It seems that LE agencies that are using the 9mm and utilizing the better ammunition available for it like the 124gr+P Gold Dot/124gr Gold Dot, 127gr+P+/147gr Ranger T, 135gr+P/124gr Federal Tactical, ect... are not complaining much about it's effectiveness.
All of the service calibers benefit when the best loads available are used, and those are widely considered to be the Ranger, Federal Tactical, and Gold Dot bullets.
Would it benefit an LE officer to go to a larger caliber he or she doesn't shoot well? Or would it benefit said officer to stick with a caliber (even if smaller), that he/she places shots well with, and load it with one of the top performing bullet designs available? I for one, would never sacrifice shootability, for any real or percieved ballistics performance advantage. However, if an individual can shoot a larger caliber with a high degree of proficiency, meaning they can potentially capitalize on any performance increase that may be offered via properly placed shots, then I would say pick pick the larger caliber all else being equal.
Actually yes, some LE agencies have adopted the 357 Sig, which is a necked down 9mm bullet propelled to higher velocities. However,.........
357 Sig 125gr Ranger: Vel= 1340fps/ Pen= 13.5"/ RD= .63"
9mm 127gr+P+ Ranger (RA9TA ): 1219fps/ 14.8"/ .63"
..........Where's the difference? IMO, it's in the 357 Sig's increased recoil, louder blast, reduced capacity, and increased weapons wear.
LE agencies and civilians will always follow trends, jump on bandwagons, and clamour to be apart of the latest fad, wether it's "small" or "large". A great many in LE have indeed switched to something larger or back to something smaller (357 Sig), while some have chosen to stay the same (9mm) and use the better ammunition offered today. Back and forth, round and round.......
Some of the LE agencies issuing or authorizing the 9mm:
NYPD
NY Sher. dept.
NJSP
Philadelhpia PD
LVMPD
LAPD
San Bernadino PD
SDPD
Santa Clara PD
Palm Bay Fl. PD
U.S. Customs
Atlanta Ga. PD
ect. ect.......
Best, jnb01