Then Cst Snuffy’s HiPoint doesn’t function when needed…
Or goes off in the holster and injury’s him or a bystander. Or falls out of the holster not designed for it, and is attempted to be used by a criminal who can’t because it won’t function.
** I single out HiPoint as two different people tried and failed to shoot me with them.
The Agency needs to test and issue the firearm, and stand behind its choice.
They would, I think I mentioned, have to come up with an approved list that is/should be based on most common ones in use in NA (or at least Canada) - like Glock whatever frame(s), M&P (whatever frames), Springfield, CZ, TP, or whatever, decide on caliber (9mm only, 9mm or .40 or .357 Desert Eagle for all I care) and say "Hey - this is the approved list, here are the different sizes. Try and pick one each for uniform duty and plain clothes/special duty stuff and those are your sidearms now. Here's you money for initial outlay for the gun, a reflex sight, light source +/- laser." An organization as diverse as the RCMP will have a diverse set of hand sizes and body types...
Look at it like this - the NYPD, back in the 80's while they were still using .38 Specials, had a selection of brands and frames for the officers to try out in S&W and Ruger IIRC - different grip and barrel sizes and such and each baby copper got to get a feel for which would likely suit them best, then were issued one based off that selection. They could go with a one size fits all thing, but, unless the gun comes with a pile of different grips to suit the end users, a one size fits all thing will be a failure. At least Glock has a number of different frames that suit open and concealed carry and hand sizes, as does S&W, Sig, Springfield, CZ, I think even Canik TP's have compact frames too.
The Devil will lie in acquisition of course - and since common sense gets tossed out the window when it comes to anything institutional in this country regarding contracts, most people here actually working will be long retired and maybe even in PCH's before they come out with the new platform(s). Take the guess work out - talk to services in the US and Canada that have frequent use of force encounters, see what they use, find out what, if any weapon failures there were + user failures (people having issues with safeties, reloads, magazine retention, etc) and pick a few. Not really rocket science, but it, because we're Canadian, for some reason becomes a PhD thesis in mental and institutional retardation to get things to people that need them.
