MPD officer recruits get new service weapons following accidental discharge incidents

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Over a month ago, the city of Milwaukee announced that they would replace their service weapon, the Sig Sauer P320, after several fired on their own, injuring several officers. On Wednesday, new police recruits got their hands on a new and safer service weapon.

"What we're seeing here today is a Milwaukee Police Department that is embracing change, a Milwaukee Police Department that's improving the good of the members of the department and for the good of the entire community," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman said the police department will be switching from Sig Sauer P320 guns to Glock 45s as they are a similar 9 mm gun and supposedly safer.

"The Glock was the choice in regards to that, not only having the reliability but also availability," said Chief Norman.

This response comes after the Milwaukee Police Association took legal action against the city after an officer's gun discharged on its own while in the holster. An officer nearby was injured.

Officers have reported malfunctions with the Sig Sauer P320 before. When Chief Norman was asked why the sudden response now, he said it was the severity of injury to the officers.

"With the recent unexplained discharges there, there became more urgency. The discharges before were- are still unexplained, but they didn't have the injuries behind it like we're seeing right now," said Chief Norman.

The price tag is over $450,000, and the majority of funds will be used from the asset forfeiture funds.

All firearms are expected to be replaced by the spring.

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