police sidearms from Glock .45 caliber pistols to Glock 9mm pistols.

Selectman Ed Schierloh reported that the department replaces or refurbishes its sidearms every eight years, and rather than refurbish the current .45s, the department wants to instead replace their current weapons with the FBI-recommended 9mm.

This will also require new ammunition, holsters, and some training on the new weapons, which is included in the appropriation. The timing for replacement is good because the police department is currently running low on the .45 ammunition and needs to replenish its stock, so rather than do so with .45 ammunition, the department will be purchasing the new 9mm ammunition as part of this appropriation.

Police Captain Bryan Bishop estimated it would cost $11,000 to refurbish the department’s existing sidearms. With this new appropriation, the department will instead purchase 55 firearms for $32,800, new holsters and magazine pouches for $10,800, and purchase of ammunition for $15,000.

At a Board of Finance meeting last week, member Erica Sullivan, who is also a member of the town’s ARP Workgroup, a joint committee made up of members of each of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Legislative Council, reported that the change will be less expensive long-term for ammunition, as 9mm bullets are 30 percent cheaper, as well as being easier to find “because of the popularity of the ammunition.” Cost for .45 ammo is $12,000 per year with a 12 to 18 month wait time, and the cost for the 9mm ammo will be $9,000 per year with immediate availability.

Sullivan also reported that a rebate program will help defray the cost of the new firearms, with the Police Department receiving a $310 rebate for each of the old guns turned in towards the purchase of the new guns, which cost roughly $900 each.

BOF Chairman John Madzula asked how many rounds are expended by officers in the line of duty; First Selectman Dan Rosenthal responded that there had been “none in recent memory.” Most rounds are expended in training.

Sullivan noted that the new 9mm pistols are easier to certify with as they are lighter, easier to use, and have less recoil.

Rosenthal said the guns would have optical sights, which “don’t shoot a laser like in the movies but improve accuracy.” Bishop said that the “officer’s accuracy, speed, and confidence greatly increased with the red dot versus the traditional sighting system.”

Associate Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.