TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Cale Curtis, City Manager
DATE: October 18, 2023
Title
RESOLUTION - APPROVING WAIVING OF BIDDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN (115) NEW GLOCK 9MM PISTOLS 45MOS AND (135) HOLOSUN 509T X2 SIGHTS WITH ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM LOU'S POLICE DISTRIBUTOR'S, INC. DECLARING GLOCK 45 9MM WITH NIGHT SIGHTS AS SURPLUS TO THE NEEDS OF THE CITY; AUTHORIZING THE SURPLUS PISTOLS AND SIGHTS BE UTILIZED AS A TRADE-IN TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF THE NEW GLOCK PISTOLS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $98,000.00
BACKGROUND: The Margate Police Department conducted research along with testing and evaluations for the replacement of their current primary firearms. Research findings that iron sights rely on the officer to have three focal planes, the front sight, the rear sight, and the target. It requires the front sight to be crisp and clear, while the target is blurry as one eye is open while the other is closed. This poses many issues, being that you cannot clearly see the subject’s hands, and accuracy decreases, especially at distance. This is why iron sights on guns have become a secondary sighting system for many law enforcement agencies. The red dot style sighting system is rapidly becoming the new preferred sighting system for law enforcement officers around the United States. As previously mentioned, staying threat focused is imperative in today’s environment of policing. Red dots allow the officer to have one focal plane, which is the threat. The officer will have full field of view on the threat, and it would superimpose the dot onto the target due to the officer having both eyes open. The use of a red dot system has proven to make shooters more accurate and allow a wider field of view and to stay threat focused during a high stress situation such as having to discharge your weapon in defense of yourself or others.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval
FISCAL IMPACT: State Forfeiture Funds
118-1810-521.30-01
CONTACT PERSON: Joseph Galaska, Chief of Police