PORT ANGELES — Retiring Clallam County law enforcement officers can purchase their trusted duty handguns directly from the county under a new policy commissioners have approved.
The amended policy allows a commissioned deputy who retires in good standing to purchase their career service .40-caliber Glock pistol as used equipment at the manufacturer’s trade-in price.
“This allows an officer to take what is ostensibly an old friend home with him when he retires,” Undersheriff Ron Peregrin said in a short public hearing Tuesday.
“And it also ensures for us that that weapon remain in responsible hands to someone who cares for it.”
Commissioners approved the policy change by 3-0 vote. No public testimony was offered.
Chief Criminal Deputy Ron Cameron said later that most retiring officers want to keep their duty handguns when they retire.
“This cuts out the middle man, essentially, where now we have a very convoluted process in order to try to accomplish that,” Peregrin said.
Proceeds from the sales will go directly into the county’s general fund.
“The weapons are essentially worn out by the time the officer is retiring,” Peregrin added.
“The value of them are diminished significantly due to wear and tear.”
Cameron said county service handguns are fired at training exercises four times per year.
About 250 rounds are fired per exercise.
“That’s about 1,000 rounds, on the minimum side, each year,” Peregrin said.
“In a 30-year career, they have about 30,000 rounds that have gone through them, on the light side. Quite frankly, they have more than that.”
Clallam County Administrator Jim Jones said the county risk pool determined that the change to the property control policy would result in no added liability.
“They think it’s the responsible thing to do,” Jones said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
