The Courier of Montgomery County reports that in regard to retiring Montgomery County peace officers having the ability to purchase department-issued service weapons, Montgomery County Commissioners have set a $50 purchase price.
At the Tuesday meeting, Assistant County Attorney Amy Davidson said law officers purchasing their handguns is not a new thing, it has become recently suitable for Montgomery County.
County Judge Mark Keough inquired about setting up a fair market price. Davidson, however, said that would require handgun appraisal, which would be too costly.
Texas Municipal Police Association President Kevin Lawrence said in a previous Houston Chronicle article that it was the standard norm of purchasing the weapon when he first began in law enforcement, but more departments now have changed to “department issued firearms.”
Retiring police officers, according to state law, may purchase their service weapons, but local officials must decide on a price that is not more than fair market value.
The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office began issuing firearms in 2018, especially the Glock 17, according to Sheriff’s Office Lt. Scott Spencer. He said using a standard firearm makes training consistent, simplifies maintenance and it allows deputies to work together with confidence in knowing their using “the same tools.”
