Suffolk County Police issue a Glock 19....

S

swat575

Inactive
Hello Community,

I am debating a future purchase of a new Glock 19 from a local gun shop and the main reason for my doubt is this:

Should a civilian train with the same equipment as the local Police Department if they were aspiring to get on the job?


I scored an outstanding grade of 100% on the Suffolk County Police Department test out here on Long Island, New York. This score put me into the top 3% out of 30,000 candidates that took this the test. I am kind of buying the pistol as a that-a-boy present to myself for doing so good.

I was going to purchase the Glock 19 (county issue for uniformed carry and the 26 is for off duty or plain clothes officers) to get a heads up on training with my hopefully future sidearm. On Long Island we can not concealed carry unless we are Law Enforcement so that is out of the question unless I am hired. The only reason I am going to purchase this firearm is for paper punching by means of speed/target acquisition drills at the range. I would like to be as proficient as possible with their known sidearm before I get into the academy.

Thank you for your opinions,

-DM
 
Practicing with a G19 off the clock will help you if you get the job, since you've said that a G19 is standard issue? Yes, unless you can use the department's G19 anytime. Then you could save about $480.
 
I'd go with the G-26 and practice with it. Why have two G19 if you're hired? Do only target shooting with the G-26 because if the background investigator learns that you shoot, he's going to check whether you're a Rambo minded individual (too anxious to have guns) or a gentleman shooter. So, if you get one, don't even get a holster. Get a RSC to secure it at home as that will demonstrate responsibility to the background investigator. Now, if the background investigator doesn't learn about your shooting activity, don't volunteer it. If he does, be casual and say its for fun.
 
Not to burst your bubble but 3% out of 30,000 is 900. That is still a high number of applicants. Practicing with any Glock makes sense due to the high number of departments that issue or allow them for duty use. It seems that the Glock is like the S&W revolver of awhile ago when it comes to police handguns. Years ago before semi-auto pistols became the norm most police/sheriff departments carried the S&W revolver. Good luck on you dreams. Dreams give us all something to look toward in our lives. Stay safe.
 
I personally aspire to become a police officer as well, after I gain a bit of maturity and grow a few years wiser to the world.

My very first purchase was a Glock 17, and one of the top 3 reasons that influenced me going the tupperware route was that Reno and Sparks police departments issue this weapon. I figured shooting it over the next few years would make me an expert of sorts, and I'd be very comfortable when qualification day arrived.

Our police have a choice of carrying a personal weapon from an approved list of sidearms, or simply carrying the dept issue Glock. I figure I'll carry my own G17 since I don't want a used one that some officer before me didn't care for properly. The only weapon I'd be interseted in carrying on duty is the one I buy New In Box and care for religiously starting day 1.

If you buy anything, Glock should be at the top of your list anyway! Best starting pistol, IMO. :D
 
About the odds of getting on.........

357 Python:
Not to burst your bubble but 3% out of 30,000 is 900. That is still a high number of applicants.
Click to expand...

Nevertheless, there is no bubble to burst because I am tied in first place with over eight hundred other applicants. That is why I am in the top 3%.
The way they hire from eight hundred and ninety officers in first place is by the rule of three. The last four of our social security numbers are placed numerically on a list and every third person is canvassed in a systematic fashion. The reason for this is that JOHN APPLE should not get the job over BILLY ZORN because his last name starts with an "A".

The reason I know all this information is because I made it all the way through the hiring process in LE in this county and had to decline the job because of money issues. The starting salary for that particular position was only $40,000 a year (vs. the $60,000 for SCPD). Thank you for the information on practicing though Mr. 357 Python (Great gun btw).


4V50 Gary:
I'd go with the G-26 and practice with it. Why have two G19 if you're hired?
Click to expand...

You got me thinking there Gary, the G26 is just a shorter framed G19. In addition if I got on the job and had the G26, it is approved for backup gun. Thank you Gary for your insight on this matter.

Everyone Be Safe,

-DM
 
IMHO I would not apply for a pistol permit in NY in your situation in a round about unfair bizarre NY system it could mess up your job chances. The application process requires not only a massive background check on you but also two references and then is quite subject to the processors mood and opinion.If something goes bad in the process like an issue with the references you could get turned down which will be a red flag during the job background check.Some call me paranoid but I would wait until you find out about the job, if you get it then owning and shooting pistols in NY becomes much easier if you don't then you can apply and enjoy shooting as a hobby. On a side note in NY a law abiding citizen had to jump through these hoops to own a pistol but on a conner 5 minutes from where I used to live you could pick up a Illegal pistol and some crack any day of the week without even getting out of your car.
 
Harrigan:

Everything you said about the crack and illegal guns is CORRECT. I live in a nice part of Suffolk County but a ten minute ride west of my home is crack houses and prostitutes. Guns are cheap on the streets out here, that is part of the reason why I would like to be a LEO. My family does not do as well as me and still lives in that crappy neighborhood. I want to clean up the skells around that area, one day it will happen.

About the permit, I understand your views and opinions on that matter but nevertheless, I waited three years because I viewed it the same way. Since then I have received my pistol permit and purchased many guns in the past three years that I have had it.

Thank you for your concern though,

-DM
 
As a retired LEO, I would advise you to wait until you get hired. They will train you in how they want you to shoot. Shooting is a very small portion of what you will need.

I would advise you to check out other Police Departments. Find the one with the best benifits and retirement system. Look at promotions and potential for moving into other positions. Do some investigating. Talk to Officers on the job. Many Departments are looking for good men. Yesterday on the way home from Little Rock, AR I saw a billboard advertising for Police Officers. Los Angeles is also hurting. Be flexible.

There is nothing wrong with owning a pistol and shooting any pistol that will get you over the flinch will help. But like the previous poster said, you don't want to give them a Rambo impression.
 
Hard to beat Suffolk Counties pay and benefit package. Average salary is OVER 100K a year, and all the benefits you could ask for. That's why we enjoy sky high property taxes here. (Although mainly it's because of the teachers, who also average more than 100K a year).

Long Islands great. :eek:
 
As a Federal LEO I would tell you to not try and get a gun in New York while applying for an LEO job. I would also not worry about learning how to shoot until you get to the Academy.

They, your employer, will teach you how to shoot the way they want you to shoot. After you have the job, then you can look in to shooting more and getting different and more guns.

My first purchase, after getting the job and getting through the Academy, would be a BUG. My second purchase would be a gun for off duty carry that is on the approved list. This is how you can start to build up a nice selection of guns in a short time frame.

Good luck and stay safe.

Biker
 
Thank You!

Thank you everyone again for the great responses.

However I would like to restate the fact that I have over a dozen firearms already. I did also say that I do not own any semi-auto handguns. That is where I want to go next.

I do not see the difference between my S&W Model 10 M&P's, 49 bodyguard, 686, ect. and a new Glock. You know what I mean?

I THANK EVERYONE for the information and support. I also take everything you guys say to heart but I already have firearms.

Thank you everyone,

Be safe,

-DM
 
Sure, go ahead and pick a 19 up. No reason not to that I can come with and familiarization with a given gun is never a bad thing.
 
Yippee!!

I did purchase the Glock 19 today. It was a great feelling purchasing my first brand new handgun. What a wonderful world it is.

I will start a new thread with Gun Porn and the details.

Be safe,

-DM
 
Best choice anyway

The G19 is best choice anyway. I know no more versatile and handy gun which is also as reliable and has so much firepower.
 
Here's another vote for the G26. Makes sense to have a backup if you get employed, and the practice with the G26 will only make the G19 easier to shoot when you get hired. Best of luck - I have many relatives who were SCPD (including the former Chief of Detectives) - they're a very good group of guys...

Regards,

Kevin
 
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