America's Oldest Police Department Adopts the SIG P320
SIG Sauer has announced that Virginia’s Division of Capitol Police has selected the SIG Sauer P320. Virginia Division of Capitol Police can lay claim to being the US’ oldest police department, established during the 17th century when the Colony of Virginia was first founded. The department conducts both uniform patrols but also oversees the personal protection of the state Governor. It appears Virginia’s Capitol Police have selected the P320 Nitron Full-Size pistol, in an undisclosed calibre.
Here’s SIG Sauer’s statement in full:
SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the Virginia Division of Capitol Police has selected the SIG SAUER P320 as their official duty firearm. The Virginia Division of Capitol Police provides law enforcement for the State of Virginia Capitol Complex, and protective services for the Governor and Virginia’s First Family, the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, the Justices of Virginia’s Supreme Court, and members of the Virginia legislature. The Virginia Division of Capitol Police traces its roots to 1618 and the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, and is celebrating the department’s 400 year anniversary in 2018.
“The amount of positive feedback we have received from our officers about the SIG SAUER P320 pistol has been remarkable. Overwhelmingly, my officers have noted the overall comfort of their new P320 and we are seeing it in higher range scores,” began Col. Anthony S. Pike, Chief, Virginia Capitol Police. “Overall, we could not be more pleased with our transition to the P320 as our official duty firearm as we carry out our mission to protect and serve the Capitol of the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
The P320 is a modular, striker-fired pistol available in full-size, carry, compact, and subcompact sizing. The serialized trigger group makes the P320 adaptable to multiple caliber, size, and grip options. The P320 is available in 9mm, .357SIG, 40S&W, and .45ACP, with a choice of contrast, or SIGLITE Night Sights. The intuitive 3-point takedown requires no trigger pull for disassembly, and safety features include a striker safety, disconnect safety, and optional manual safety.
“It’s an honor to welcome a department with such historical significance into the fold of the SIG SAUER Law Enforcement family, and we are pleased to earn the confidence of the men and women of the Virginia Division of Capitol Police with their acquisition of the P320 pistol as their official duty firearm,” added Tom Jankiewicz, Executive Vice President, Law Enforcement Sales, SIG SAUER Inc.
Managing Editor: TheFirearmBlog.com & Overt Defense.com. Matt is a British historian specialising in small arms development and military history. He has written several books and for a variety of publications in both the US and UK. Matt is also runs The Armourer's Bench, a video series on historically significant small arms. Here on TFB he covers product and current military small arms news. Reach Matt at: matt@thefirearmblog.com
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Just once, I want to open up TFB and see a police department that's adopted a really crazy choice for a service handgun.
Like a Coonan .357.
Or a STI 2011 in 9x25 Dillon.
Or a .44 Automag.
I remember when the FBI adopted the S&W 1076 in 10mm and everyone was like, *spit take* "That's freakin' awesome!"
C'mon...something besides Glawk, S&W, or SIG!
They will regret it. Oh, wait, this the District of Cobumbia (sic). That explains a lot.