The new service pistol is being rolled out over the next two to three years.
Richmond Mounties will soon have a new gun on their hips.
The RCMP is rolling out its new pistol, a Glock 45 MOS 7, to replace the Smith & Wesson 5946 they’ve been using for about 30 years.
It’s expected to take two to three years to roll out the new pistol for all RCMP officers across Canada.
Training priority will be given to frontline officers, according to the RCMP.
The cost of training each officer is about $1,760, according to a memo from the Union of BC Municipalities.
The Richmond detachment is authorized to have 320 officers at the Richmond detachment (numbers may vary due to vacancies, leaves and other reasons). Training 320 Mounties to use the new pistol would cost about $560,000.
The RCMP describes the Glock 45 MOS 7 as a “lighter, more modern sidearm with improved tactical and safety features such as compatibility with optics and weapon-mounted lights.”
According to the manufacturer, it uses a nine-millimetre calibre bullet.
These features are expected to support “operational effectiveness, ease of use and officer safety” across a wide range of working environments, the RCMP said in a statement.
“This replacement is part of the RCMP’s ongoing equipment modernization efforts and will provide members with a modern, reliable service firearm…,” the RCMP said.
source: Richmond News photo: RCMP
