The Author is issued a Glock 22 (.40 S&W), Benelli M1 Super 90 (12-gauge) shotgun, and Rock River Arms AR-15 (5.56mm) patrol rifle.
BlueSheepDog has received a few requests from our readers asking about what firearms different police agencies have selected for their officers. These requests have not gone unheard, and we have been diligently researching the answers to your questions. In this new series, “Police Firearms”, BSD will examine what America’s law enforcement officers are carrying on duty and perhaps why those firearms were selected.
The selection of a firearm is no small decision. The size, weight, capacity, and accuracy are all serious considerations to make when your life and the life of others are on the line. In the early years it was not uncommon for officers to have to purchase their own firearms, so the type and model carried varied widely.
By around the mid 20th century many major police agencies had determined it was safer, more cost-effective, and generally easier to purchase and issue officers a specific (or narrow list) of firearms to carry on duty. This allowed Department Armorers and Firearms Trainers to master only a few firearms. It also allowed Departments to select calibers to meet their needs and reduce the cost of trying to provide multiple types of ammunition to its officers.
The Glock 17 is one of world’s most popular handguns. Glock claims a 65% market of American LE pistols (photo Glock).
West Coast Handguns
In this first post of the series we will look at the West Coast police agencies and what they are issuing or allowing officers to carry. For the purpose of garnering a greater understanding of what “most” officers are carrying, we will evaluate what officers are carrying in jurisdictions with 250,000 or more citizens. Though this won’t capture many fine cities and agencies, we want to keep the length of the articles reasonable, while trying to capture the largest amount of firearms in police hands.
Our biggest cities only make up a handful of the possible police agencies to investigate, but with the sheer numbers of officers employed they often can capture the greatest image as well. The bigger departments also tend to have an influence on smaller agencies selections. We apologize in advance if the city you were looking for is not included, but this will at least give a good insight into what the big agencies consider a good handgun.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Multiple sources were examined to verify the current firearm selections of the agencies highlighted. Some agencies authorize officers to carry only certain firearms off-duty, and some allow officers to choose compact or sub-compact models for detective or special operations work. Some agencies still allow revolvers under strict requirements. In order to maintain consistency, the firearms listed are the primary firearms used for on-duty, uniformed personnel.
The patch of the Alaska State Troopers (photo from dps.alaska.gov).
ALASKA
Alaska State Troopers
- Agency Size: Approximately 650 Troopers
- Population Served: About 740,000 (it’s cold up there!)
- Department Handgun: Glock 22 (.40 S&W)
- Department Shotgun: Remington 870 (12-gauge)
- Department Patrol Rifle: Colt M4 (5.56mm)
- Department Sniper Rifle: Remington 700P LTR (.308 caliber).
The Glock 22 in .40 S&W remains one of the most popular LE pistols in America. (photo by Glock)
Anchorage Police
- Agency Size: Approximately 362 Officers
- Population Served: About 305,000
- Department Handgun: Glock 21 (.45 ACP) or [easyazon_link identifier=”B000NJXWBM” locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Glock 22[/easyazon_link] (.40 S&W)
- Department Shotgun: Remington 870 (12-gauge)
- Department Patrol Rifle: AR-15 (5.56mm)
- Department Sniper Rifle: Knight’s Armament SR-25 Mk11 (7.62 x 51mm), .50 BMG (SWAT)
Honolulu Police is Hawaii’s major agency (photo from Honolulu PD).
HAWAII
Honolulu Police
- Agency Size: Approximately 2150 Officers
- Population Served: Over 900,000 (not including military)
- Department Handgun: Glock 17 (9mm)
- Department Shotgun: Remington 870 or Benelli M1 Super 90 (12-gauge)
- Department Patrol Rifle: Colt AR-15 (5.56mm)
- Department Sniper Rifle: Remington 700 (.308 caliber).
Smith & Wesson M&P pistols are making a strong push into law enforcement agencies (photo by S&W).
WASHINGTON
Washington State Patrol
- Agency Size: Over 1,100 Troopers
- Population Served: 7.1 million
- Department Handgun: Smith & Wesson M&P (.40 S&W)
- Department Shotgun: Remington 870 (12-gauge)
- Department Patrol Rifle: AR-15 (5.56mm), HK MP-5 (9mm – SWAT)
- Department Sniper Rifle: Not listed.
The new Seattle Police patch, is just part of an overall uniform upgrade (photo by Seattle PD).
Seattle Police
- Agency Size: Over 1300 Officers
- Population Served: 660,000
- Department Handgun: Glock 17/19 (9mm), Glock 22/23 (.40 S&W), or Glock 21SF/31SF (.45 ACP)
- Department Shotgun: Remington 870 (12-gauge)
- Department Patrol Rifle: Colt or Bushmaster AR-15 (5.56mm)
- Department Sniper Rifle: Not listed.
The author’s Benelli M1 Super 90 duty shotgun. Nice but complicated.
King County Sheriff’s Office
- Agency Size: Approximately 750 Deputies
- Population Served: 2.1 million
- Department Handgun: Glock 17/19 (9mm) or Glock 22/23 (.40 S&W)
- Department Shotgun: Remington 870 or Benelli M1 Super 90 (12-gauge)
- Department Patrol Rifle: AR-15 (5.56mm) Multiple manufacturers
- Department Sniper Rifle: Not listed
The Remington 870 is an iconic law enforcement shotgun, though mine had a wood stock (photo by Remington).
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department
- Agency Size: Approximately 320 Law Enforcement Deputies
- Population Served: About 825,000
- Department Handgun: Glock (unknown caliber)
- Department Shotgun: Not listed
- Department Patrol Rifle: AR-15 (5.56mm), HK MP-5 (9mm) SWAT
- Department Sniper Rifle: Not listed
The Colt LE6940 AR-15 is a good patrol rifle (photo by Colt).
Snohomish County Sheriff’s Department
- Agency Size: Approximately 700 Deputies (350 law enforcement)
- Population Served: About 780,000
- Department Handgun: Smith & Wesson M&P (.40 S&W), Glock 22 (.40 S&W) SWAT
- Additional Authorized Handguns: Most major manufacturers (.40 S&W, or .45 ACP)
- Department Shotgun: Not listed
- Department Patrol Rifle: AR-15 (.223 cal.)
- Department Sniper Rifle: [easyazon_link identifier=”B01EL5J9F6″ locale=”US” tag=”bluesheecom-20″]Accuracy International AE[/easyazon_link] (.308 cal.)
The Mossberg 500 has been gaining in popularity (photo by Mossberg).
Spokane County Sheriff’s Department
- Agency Size: About 220 Deputies
- Population Served: About 485,000
- Department Handgun: Glock 21 (.45 ACP)
- Department Shotgun: Mossberg 500 (12-gauge)
- Department Patrol Rifle: Colt AR-15 (.223 cal.); HK MP-5 (9mm) SWAT
- Department Sniper Rifle: Remington 700 (.308 caliber)
Oregon State Police (photo by oregon.gov).
OREGON
Oregon State Police
Agency Size: Around 410
Population Served: 3.97 million
Department Handgun: Glock 22 (.40 S&W)
Department Shotgun: Remington 870 (12-gauge)
Department Patrol Rifle: AR-15 (5.56mm)
Department Sniper Rifle: Remington 700 (.308 cal.)
Portland, OR Police badge (photo by Portland Police).
Portland Police
- Agency Size: About 1150
- Population Served: Around 615,000
- Department Handgun: Glock 17/19/26 (9mm)
- Department Shotgun: Remington 870 (12-guage)
- Department Patrol Rifle: Colt AR-15 (.223 cal.), HK MP-5A3 or M4 (SERT)
- Department Sniper Rifle: Not listed
HK MP-5’s were once king among LE SWAT teams (photo by HK).
Multanomah County Sheriff’s Office
- Agency Size: Approximately 725 Deputies (165 in Enforcement)
- Population Served: Approximately 750,000
- Department Handgun: Glock (unknown caliber)
- Department Shotgun: Not found
- Department Patrol Rifle: AR-15 (5.56mm)
- Department Sniper Rifle: Not found
Final Words
This is the first installment of the new series “Police Firearms”. This post covers the “West Coast Majors”, and if your wondering why it doesn’t include California it is because California is going to be an article all on its own. The States of Texas, Florida, and New York will also get their own post due to the large numbers of “major” police agencies calling them home.
I have tried to locate as much relevant and current information on the firearms being used by these departments. If you see an error, or can provide information on the “unknown” or “Not listed/found” items, please post them in the comments and I’ll update the post. Let us know if this article series interests you.
Thinker-1 says
Would be Helpful to show issue ammo for pistol, to help us stay on the same side (of lethality) for legal purposes.
Aaron E says
Thinker that is a great idea, but in doing my research I was finding it very hard just to locate the firearms used. Many of the policies, websites, etc. were generic, such as “quality hollow-point ammunition” and perhaps a bullet weight range, instead of the specific manufacturer.
As I go forward I’ll try to pull that information, and if available I’ll definitely include it in the post. Thanks for reading!
Thinker-1 says
Makes sense. Most cops I’ve asked this had to look. They suggested commercial hollow point ammo.
Richard says
In my experience, many departments base the ammo selection on what’s cheapest when they go to purchase. Some departments have higher standards than price, but many do not. So ammo can literally change brands, bullet design or bullet weight with every purchase order. Sad but true.