Research -- Calling all LEOs

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Aguila Blanca

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I have been asked to compile, as well as possible, information on who is currently using the 1911 in an official capacity today. I know about the FBI hostage team and I know about LAPD SWAT. Beyond that, if any LEOs are in or know of agencies that either issue, or authorize the carry of, the 1911 ... I would greatly appreciate a PM with the statistics.

What I would need to know is, name and location of agency (naturally); is the 1911 agency issue, and if so is it the only issue duty weapon, or one of a couple or more options; if it is authorized but the officer must provide his/her own 1911, is it authorized for uniform duty carry, plainclothes concealed carry, or only for off-duty carry? Or is it only for special units, like SWAT?

If your agency issues or authorizes the 1911, do you carry cocked-and-locked, or some other mode? Does the agency care?

Is any 1911 allowed, or is the authorization limited to certain brands?

Many thanks in advance
 
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There is a post in the LEO forum @ 1911forum.com ref. this same topic that will help. Ray
 
In SoCal I know for sure that... PomonaPD, ArcadiaPD, Long BeachPD all carry 1911s, C/L, issued. The first 2 are Colts and the LBPD guys I ran into were carrying ParaOrds.

Dan
 
From my neck of the woods:

City of Tacoma, WA: 1911's authorized for issue (Kimber), dept. issue, holsters, ammo, support equipment provided.

City of Auburn, WA: 1911's authorized for duty use. Officers must provide their own, and a suitable duty holster. Ammunition is provided.

Pierce County Sheriff's Office: 1911 type handguns authorized for duty use. Same as Auburn, WA.

Puyallup Tribal Police (my dept.) 1911's authorized for use; officers must provide an authorized holster (Level II minimum); otherwise, same as Auburn, WA.
 
Torrance (CA) was predominantly a 1911-carry agency, until they transitioned to Glocks. After numerous AD's during the transitional training, the department ALMOST gave up on Glocks. Several officers opted to continue carrying 1911's. Cocked and locked.

By the way, one particular Torrance PD officer is still alive because he was carrying a 1911 that was cocked and locked. He was over-powered during a scuffle with a crazy man inside a shopping mall. The man was able to disarm the officer, and aimed it at the dazed officer while trying to pull the trigger. He didn't know that the thumb release had to be pushed to fire the weapon. Several male shoppers tackled the crazed/armed man, and held him down until the officer was able to handcuff him and retrieve his 1911.

For several years, there has been a "Glock-mania" within law enforcement. I'm not sure if this has been good OR bad. The current "trend", however, seems to be steering AWAY from the "Glock-mania".

I don't think that the 1911-styled pistols will ever become a major "trend" in law enforcement, unless they are chambered for the .40 cal, have lighter overall weight (polymers?) AND are both SA/DA firing modes....and maybe toss in 12+ round magazine capacity.
 
The sheriff in the neighboring county carries a 1911 cocked and locked in a thumb break holster (the thumb break strap goes under the hammer).

I guess they can carry whatever they want ... there's two guys to watch out for a county of about 900 people 24/7. ;)
 
It won't be long before lots will switch.

When the next trend comes along, police depts usually follow. Whether ammo, gun caliber, or holsters, police now generally try to arm troops with the best available. There has been a gradual escalation up in caliber, with many carrying glocks in .40 and .45. When if finally dawns on some of the powers in control that the glock is very dangerous for police use, and the 1911 is far superior in safety, the switch will become general.
 
My hometown of Bessemer, AL does authorize the use of 1911's as made
by a quality manufactuer'er; such as Colt, Kimber, Para, etc. But,
the department is so grossly under funded that said officers MUST buy
their own weapon.:( And, YES the officers that use the 1911 on and
off duty carry them in condition #1.:D
 
Denver PD allows Colt ser 80, ParaOrd, and used to allow Kimber, but no more.

We're also allowed to carry our HK USPs condition one.

I believe Aurora and a few other agencies around here allow Colts.
 
Mt Vernon IL PD used to issue the Colt Officers ACP in stainless. They have since switched to another pistol however some of the old timers still carry the 1911 type.

I carry a Kimber Warrior as a duty weapon, but we have a policy that permits a number of weapons. Several deputies on the Marion County Sheriffs Dept also carry 1911s, but they have a lot of latitude too. I believe Mt Vernon was the only PD in Southern Illinois to issue them.

Jeff
 
Thank you all. Between this and the thread over on TFL, it's a good start. Time to see if I can put the training from my adult ed class on MS-Access to use ... I need a way to list, sift and sort the data
 
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