LCP

On March 1, 2011, LAPD authorized .380 semi-auto pistols for off-duty and on-duty back-up use.



In order to encourage officers to carry back-up and off-duty firearms, as well as to take
advantage of the technological advances in firearm and ammunition construction, the
Department has authorized the following .380 caliber pistols and ammunition:

Approved Pistols
Ruger LCP, caliber .380
Smith and Wesson Bodyguard, caliber .380 (LAPD SKU ONLY, no manual safety)

Approved Ammunition
Hornady Critical Defense, .380 caliber, 90 grain load

In order to deploy either of these firearms, officers must first successfully shoot the
Department's "Back-Up Qualification Course", at either the Davis Training Facility or the
Elysian Park Police Academy. The "Back-Up Qualification Course" must be shot with
Department approved .380 ammunition only. Officers must supply their own duty ammunition
for the qualification course and for deployment in the pistol. Upon completion of the "Back-Up
Qualification Course" of fire, officers shall take their qualification receipt to the Department
Armory and have the pistol entered on to the Department's Firearms Inventory and Tracking
System (FITS).

The Smith and Wesson pistols are equipped at the factory with a laser aiming module. This laser
module must be disabled by the Department Armorer, prior to the pistol's deployment. The
Armorer will disable the laser module by removing the batteries; there will be no permanent
modification to the pistol. Once these procedures are met, officers will be certified to carry the
.380 pistol for back-up and off-duty use. These .380 pistols are an optional individual officer
purchase. Therefore, the pistols will not be maintained by the Department armory. If a pistol
becomes unserviceable, the officer must return the pistol to the manufacturer for repair. Once
these repairs are completed by the factory they must be verified by the Department Armory, prior
to the pistol being redeployed. Additionally, the Department will not supply any .380 caliber
ammunition.

If only they would make the bodyguard without the laser..

Pretty cool, I really like my LCP (now that Ruger's support has taken care of the issues).

Yeah, gee whiz, the laser may blind the suspect before they shoot them.
Why does LAPD dislike the laser so much?
No wonder one can hardly find a S & W Bodyguard anywhere.
When I was in LE, you could carry the backup of your choice. The only requirement was that one had to qualify with that particular weapon (which involved shooting a qualification course tailored specifically for a backup weapon). The serial # and make and model of one's backup was recorded and the qualification results for liability and documentation purposes.
IMHO it is the epitome of arrogance for a particular PD to decide what backup one decides to use (and have to purchase oneself) and its particular ammunition.
I smell a kickback.