Savannah Standard

In a move aimed at enhancing recruit training, the Savannah Police Department is set to introduce 500 new firearms equipped with red-dot sights. This technology will be incorporated to help recruits improve their shooting skills, addressing concerns over their performance during training at the police academy.

According to The Current GA, City Manager Jay Melder said during a city council meeting: "“What we see often is that weapons proficiency is the number one reason for attrition at our academy. It’s going to help with the successful completion of academy."

Savannah Police plan to replace 500 Glock pistols with red-dot sight-equipped handguns to improve recruits' shooting test performance and enhance accuracy. The city council approved $371,334 for the new weapons despite some misleading statistics, as failing gun tests were not a significant issue for Savannah recruits. The fate of the old pistols, including their potential resale, remains unclear, raising questions about the policy of reducing the number of firearms on the streets. Savannah police plan to introduce 500 new firearms to aid recruits in passing their academy training.

The Current GA reported that in October 2022, Smith & Wesson offered Savannah a unique deal for new firearms, aiming to transition the department from Glock handguns with a one-for-one exchange and optic discounts. By 2023, a pending agreement with Clyde Armory, owned by U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, outlined the acquisition of new pistols and red-dot sights, with the company buying back the older police handguns.

Victory First states that adding a red dot to a handgun can enhance accuracy and speed, especially at longer distances. Red dots simplify aiming by allowing shooters to focus on the threat and place the dot at the target's center for improved precision while manipulating the trigger.

The Current GA cited a 2018 U.S. Army study, focused on military rifles, which found that red-dot sights showed superior accuracy at longer distances, while there was little difference between iron sights and red-dot sights within the military's close range definition (100 meters or less).

According to The Current GA report, the Savannah Police Department is scheduled to begin the transition to their new weapons system in 2024.