posted on Aug, 11 2010 @ 01:48 PM
This is relatively common nationwide. most agencies issue their officers/deputies/troopers/agents with a agency issued pistol but if they wish to
carry a rifle or shotgun on patrol (if the agency's regulations even allow it) then they must purchase it with their own money.
In the NYPD for example, only officers assigned to to the Highway Patrol Bureau (NYPD Highway Patrol officers work solo as opposed to in pairs/groups
as is the norm in the NYPD) and certain specialized detective squads are issued shotguns. Only officers assigned to the Emergency Services Unit and
Tactical Response Teams are issued with rifles, submachine guns, etc.
In my local police department, only patrol supervisors (ex. sergeants and lieutenants) carry tazers and AR-15 rifles in their vehicles. Officers
assigned to the Emergency Services Section also have access to tazers, the AR-15, shotguns, and the H&K MP5 submachine gun as well.