The Virginia Division of Capitol Police selected the SIG Sauer P320 as its official duty firearm at the end of 2018. The Virginia Division of Capitol Police—the oldest police agency in the United States—provides law enforcement for the State of Virginia Capitol Complex, and protective services for the Governor and Virginia’s First Family, the Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, the Justices of Virginia’s Supreme Court and members of the Virginia legislature.
“The amount of positive feedback we have received from our officers about the SIG Sauer P320 pistol has been remarkable,” said Col. Anthony S. Pike, chief, Virginia Capitol Police. “Overwhelmingly, my officers have noted the overall comfort of their new P320 and we are seeing it in higher range scores. Overall, we could not be more pleased with our transition to the P320 as our official duty firearm as we carry out our mission to protect and serve the Capitol of the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
The Virginia Division of Capitol Police traces its roots back to 1618, when the first permanent English settlement was established at Jamestown, VA, and it was established as a military force of 10 men assigned to protect Gov. George Yeardley. The agency is celebrating its 400-year anniversary in 2018.
“It’s an honor to welcome a department with such historical significance into the fold of the SIG Sauer Law Enforcement family, and we are pleased to earn the confidence of the men and women of the Virginia Division of Capitol Police with their acquisition of the P320 pistol as their official duty firearm,” said Tom Jankiewicz, executive vice president for Law Enforcement Sales at SIG Sauer.
The P320’s popularity with law enforcement increased exponentially after a version of the handgun—now known as the M17—won the Army’s Modular Handgun System contract that will retire the Beretta M9. The pistol’s performance hasn’t escaped the notice of overseas agencies, either, with the Danish Ministry of Defense selecting it in June 2018.
