Covington City Commission gave the police department permission to seek $100,000 in grant funding to pay for new firearms on Tuesday after learning that the department’s current fleet of pistols is no longer in production.
The grant, which the department will apply for from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, would cover 100 Glock pistols.
“We are in a very strange position with our firearm in that SIG Sauer is no longer producing the firearm that we currently carry,” Chief Brian Valenti told the city commission. “So, we’re basically being forced to change platforms.”
Valenti told LINK nky that the department currently uses the SIG Sauer Legion P226 as its service sidearm.
To ensure uniformity across the department and avoid supply problems, the chief recommended updating the force to more readily available pistols from Glock.
A complete firearm package, which includes the gun itself as well as the holster and other accessories, costs about $1,100, Valenti said, although the grant could be used to purchase the pistols only. The previous pistols would be sold off.
The grant has no matching requirement, so the city would not need to contribute any money in order for the state to disburse the funds.
“If we don’t get the grant awarded, we will not be spending the money,” Valenti said.