Agenda - Council - 08/22/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FC CASE # [ BARRELS FOR M-16 RIFLES By: David Gustafson, Police Chief Background: In I998, City. Council authorized the Police Department to secure six surplus rifles from the U.S. Department of Defense. Since the rifles have arrived, ali officers within the Department have been trained in the use of and are now familiar with these rifles. Attendant accessory equipment such as tactical lights for night use and dual ammo magazines have been purchased fi-om the drug forfeiture account. The funds within this account stem fi-om cash that is seized during narcotics arrests and then later forfeited through the legal process in civil court. The rifles arrived at the Ramsey Police Department with orig/~nal len~h barrels, which were standard issue in the 1960's, and were absent the types of flash suppression devices now available on later model barrels of shorter length. The flash suppression devices are of ~eat potential value if the rifles need to be used at night because they retard the muzzle flash which distorts the shooters night vision capabilities for a few seconds after each round is fired. The barrels we would wish to purchase are three inches shorter, making them much more portable for carrying, but more importantly, for storage and accessibility when in the squad cars. There is sufficient funding within the drug forfeiture account to purchase six barrels at a total cost of $824, including shipping and taxes. Installation would be done by a qualified officer within the Department. Committee Action: Motion to recommend City Council authorize the purchase and installation of the six barrels as described above, using funding from the drug forfeiture account. Reviewed by: Police Chief Finance Officer City Administrator FC: 08/22/00 -3?5-