At its Tuesday monthly meeting, the New Haven Police Commission voted to update the department’s firearms policy, replacing the 2016 order with a new directive that makes Glock 45 pistols equipped with pistol‑mounted red‑dot optics the standard sidearm for every full‑time officer.

Why the change matters

Commissioner Captain Michael Fumiatti highlighted that the Glock 45 is “widely regarded as one of the better firearms in the industry.” The shift mirrors a broader trend in law‑enforcement and the military toward optics that allow faster sight alignment, especially under stress. Officer Christian Bruckhart, the department’s spokesperson, explained that the red‑dot scope shines an LED visible only to the shooter, improving aim and overall marksmanship.

Key provisions of the new order

• All full‑time officers will be issued the Glock 45 with a pistol‑mounted red‑dot optic.
• Officers must verify that the optic is turned on and functional before each shift.
• Optic batteries are to be replaced annually.
• Each officer will receive a firearm‑locking device to accompany the issued weapon.
• Any discharge of a firearm, whether on‑ or off‑duty, must be reported within 24 hours, except during training exercises.

The 24‑hour reporting window replaces the previous policy, which had no time limit. Bruckhart said the new timeframe balances the need for timely notification with compassion for officers who may be dealing with injury or emotional distress after an incident.

Alignment with accreditation standards

The revisions were made at the recommendation of Police Chief David Zannelli and the commission, in order to stay consistent with standards set by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and Connecticut’s Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST). Both agencies encourage regular updates to general orders to reflect evolving best practices.

Future policy reviews

Commissioner Fumiatti noted that the board is now turning its attention to other general orders, including those governing use of force, artificial intelligence applications, and automatic license‑plate readers. The department aims to keep all policies current with POST and CALEA guidelines.

Overall, the new firearms order modernizes New Haven’s police equipment while adding clear safety and accountability measures, reinforcing the department’s commitment to professional standards and community safety.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.