City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  January 15, 2008

Item No.:        

Recommendation:  That the Common Council approve the Police Department’s purchase of nine (9) Pro-Series Government (Model AR9205) .223 rifles from Rock River Arms, Inc. to be used by the Emergency Response Unit at a total cost of $19,449.

Background:   The utilization of the .223 caliber rifle platform by Emergency Response Units has become the “industry standard” throughout the nation. Due to the increased number of suspects utilizing body armor, it has been increasingly important for officers to have a rifle which will penetrate body armor. The Emergency Response Unit is currently utilizing three “hybrid” .223 rifles which were surplus rifles acquired through “Operation Northstar” several years ago. These rifles are considerably aged, as they are Vietnam era  rifles and have been utilizing components from several different rifles. The nine AR9205 .223 rifles would replace the three hybrid .223 rifles. It is important to note that the .223 rifle is the standard issue rifle for our nation’s armed forces which makes maintenance and the cost of maintaining the rifles extremely low due to the familiarity of the weapons and ease of procuring spare parts. The service life of these rifles should exceed ten (10) years or more.

Fiscal Impact:  The total cost for nine (9) Pro-Series Government (Model AR9205) .223 rifles is $19,449. This item was approved as part of the Police Department’s C.E.P. program in the 2008 budget.

	Respectfully submitted, Patrick DeGrave City Administrator
Prepared by: Thomas P. Bauer Chief of Police
Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk