LAPD May 14, 1986 LA times article of interest

[bridgeport]

I was just perusing some 80's LA times articles and found this:

http://articles.latimes.com/1986-05-14/local/me-5329_1_police-officers

[micro911]

I was issued a revolver, Smith & Wesson model 67 38 Special caliber, in 1986. Then, they issued me a Beretta 92F in 1990, and let me buy my issued revolver for $165.

[IrishJoe3]

The only opposition expressed at Tuesday's meeting came from American Civil Liberties Union attorney Catherine Leslie, who expressed concern that criminals might try to match the department's upgraded firepower.

I see the ACLU was backwards back then, too

[I Swan]

I like how Gates said 9mm bullets are less likely to go through walls than 38. Also wasn't Davis also in opposition to LAPD issuing hollow points because his reasoning was he knew some officers would be shot with their own guns and he didn't want them to be hurt as badly?

[Bobby Ricigliano]

While that was a milestone in law enforcement, the adoption of a semi-automatic was not remotely the panacea that people thought it would be. From the risk management side of law enforcement, there was a righteous concern that "spray and pray" tactics would occur, but they didn't because LAPD and all the other major departments provide excellent training. Recruits and officers are reminded frequently that they own every round they fire and backdrops are always a mandatory consideration.

Also, then as now, any cop going into harm's way would have nothing but abject contempt for the politicians and lawyers who made those ridiculous counter-arguments against them adopting a semi-auto.

[AdiosKali]

Gates was the last real chief the LAPD had. Dude in there today is nothing more than a politician.