Greensburg to buy new K9 unit, 32 handguns for police department

The Greensburg Police Department is gearing up to replace several pieces of equipment over the next few months.

Council members approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford Interceptor for use by the department’s K-9 unit. They also approved the purchase of 32 Glock 9 mm handguns.

Both purchases will be covered largely by grant funding and various donations.

According to police Chief Shawn Denning, the handguns will replace .45-caliber guns officers are using. He said studies conducted by larger police departments determined that shot placement with the 9 mm handguns is more effective. The handguns also are more cost efficient, Denning said.

He added that the switch to Glock 9 mm handguns is a current trend in policing. The Secret Service in 2019 switched from Sig Sauer .357-caliber weapons to Glock 9 mm pistols, ABC News reported. The decision was made after several government agencies, as well as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago police departments, made similar moves.

Officials at the time attributed the switch to improvements in 9 mm technology and ammunition that made the weapon smaller and lighter.

In Greensburg, the switch will cost almost $5,700 after trade-ins. The bulk of that cost will be covered by an anonymous donor.

The guns will be used for the next 10 to 15 years, Denning said.

“It’s great that the community comes together and helps like that,” he said.

Officers will receive the guns within the next 30 to 90 days.

In addition, the new vehicle for the K-9 unit will arrive before June. It will be used by Patrolman Ken Burke and police dog Ace. Ace was one of two police dogs purchased by the city in June for $11,000, plus $2,800 in shipping. Costs were covered with funding from the district attorney’s office.

The city plans to use another set of funds from the district attorney’s office to cover the almost $34,150 cost for the vehicle.

Officials are working with Kenny Ross Ford in Adamsburg.

The purchase will free up another vehicle that was converted for use by the K-9 unit.

That now will be used by Zeke, who came to the department in August after police dog Enzo retired because of non-life-threatening health problems.