I currently work for a small private company in the Richmond, Virginia area that provides private law enforcement and security and specializes in high-crime, low-income apartments. As part of my daily assignments it’s not uncommon to make arrests from simple crimes such as trespassing or open containers to more serious crimes like possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. Most times we are on-sight before police arrive and are more likely to accidently walk into criminal activity than have a heads up from dispatch. We use the term ‘protective service Agent’ for what I do which provides a more professional and versatile definition than just plain security . . .
As part of my daily duty wear, I have a Point Blank vest equipped with Level IIIa soft armor and a level IV ceramic plate in the front. I carry all the usual tools that a police officer would usually have on their duty belt. As a certified EMT, I also carry a very well-stocked IFAK that will act as an active shooter EMS bag, capable of treating traumatic gunshot wound victims.
My primary duty weapon is a GLOCK 22 with 175gr Hornady Critical Duty ammunition. This isn’t an issued weapon, I purchased it myself. I have it equipped with Trijicon’s standard night sights as well as a Hogue Hand-All grip. My choice to carry a 40-caliber handgun, a GLOCK 22 to be exact, didn’t come from the usual “GLOCKs are the best guns in the world and .40 S&W will stop every threat imaginable” standpoint. My choice to carry the GLOCK stems from the fact that it works every time (period) and .40 caliber, while maybe not immensely better than a 9mm, has been the choice of many departments as well as colleagues alike.
While Richmond Police choose to carry the SIG P229 DAK in .357 SIG, both Chesterfield and Henrico County, for the time being, have chosen the GLOCK 22. That means all my magazines are interchangeable. At the same time, most of my fellow co-workers have chosen the G22 as their service pistol and therefore compatibility is very common. Do I believe the 22 is the Savior of the World, the best gun, and end-all be-all gun? Maybe not, but I do believe it works, I shoot it well, it has very good support from Safariland and other holster manufactures. And I know that IF I have to pull the trigger, it will go bang.
As for ammo, I’ve been a Hornady Critical Duty fan since my 9mm days of 135gr +P. While the Critical Duty round isn’t by far the most expansive round, it works and performs consistently. It was made to perform through heavy clothes, light barriers and cars, which are all possible things that I may have to do. And for some reason, this product doesn’t break the bank, with 50 rounds costing me about $30 per box at my local gun store.
For all you police officers, military members, tactical gear gurus and tier 1 operators, I hope you stay safe and carry on.