Recently retired Plymouth police officer Ted Brown will be able to purchase his service weapon following the action of the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety and the City Council Monday evening.
Members of the Board of Work approved a resolution that designated the handgun as surplus property and authorized the transfer of the weapon from the police department to the retiring officer.
This issue had been tabled at the last meeting in June when former Mayor and Plymouth police officer, Gary Cook inquired on the ability to do a transfer noting that when he retired the city’s policy was not to offer the gun to officers.
A review by City Attorney Sean Surrisi found minutes from an October 1995 Board of Works meeting when mayor Jack Greenlee said, “In the past, police officers were given their revolvers for a token amount upon retirement. Chief Babcock does not wish to take his and this is a good time to change that policy. Revolvers should stay with the department to be issued to new officers. “ A motion was made and approved the change the policy.
In 2010 when Plymouth Police Chief Tom Chamberlin retired from the department the city passed a resolution declaring the weapon surplus and he was able to purchase it for a token payment.
On Monday night the Common Council passed on first reading an amendment to the Code of Ordinances permitting retiring police officers with at least 20 years of service the opportunity to purchase their service handgun for the nominal amount of $1.
The Council will hear 2nd and 3rd reading of the amendment at their next meeting on July 27th.
