The New Haven Police Department completed a major firearms upgrade in early 2026, issuing 450 Glock 45 pistols equipped with red dot sights to officers across the department, at a total cost of $368,000 in capital funds.
Acting Police Chief David Zannelli announced the purchase at a Board of Police Commissioners meeting on February 12, 2026. To help offset costs, NHPD sold approximately 450 retired Glock 19 pistols to Parro's Gun Shop, a federally licensed firearms dealer in Waterbury, Vermont, for roughly $176,400 — about $392 per gun.
New Haven Officers Completed 16 Hours of Mandatory Training
All officers were required to complete 16 hours of weapons training before receiving the new Glock 45s. The training was designed to familiarize officers with the red dot sight system, which works differently from the iron sights used on the older Glock 19s.
Police spokesperson Officer Christian Bruckhart said the upgrade was overdue. The retired Glock 19s "were around five years old," Bruckhart said, making the department's transition to newer technology appropriate at this stage.
The Glock 45 and Glock 19 are similar in many respects — both fire 9mm ammunition — but the Glock 45 has a slightly longer handle and comes standard-configured for optics mounting. The red dot sights added to the new pistols are expected to improve accuracy, particularly in low-light conditions, which are a common factor in nighttime law enforcement encounters.
Why Police Departments Are Adopting Red Dot Sights
Michael Lawlor, a criminal justice professor at the University of New Haven and a police commissioner, said the shift toward red dot optics is a national trend supported by accuracy research. He noted that Connecticut's use-of-force policy appropriately restricts when officers may aim weapons, and that departments across the country have been adopting red dot technology based on evidence that it improves precision when shots are ultimately required.
Red dot sights allow officers to keep both eyes open while aiming, which is faster and reduces the tunnel vision that can occur when using traditional iron sights. Studies conducted by law enforcement training organizations have consistently found improved shot placement with red dot-equipped pistols, particularly under stress.