Governor Maureen O'Connor, Director State Highway Patrol Ammunition misfeeds involving the Beretta 40-caliber weapon, carried by all Highway Patrol Troopers, had eroded officers' confidence. In a typical test, there were 7 malfunctions for every 30 rounds fired. This ratio was clearly unacceptable. The team consulted with the weapon and ammunition manufacturers and collected data from around the state during semi-annual firearm qualifications. The root cause of misfires was linked to the shape of the bullet, and the team went on to select an ammunition with a rounded bullet.
Officers are now confident in the reliability of their service weapon.
Keith Miller, Sgt. Dave Riely, Tpr. Ron Greenwood, Tpr. Tim Jones, and Tpr. Implemented in 1995.