Police rifles

[stuckinsocal]

Hi everybody. I'm currently a college student majoring in criminal justice with an emphasis on law enforcement.

The assignment for one of my criminal justice classes is on police weapons. I'm focusing it on police rifles; types in use, policies on when they can be used, ammunition, optics, etc. I'd like to find some police agencies that issue, or allow the use of personally owned rifles, besides the Ar-15 and Mini 14. They're a great rifles, but I think it would be more encompassing if I could write about at least a few other rifles. I've heard of some depts. using the M1a Scout, Los Altos CA I think. Alos others like the FAL, m1 carbine, or just about anything other than the Mini 14 or Ar-15 as I think it would make for a boring read to only list those two. Does anybody have any information on different rifles in use by police departments? A specific dept. would be helpful too so I could email them for some more info.
Thanks

 

[H2O MAN]

What does your local PD have?

 

[stuckinsocal]

They only issue the 870 shotugn. But they allow personally owned Ar-15s.

 

[Norinco982lover]

What about the sniper rifles the SWAT teams use? I think they are usually bolt action lightweight rifles...not sure what models tho.

~Norinco

 

[Ben Shepherd]

When my younger brother was on the local SWAT team as the sniper, he was allowed to use his personal Rem 700 PSS in 308.

 

[cluttonfred]

I think a quick search here in THR in Rifle Country using the term "patrol rifle" in quotes should yield some info. There have also been a lot of articles in the law enforcement press on the pros and cons or rifles vs. shotguns, pistol caliber vs. intermediate caliber longarms, etc. Good luck!

 

[Big_E]

I would actually like to know the policy on when to use rifles as well. Here the sheriff and PD carry m4geries in the patrol cars along w/ 870's but you rarely see them pull the rifle.

But that is probably because of over penetration in neighborhoods. Trust me, when my city's PD shoots at someone they shoot... a lot... (about 80 shots fired and anywhere from 1 to a few actually hit the target.

I also believe that some of the LEO's out in the boonies areas carry lever actions in the patrol car but that is if an agency doesn't have a nice budget.

 

[cbrgator]

I know the Broward County Sheriff's Office in Broward County, FL allows officers to use their own AR-15's if they choose.

 

[kmcintosh78]

When I was a LEO in AZ, the local PD did not allow personal firearms, with the exception of a backup handgun (Had to be a glock).
They did issue the Plain Jane version of the Remmy 870, for 12G, and Non-lethal.
Patrol rifles issues were AR15's for marksman, and the Remmy 700 in 308 for SWAT Snipers.
Swat tactical entry teams were issued MP5's, chambered in 40SW.

 

[Trebor]

The Novi Mich PD uses Sig 550's.

 

[rcmodel]

I have a friend who retired from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

He carried a personal Marlin 1894P .44 mag lever-gun for several years in the trunk of his car.

I also bet you would be amazed at how many Winchester 94 30-30s would fall out if you picked up all the sheriffs and HP cars here in the mid-west and shook them!

rc

 

[Angeho]

I think several states, like South Carolina, use the FNH PS90.

 

[Country_boy_88]

outside of work i have never seen any law enforcement carry a ps90. Cost would be a major factor for most agencies since the gun is assembled in belgium.

As far as the rifles The FN SPR(special police rifle) is a beast of a gun and from the orders ive seen, someone is buying them.

The local city police have allowed some of their senior officers to carry Ar15s in the car with them locked to their rack. I have never seen their "swat" teams equipment

 

[22lr]

Dont forget the MP5, Mossberg 500, and a local department uses the Winchester riot gun (1300 I believe but not sure on exact model).

I know of one officer who used a old double barrel 12ga.


Good luck from a fellow CJ student.

 

[kdstrick]

I have one of these. It is a .308, based on the same basic platform as the 870. Apparently, this makes it easier to train with seeing as many departments are already familiar with the design.

I can only speak to its effectiveness as a 'truck gun' in hog country. It works great! Very accurate, but the short thin barrel heats up fast and the groups start growing after 3 shots or so. Here is a pic I found.

 

[gunnutery]

I assume your report is already done with, but I've read some articles on lever guns being used as patrol rifles. I think they were personally owned rifles. I carry my personal Mini14 on patrol, but if I didn't have that I'd probably carry a Winchester 94.

 

[LiquidTension]

Our department policy on when to use rifles:

NEVER. Do not use them, do not carry them, and we're not going to issue them. Same for shotguns. Only firearms allowed are issue Glock 22s and personally owned .40 caliber Glocks that you have qualified with.

 

[franconialocal]

A number of years ago when our PD got it's first tactical/special response rifle it was a laser sighted Norinco SKS. This was sighted at 0/0 so that everyone had the same sight picture as there was only one rifle for everyone to use. It could not be personalized. They would just use whatever ammo they could get in 7.62x39 and the brands/grain varied. This was before NH Police Standards and Training (NHPSTC) tried to standardize the use of patrol rifles statewide (thinking about liability, consistency, etc.) and went with the AR platform for the most part. Recently the state reversed, to an extent, and now leaves the caliber decision and method of carry up to the individual departments and towns. For example, a nearby PD is now using the new Springfield SOCOM II which will be fairly unique in this area.

 

[HB]

I live in St. Louis.

The St. Louis City police department issues the Beretta 9mm carbines and Remington 870s in squad cars.
Most STL County cars for an AR-15 and a shotgun as do many other departments.
Vinita Park cars sometimes have MP5s and always a shot gun. VP is in Normandy basically, so they might have MP5s too.