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 City of Hermosa Beach --- 12-09-97
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE PURCHASE OF AR-15 RIFLES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council award a bid to Keisler Police Supply, Inc. of Jeffersonville, Indiana for the purchase of eight (8) AR-15 rifles for the Police Department.
Background:
The Police Department has a current inventory of only two (2) AR-15 rifles. These rifles were seized during the course of some criminal investigations. The police department recently obtained court orders to have these weapons turned over to the police department inventory. The Department has allowed officers to carry their personal AR-15 rifles after having qualified with their weapons in an approved range qualification. This practice has been in place for the past few years.
Analysis:
Staff has noted with great alarm an increase in violent criminal incidents involving tremendous displays of firepower. While this community has been very fortunate in not having suffered such violent confrontations, Staff has felt the need to provide police officers with the training and the tools to counter such potential threats. In an incident where criminals are heavily armed, the first responders are uniformed patrol officers. It is important that these officers have access to weapons to counter such threats and to protect themselves and the citizens of the community. The AR-15 rifle is a weapon that can provide comparable if not superior firepower to the police officer.
Formal bids were sent out to prospective vendors. The bid was properly posted in the local paper on November 6 and 13, 1997. A total of two (2) vendors submitted sealed bids by November 20, 1997. Kiesler Police Supply Inc. of Jeffersonville, Indiana submitted the lowest bid of $5150.00 (price does not include sales tax). Staff recommends that Kiesler Police Supply be awarded the bid to provide these rifles to the Police Department, The purchase of these rifles was authorized at the City Council meeting of September 23, 1997 when the COPS funding was approved.
Fiscal Impact:
The Police Department budgeted a total of $12,445.00 for the purchase and outfitting of these rifles. Ammunition and additional accessories will be purchased separately.
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