. . . From Colt to S&W, and from Inspector to Cop
In 1961, New York Hardware Store, at 5th and Hill Streets, was a short two block walk from my part-time Saturday job parking cars in downtown Los Angeles. New York Hardware had a nice gun section with rifles, shotguns, and handguns.
Editor’s Note: I’m happy to welcome my friend Dick Bonneau to the pages of RevolverGuy, and I’m grateful he’s chosen to share his personal story with us. I enjoyed seeing the arc of Dick’s revolver and law enforcement journey, and I know you will too!
-Mike
I went into their store to ogle the handguns every Saturday on my lunch hour. My full-time job was with Autonetics, a division of North American Aviation. I began working there a week after graduating from High School. I was an electronics quality control inspector. Wages for someone like me were low, at slightly over $2.00 per hour. This resulted in my taking several part-time jobs to supplement my income.
Getting Started
I had loved guns and shooting ever since my dad introduced me to a JC Higgins .22 rifle when I was ten years old. I didn’t have experience with handguns until much later. When I was about nineteen years old, a friend and I each acquired Ruger Single Six .22 LR revolvers. As time permitted, we went to local shooting ranges or spent time in the local hills, an hour’s drive away, in an area surrounding the city of Corona. I had also acquired an Army Surplus 1911 Colt .45 ACP through the Director of Civilian Marksmanship for the outrageous price of $14.00. This pistol and an M-1 Carbine that I bought for $20 were shipped through the US Mail directly to my home. Wow! How things have changed.
The Lure of the Double Action
Having only had experience shooting single action revolvers (the above-mentioned Ruger) and the 1911 .45 ACP, I wanted a double action revolver. In New York Hardware’s display case were several Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers. There was also a selection of Ruger single actions, but I had my heart set on a quality double action gun. After looking at, and handling, several S&W and Colt revolvers, my eyes and my heart settled on this beautiful, lustrous, “Royal Blue-steel” revolver with finely checkered walnut grips. The blue was of such depth that I felt as though my fingers would sink into it. The action was buttery smooth. The gun had a vented rib barrel which attracted me even more.
Of course, this beauty was a Colt Python. The beauty and single action smoothness of this revolver won me over, and mostly having experience with .22 LR, the .357 Magnum caliber was alluring also. The price seemed to be way above my means at $125.00. Yeah, that’s right, it was $125.00. In 1961 that was a lot of money. However, I was smitten, so I put it on lay-away with a $5.00 down payment, and proceeded to deposit five dollars, or sometimes less, on the account every Saturday that I could afford it, for several months until it was paid off.
Jumping Through Hoops
In those days (1960’s), the Los Angeles Municipal Code required a permit from the police department to pick up a newly purchased handgun from the dealer. As soon as I laid down my last few bucks with New York Hardware, I walked the five blocks to Parker Center (police headquarters) to get the police permit.
Upon entering the police building, the desk officer directed me to the “Gun Detail,” in Detective Headquarters Division, on the third floor. I took the elevator upstairs, carrying my receipt from the gun store, which couldn’t allow me to take my new Colt home until I had the police permit. In the Gun Detail office, I found a huge, burly policeman with a crew-cut, wearing a short-sleeve white shirt and tie, seated at a desk. He asked what I wanted. I told him I had purchased a revolver and needed a permit to pick it up. He took my receipt and after reading it, asked what I intended to do with a handgun? I said, “target shooting.” He looked at me as though he might march me downstairs to be booked into jail, and said with great emphasis, “a .357 Magnum for target shooting?” I was sure he was going to deny me the permit. Then he smiled and said, “have fun shooting,” and handed me the approved permit. I took it back to New York Hardware to pick up my new gun as fast as I could, before he changed his mind.
In my early twenties I guess I was somewhat naïve, without giving much thought to the Second Amendment and gun control. Years later, I would have looked at this “permit” incident as an intrusion on my rights under the Constitution, but in 1962, I just accepted it as the normal way to purchase a handgun. Although I find the police permit objectionable now, it was a very mild form of regulation compared to the draconian gun control regulations in California, today.
Shots Fired
Once clear of the layaway and the bureaucratic hurdles, I rushed home with my new Colt. Before I could get to the range, I spent time handling, dry-firing, and examining its various features. As time permitted, I spent time in the hills plinking at targets of opportunity, and at the Long Beach Police range shooting paper targets.
Mostly, I fired my 148-grain wadcutter reloads, with the occasional .357 Magnum. I almost always fired the Python in the single action mode, as I found the double action mode less accurate due to poor staging of the trigger and timing of the cylinder. Even though the Python didn’t have a smooth double action I loved to shoot it in single action and found it to be very accurate.
A New Career
I’ll fast-forward here to March of 1971. I left my twelve-year long job with Autonetics to try something I had always wanted to do . . . become a policeman.
I joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). It took several months to apply and go through the selection process, but I was finally accepted. On March 21st of that year, on a cold, foggy morning at 5:00 AM, I arrived at the Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park, across from Dodger Stadium, to begin training along with ninety-seven other men.
Academy Training
The training of new policemen consisted of a vigorous, five-month long, eight-hours per day program, including the three major sections of:
1) Academics: Classroom training, including criminal law & evidence, civil rights, courtroom procedures, the Constitution, criminal Investigation, community relations, patrol and traffic procedures, report writing, public speaking and juvenile law & procedures;
2) Physical Training: Defensive tactics, wrestling, baton training, physical conditioning (mostly running and calisthenics), and arrestee control and crowd control techniques;
3) Firearms Training: This section was sixty-six hours of hands-on firearms training on the Target and Combat Ranges,including shotgun and nighttime shooting. Included were scenarios requiring decision-making of when to shoot or not shoot.
LAPD Firearms Training
There were two firearms ranges at the LAPD Academy—the Target Range, and the Combat Range.
The Target Range had shooting positions at 7, 10, 15 and 25 yards. There were also 50-yard shooting positions located on a roof over the shooting positions for the 25-yard line. We shot regularly from 7, 10, 15 and 25 yards on the 25-yard target range, but never on the 50-yard line. Incidentally, these ranges were used for the shooting competition in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The Combat Range was in a different location than the Target Range. It was about 100 yards up the hill from the Target Range. Shooting on the Combat Range was coordinated into the regular schedule of firearms training, and included shooting with our revolvers as well as the department-issued, Ithaca Model 37 slide-action 12 Gauge shotguns.
Target Range Training
Most revolver shooting was performed one-handed in this era. The only time two hands were used to shoot the gun was from the 25 yard barricade.
This was before the Weaver and Isosceles stances were common. Instead, a typical “bullseye” shooting technique was used by officers and cadets. The revolver was held in the strong hand, while the strong hand side of the body faced toward the target (the shooter faced north, while shooting east). The weak hand was placed on the hip or in the weak-side pocket.
The Target Course was a 30-round course, fired in three phases. The starting position for each phase was the Low Ready position. The first phase was performed at 7 yards, and consisted of 6 rounds fired in 3.5 seconds. After an untimed reload, this string of fire was repeated, for a total of 12 rounds fired at 7 yards.
The second phase was performed at 10 yards, and began with 3 rounds fired in 3.0 seconds. After that, another 3 rounds were fired in 1.5 seconds. After an untimed reload, 6 rounds were fired in 5.0 seconds, for a total of 12 rounds fired at 10 yards.
The final phase was fired from the 25 yard barricade. Shooters placed their support hand on the barricade and used it to help brace the revolver as they fired. The first string of fire was 2 rounds fired in 4.0 seconds from the right side of the barricade. The second string of fire was 2 rounds fired in 4.0 seconds from the left side of the barricade. The final string of fire was 2 rounds fired in 4.0 seconds over the top of the barricade (“Horizontal Barricade”).
The silhouette target was used for the target qualification course. Each shot in the marked arm areas was worth five points, and each shot in the black area of the silhouette, exclusive of the arm areas, was worth ten points. The total possible score on the target qualification course was 300 points, and an officer had to shoot a minimum of 210 to qualify.
Combat Range Training
When shooting on the Combat Range, a modified FBI combat stance was used. This stance had the shooter face the target, step slightly to the side with his weak side foot, bend the knees, and bend at the waist, assuming a “crouch” position. The non-shooting hand was placed on the weak-side knee, as a brace, and the revolver was presented at arm’s length toward the target, to fire the required string of shots.
The silhouette targets on the Combat Range would rotate in and out of view on a timer. Each shooter faced an array of three targets that would turn and appear for a designated time, then turn away and disappear when the time for the stage had run out.
The revolver course of fire on the Combat Range consisted of thirty rounds. In the first stage, six rounds were fired from a 15 yard barricade position. Three rounds were fired with the right hand, from the right side of the barricade, and three rounds were fired with the left hand, on the left side of the barricade. When the target turned, you had three seconds to fire one round, then the target would turn away. This sequence would repeat for a total of six rounds–three on the right, and three on the left.
We then advanced to the 12 yard line for the second stage, which was shot using the modified FBI combat stance. The shooter would begin with his revolver pointed downrange, lowered to a 45- degree angle. When the three targets turned to face the shooter, he had 18 seconds to fire six rounds (two on each target), before the targets turned away.
The targets would face away for nine seconds, during which we would empty and reload our revolvers with six new rounds from our dump pouches. The targets would then turn toward us again, and we had another 18 seconds to fire two rounds into each of the three silhouettes (six total).
We then advanced to the seven-yard line for the final stage, where we shot a similar course of fire on the turning silhouettes (two rounds on each target, six total, in each string). The time for each of the two strings of fire was shortened to 13 seconds. The time for reloading remained at nine seconds.
When the Combat Course was fired in daylight, shooters had to attain a minimum total score of 210 points, with a minimum of 70 points on each individual target. During hours of darkness, the minimum total score was 180, with a minimum of 60 points on each target.
As training time permitted, we would repeat the Combat Course again.
When firing the shotgun, we loaded four rounds of birdshot in the Ithaca. From the seven-yard line, the targets would turn toward us for fifteen seconds while we fired all four rounds, alternating between targets. We fired double-ought buckshot (magnum duty loads) a few times during training. Wow, what a difference from the birdshot loads!
Training Ammunition
When we entered the academy, we were given a box of several hundred rounds of .38 Special, 148 grain wadcutter reloads. At this time, the range staff had an automated reloading machine. Brass and lead were reclaimed and reloaded for academy training ammo.
We occasionally shot with full-power duty ammo to give us the feel for the real thing. I think we shot two or three times on the Combat Range using duty ammo, probably sixty rounds total.
Mike Wood discussed this common practice of shooting low-powered ammunition in police training, but carrying full-powered ammunition on duty, in his excellent book, Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis. His book examines the murder of four California Highway Patrol Officers in 1970. It might have been better if we’d trained with full-power ammo like we’d carry on-duty. I believe that training with lower powered ammo was mainly a cost savings measure. The one benefit I could see in using 148 grain reloads was that it allowed new police officers, who were unaccustomed to shooting, to be slowly initiated into shooting with lower recoil. Not a good tradeoff, when balanced against the possibility of an officer being killed in a gunfight, because he was unaccustomed to the ammo being carried.
LAPD Issue Revolvers
At the time I joined in 1971, LAPD issued 4″ S&W Model 15 revolvers to new policemen. The revolver issued to me was the model 15-3 pictured below:
In large, metropolitan police departments, the accidental discharge of a firearm is dangerous to citizens, as well as to policemen. Therefore, in an attempt to eliminate the accidental discharge of revolvers, the department modified the S&W revolvers to only fire double action (the hammer could not be cocked).
Since my experience with double action revolvers had only consisted of shooting my Colt Python, which I almost always fired in the single action mode, I thought I’d never learn to shoot this way. However, I found that in a very short time, due to the excellent staging and timing of the S&W, and the excellent instruction provided by LAPD instructors on the academy range, I could shoot on the Target and Combat Ranges quite well. I even earned LAPD’s “Sharpshooter” medal before graduating from the academy.
Over the five months of academy training, I grew to prefer double action shooting. It was during this time that I came to recognize the superior staging and timing of the S&W revolver in the double action mode.
The academy firearms training consummated my relationship with Smith & Wesson revolvers and my conversion from Colt to S&W.
Issued Equipment
Along with the S&W revolvers, my academy class was issued a Sam Browne belt, holster, ammo pouches, traffic whistle, baton and baton ring, handcuffs, handcuff case, handcuff keys, and a Game-Well key.
The Game-Well key was the key to our call boxes, installed by the Game-Well Company, and located throughout the city. These call boxes contained telephones that were directly connected to the desk sergeant at each of the seventeen police stations.
I need to divert the narrative slightly here to point out that in the 1970’s, LAPD still deployed many “foot beats” (policemen on foot patrol). Hand-held radios were still in the future. The foot beats needed access to communications with the station, and the Game-Well box telephones provided this access. Each foot beat was required to check in telephonically with the station at least hourly.
I should also point out that even radio patrol cars only had radios in the car. Once the officers exited their patrol car, they were without communications. It was a blessing that LAPD assigned two officers to each patrol car, thus providing a safer working scenario than one-officer patrol cars. When we exited the car to investigate criminal behavior, we tried to be sure one officer could get back to the radio in the car, to call for help when it was needed.
In addition to the Game-Well key, we were also issued a “999 key,” that opened the door of any police building in Los Angeles, and a belt ring for all the keys.
Ammo Pouches
The ammo pouches were “dump” pouches. Each of the two dump pouches held six .38 Special cartridges. The pouches were held closed by leather and Velcro flaps that closed over the top of the pouches, to keep the ammo secure. When needed, the Velcro flap was opened and the pouch unsnapped, allowing it to release the six rounds into the policeman’s hand. This could be repeated for the second pouch, releasing a second six rounds.
I was able to force three extra rounds into each of my pouches, giving me eighteen extra rounds of ammo for an emergency. I also carried a full box of .38 ammo in my riot helmet bag, kept in the trunk of the police car.
The problem with dump pouches is that, when dumped, the loose rounds in your hand must now be loaded into the revolver’s six empty chambers. In the heat and anxiety of a gun fight, it is difficult to load the chambers of a revolver with a handful of loose ammo. The loose rounds can easily be dropped. This problem led to development of several better reloading methods for revolvers, like reloading strips, and several designs of six-round speedy loaders that allowed six rounds to be inserted into the cylinder at once. These sped up and simplified the reloading process, and allowed the policeman to deal with all six rounds at once, instead of six loose rounds.
Issued Holsters
My academy class was issued JAT-brand flap holsters that were referred to as “Widow Makers,” because of how slow it was to draw the revolver.
I traded mine for a Safety Speed clamshell holster as quickly as I could, after graduating from the academy (as did many of my academy classmates.) I carried the clamshell until the department no longer allowed them to be used. They were de-authorized due to accidental discharges that were blamed on the holster design. I think the holster was rarely at fault, but it provided a convenient excuse for an accidental discharge.
By issuing neutered (double action only) revolvers, and decertifying clamshell holsters to eliminate accidental discharges, it may appear that LAPD was obsessed with this issue. I guess that may be a fair assessment, but to place these decisions in context, I would point out that Los Angeles is a very large city (464 square miles) with a concentrated urban environment of over four million people, and a very small (per-capita) police department, that (until recently) was expected to conduct proactive, aggressive police work. These factors frequently combined to place LAPD officers in situations where accidental discharges of weapons could seriously endanger both citizens and officers. Therefore, even though I loved the clamshell, and having the ability to fire either single or double-action, I find It difficult to criticize these decisions.
Duty Ammo & Ballistics
The duty ammo we were issued was either Remington or Western brand, 158 grain .38 Special with round-nose lead bullets. Also authorized, but not issued, was Western .38 Special ammo loaded with 200 grain Lubaloy bullets.
The 158 grain loading was always issued by the department and was carried by almost all our officers. The round-nose lead bullet was very conical in shape, with a muzzle velocity of about 855 feet per second. There were shootings where the round-nose lead bullet went through the suspect without enough energy transfer or tissue damage to stop him. This was because the conical shape didn’t deform when contacting tissue.
The 200 grain Lubaloy bullet was blunt, and if fired at respectable velocities, it would deform more than the 158 grain bullet. But the velocity of this round, as issued, was slower, at 730 feet per second.
These velocities were recorded from six-inch barrels. Most LAPD officers carried S&W revolvers with four-inch barrels, resulting in slightly lower velocities than advertised. This left the police officers with two authorized duty rounds that they believed to be marginally effective in a gunfight. Jacketed hollowpoint ammo was proposed, but was not authorized until sometime in the mid-1980’s.
An enterprising sergeant, who was also a gun enthusiast and a reloader, came up with an unauthorized solution. He removed the 200 grain Lubaloy bullets from their cartridge cases, and loaded enough powder to bring the velocity up to a more respectable level. Of course, this was done without the knowledge of department management. Very few officers ever carried this “improved” ammo, but it was reportedly used in one or two shootings, and proved to be more effective.
In 1982, the LAPD finally recognized the need for more effective ammo, and began to issue Federal 125 grain jacketed soft-point, Plus-P ammunition. We were all ecstatic over the change. There were many more changes in weapons and ammo to come, but they would involve a move to pistols, not revolvers. Ultimately, the LAPD transitioned to the 9mm pistol and then to the .45 ACP pistol.
Officer Survival training and my first tour of duty
The LAPD was hiring a new academy class of seventy to ninety policemen each month. The training academy could only accommodate this number by staggering the training times between day watch and night watch. The first and second months at the academy were spent on day watch. The third month was spent training on night watch. The fourth month was spent on loan to one of the seventeen patrol divisions, where each “recruit” policeman would work in a patrol car with a veteran policeman. The fifth month was spent back at the academy, with enhancement of the prior training regimen, with a focus on community relations and public interaction.
The last class on the final night of our third month (before being loaned to a patrol division) was “Officer Survival.” It was a four-hour class, taught by a well-respected Captain named Bob Smitson. Bob was a huge man, 6’4” tall and well over 220 Lbs. Captain Smitson’s credentials were impeccable, including assignment to Metropolitan Division (where he helped establish and command the first-ever SWAT team), tours of duty in South-Central Los Angeles, foot patrol in Central Division, and assignment as an academy instructor in Physical Training and Self Defense.
This Officer Survival class came on the heels of several shootings in which police officers had been killed (such as the Newhall Shooting in April of 1970, where four California Highway Patrol Officers were shot to death, and an LAPD shooting with the Black Panthers, where the officers were fortunate to have survived, and three of four Panthers were killed.) Capt. Smitson discussed these and several other shootings in detail. He spent the night telling us that what we had learned in the academy had to be applied in the street to ensure our survival. To emphasize the lesson, he discussed the murders of several policemen and how their tactics had affected their ability to survive on the street. Each of these cases was highlighted by crime scene photographs of the fallen officers.
Captain Smitson had our undivided attention. Throughout the four-hour class, you could hear a pin drop in the classroom. Class was adjourned at 10:00 PM on Friday.
At 7:00 AM on Sunday, I reported to my first day of four weeks on-loan in 77th Street Division, where I would ride in a patrol car. 77Th was the division covering most of South-Central Los Angeles, where the 1965 Watts riots had begun, and was consistently the most violent division in Los Angeles. After Captain Smitson’s class, I was beginning to wonder if I had chosen the right career.
Reflections On A Career
I was blessed to go through my entire thirty-seven-year career with LAPD without being involved in a shooting. There were several close calls, but no shootings.
Los Angeles is a very big city with a relatively small, per-capita, police department. This disparity tended to require LAPD officers to be more aggressive in combating crime. And yet, only a very small percentage of officers ever fired their weapon in the performance of their duties.
I’ll use a statistic to emphasize the flip side of this fact, and to highlight the dangers faced by LA cops. When I retired in 2007, I had a retirement dinner at the police academy. People who attended sat at round tables that seated ten people each. The number of officers killed in the line of duty during my career would have filled almost seven tables (over sixty officers), if they had survived and attended the dinner. Of course, these on-duty deaths included all causes of on duty deaths, not just shootings and murders of officers.
I have to say that I loved every minute of my thirty-seven years with the LAPD. While we were slow to adapt to better weapons and ammunition, I believe I served during the very best of times, with some of the best people I’ve ever known. Bob Smitson, for example, was a true legend in law enforcement–in California, and nationally, as well. He was one of many who stood tall within the law enforcement community. I was proud to serve with him and my fellow policemen.
What an amazing LAPD account and a trip down memory lane, Dick, because of my having lived in the LA basin as a young feller from about 1959 to 1980. My late father also worked for Autonetics and was unfortunate to be among the huge layoffs around 1970. The financial disaster that ensued for my family, and many others, is still hard for me to think about, but your joining the LAPD in 1971 was timed perfectly. But I wonder if many police academies today offer the same rigorous training as LAPD’s some fifty-odd years ago.
If I were a police officer back in those days, I would have felt adequately armed with a 4-inch Smith & Wesson Model 19, but probably would have searched for that “enterprising sergeant” and acquired his improved 200 grain ammo.
Spencer:
Thank you for the kind words about my article. Yes, I remember those layoffs in the early 1970’s. Probably came about as a relaxing of the Cold War and resultant reduction in defense spending. I was fortunate to escape to LAPD just before the axe fell.
Police work and police departments have changed so much since my time with LAPD that it is hard to fathom. I see what is happening on our streets today and it makes my stomach churn. Although there were much better guns and ammo then, I never felt under equipped with the .38. I did worry about reloading from those dump pouches though.
Dick
Wow, just wow. What a wealth of knowledge from a true policeman!
Years ago, I heard a story from a retired policeman who was already on the Dept for the Watts Riots. He said that street-smart cops would carry half a dozen “approved” empty casings in their pants pockets, but carry hot-loaded ammo in their revolvers. When F.I.D. would show up to investigate the O.I.S., the policeman would hand them the approved brass. I don’t know if it was ever actually done, but it makes for a great story. That, along with the stories I’ve been told by other long-retired policemen, are what the LAPD was built on.
Of course the Watts riots were before my time, but I do know there were at least 35 deaths, many police or National Guard shootings. Some of the “old-timers” when I went to Central Division in 1971 had stories about policing that riot. The police were allowed much greater latitude in dealing with violent suspects then. Many of those OT’s had joined the department following World War II and didn’t put up with guff from anyone. I don’t know about the empty casings being carried, but it quite possibly occurred. During the heat of a full-blown riot I’m sure there was not as much scrutiny of police use of force as there normally would be.
Excellent article as always. I just wanted to say that I always noticed in TV shows police wear a police hat but since I never saw anybody wear one in real life I used to think it was just a movie trope when I was a kid.
Yeah! We wore hats. I think it made for a more professional looking policeman. Lowe be to the officer who was observed out of his police car by his Sergeant without his hat on. The concept was sometime taken to an extreme and led to the Police Protective League lobbying to do away with uniform hats. Eventually the requirement was done away with. I believe the requirement for hats for regular police duties ended in the 1980’s.
Now I understand several of the practices depicted in Dragnet (1967-1970) and Adam-12 that had seemed anomalous to me.
I recall at least one L.A. Times report in 1969 of intentional discharges attributed to thumb-cocked revolvers that led the the “neutering” to DAO of both both LAPD-issued revolvers and any personally purchased revolvers carried on duty, such as backup guns.
Steven:
Because I was a shooter and had a love for guns when I entered the academy I was shocked to find that many policemen had no such “love.” Many looked on their duty weapon as a “tool” to be used at work, but outside work had no interest. I’m not sure when LAPD started “neutering” the revolvers, but the late 1960’s seems about right. You are correct that any revolver carried, on duty or off duty, as a result of being an LAPD officer had to be neutered.
Thanks for this article.
I grew up on the “right” coast, and had constant, daily reminders of NYPD as I grew up. But LAPD was always a subject of fascination to me as I got older and moved west–fueled by TV and movies, especially black and white films noir.
My LEO experience was solo patrol– a mix of urban, suburban and then rural beats. And that promotes a distinctly different vibe from what you’ve described. Hope you don’t mind a little well-intentioned envy from this retired county mountie.
We are fortunate to both be members of the “Blue Brotherhood.” I think is can be difficult for those who haven’t worn the badge to understand the fraternity.
BTW: I also grew up with a healthy interest in the TV, Movie and radio police shows. I’m old enough to remember when we listened to “Dragnet” on the radio.
This was a great article and I hope there are more to come. LAPD was the leader in modern police work for a long time. It was great to “see behind the curtain.”
The police chief who hired me in Texas was retired from LAPD and I’m told he was on the first SWAT team. His name was Thomas Windham. When our department transitioned to auto pistols the chief still carried his revolver.
I started with a revolver and I’m glad I did. I will always believe that having six rounds made me more careful with each shot.
Again, keep up the good work and write again soon.
BC:
I knew Tom Windham! He was promoted to the rank of Commander and left LAPD when I was a Sergeant to take the Chief’s job in Fort Worth. A great guy and he was respected by all. I last saw him when I attended the FBI National Academy at Quantico. He came to visit the academy and was wearing cowboy boots and a Stetson hat. It made me chuckle because he was a very “cosmopolitan” gentleman when he served with LAPD. Were you with Fort Worth PD?
By the way: When Tom was Commander in an assignment at Parker Center he used to take a long walk at lunch time. The downtown part of LA in the area of Parker Center was not a high crime area then. But on two occasions he was shot at while on his lunch-time walk. Never hit, thank God!
Dick
I was with Fort Worth PD 29+ years after he hired me. I believe we were responsible for the hat and boots. He modernized our department. He had a superpower that I want. If he ever met you, he would remember your name forever. I don’t believe I ever heard him call some one by the wrong name, even if he only saw them once a decade. I did not appreciate him because I was a very young rookie when I worked for him. Hind sight is 20/20 …
Yep…That was Tom Windham!!! We get wiser with the passage of time.
If one wants to improve, a good way to do so is to attach oneself to a group better than you and put in the work to do what they do. I shoot with two guys who are better at it than me. For this reply, I’ll call them Dan C. and Dick Bonneau… because that’s their names… and now I find out Bonneau can write well too! Good stuff.
I kept two items from my career in ER and interestingly one was also a key, though it was the release key for leather restraints, not call-in boxes.
Be well Dick, and thanks for writing this interesting piece.
Those are very kind comments, Steve, Thank you!
Those trips to the range are very enjoyable. I am an amateur compared to you, me being a hobbyist at reloading while you have made a science of it. Each trip to the range is a new adventure to see what new recipe you have devised. Regarding the leather restraints…Remind me to tell you an interesting story.
Thank you for the article about your career and the LAPD history, Mr. Bonneau. I enjoyed it very much. I think a double action only Model 15 would still get the job done today, especially with the improvements in ammunition and loading devices. Cops still carried revolvers when I started, but I’m thankful that we didn’t have to use dump pouches! I got nostalgic when you discussed the shoulder/chest strap and eight-point hats; LAPD was at the front of the wave of demilitarization of police uniforms, the simple, practical uniform that resulted is instantly associated with your old agency. While campaign hats come to mind when most people think about State LE agencies, mine (NMSP) wore 8-point covers and shoulder straps, from 1935 until today. My city cop buddies give me grief about “90 years of tradition unhampered by progress”, but tradition leads to organizational pride. I know you felt that every time you pinned that big, distinct LAPD shield on your uniform shirt. Thank you again, Sir!
Thanks for taking time to read my article, Kevin.
I agree about the .38 revolver. I transitioned to the 9MM S&W pistol and then to a S&W .45 ACP pistol before I retired, but I always felt more comfortable with the revolver. The advantages of the pistol are greater ammo capacity and ease of reloading. The disadvantage is that pistols are more prone to malfunction. Not a problem on the range, but in a gunfight a malfunction could be deadly. Of course these relative advantages/disadvantages are reversed for revolvers. The advent of speedy-loaders moderates the reloading issue for a six-gun, but it still isn’t quite as seamless as a magazine in a pistol.
I think too many LE agencies are too willing to sacrifice tradition. I admire the fact that your agency has “stuck to its guns” on the traditional uniform. Tradition and stability help define the values and culture of an organization!
Mr. Bonneau,
Thank you for the exceptionally well detailed, and inside view of LAPD in your early days. My later teen years were fixated with Jack Webb’s Dragnet and Adam 12. To me, that was what the ‘ideal’ job was supposed to be, and LAPD was the ‘ideal’ department . . . which was nothing like where I grew up. William Holden’s character of Bumper Morgan in The Blue Knight was probably closer to reality in L.A. at the time.
Like yourself, I was fixated on firearms at an early age. My first handgun was a Ruger Super Single Six, and it is still my favorite all around revolver. I entered our state’s patrol school in 1972. It was 26 weeks of classroom, field exercises, driver training, range time, and so on. Once out, we did our FTO with someone who had at least five years on the road, preferrably a corporal or sergeant. When they deemed us functionally useable, we were issued an older patrol car, assigned to a troop station, and were presumed to be fully competent. Your picture of the Plymouth Belvederes reminded me of my first car – a 1969 Plymouth Fury that already had over 80K miles on it – ran like a scalded rabbit.
Our duty holster was probably as bad as your flap holsters. We had Mixon cross draw holsters for 5″ barrel .357 Magnum revolvers riding on 3″ wide Sam Brownes, dump pouches, and much of the same bureaucractic headaches pertaining to uniforms as you did in LA. ( felony traffic stop? doesn’t matter, gotta have your hat on )
We called the cross draw holster the ‘suicide special’. The rationale for its use; however, made a small degree of sense if you somewhat divorced from reality. We were all solo units out on the highways. If we had someone stopped, or were helping someone out and they were in the front seat of our car with us, they would have to reach across us to try for our revolver – so the theory went. Otherwise, it was just an appearance issue for state LEOs, probably so we’d look more like the USAF’s SAC Headquarters Security officers. In reality, it made a cradle between our side and the revolver for our Kel-Lite (a/k/a aluminum club with a light bulb) so it would be within instant reach. With a good amount of practice, one could clear leather rather quickly and muzzle sweep everyone in a 180 degree arc in the process.
Newhall was still somewhat raw when I started, and it still rattles around in my old brain. We trained with .38 wadcutter reloads, but carried Winchester 158gr LSWC .357 Magnums on the street. About 1974 when the 125 grain JHP Magnum loads appeared, we started (re)training and qualifying with our street loads. Drop boxes were ridiculous, and many of us loaded speed strips and stretched the leather boxes out so we could get to extra ammo before Krakatoa had a chance to settle down. It was also during that time when a larger Sheriff’s Department issued the brand spankin’ new S&W Model 67 Stainless Combat Masterpiece revolvers. The rest of us po-folks were immediately jealous. Eventually we got 4″ S&W Model 66 revolvers in strong side holsters, including speed loaders. Our cars from 1974 onward had the horsepower and performance neutered, but otherwise, we felt well modernized. By 1978, we had body armor and cages in our cars.
By today’s standards, our equipment and procedures were down right archaic in many respects. After Newhall, new felony stop tactics slowly came into being, but we were still expected to do it like Reed and Malloy on Adam-12. Where I saw a revolver and 18 total rounds on me as adequate to handle anything I might encounter, today many locals tote close to 100 rounds on them. Where our uniforms were professional looking and inspired respect, locals today look like they are all trying out for D-Platoon L.A. SWAT.
We need to have a periodic reminder of how 21st Century law enforcement evolved into its present form. We also need to consider what good has come from this evolution, and what is not so good. You, Kevin, Tony, and other retired LEO types here have a legacy that has a lot of incredible memories and lessons for future generations. Thank you for accumulating and sharing them !
Wow! You really pushed some buttons that opened the memory vault for this old cop.
Newhall changed police thinking about tactics all over the country. For LAPD, only a short drive, (maybe 50 miles) from the scene of that tragedy the lessons resonated like bells going off in our heads. We were so blessed to have two officers in each of our patrol cars. I believe this fact stopped many otherwise deadly encounters before they started. It allowed one officer to confront the suspects while the other officer stood back observed and acted as a guard for his partner.
Weapons and other equipment have really evolved, especially LE handguns. Before I retired I saw my agency adopt 9MM pistols, then .45ACP pistols. I am pretty sure no-one on LAPD carries a revolver now. Too bad, I, as you, always felt that I could handle any situation with my .38 and 18 extra rounds of ammo. Looking at it logically though the pistols offer some real advantages in a gunfight: capacity and ease of reloading.
This is a fascinating article, and Mr. Bonneau certainly has had a career to be proud of. Others have pretty much already articulated my thoughts regarding the outstanding quality of training LAPD gave its officers over 50 years ago (I certainly didn’t get that quality of training), so please allow me to ask some questions about some details. First of all, Mr. Bonneau’s issue Model 15 is wearing the Goncalo Alves target grips that S&W put on its .357 Magnum K- and N-frames. Thirty-eight revolvers like the Model 10 and 15 normally left the factory with the smaller “splinter” grips that left the front strap, buttstrap, and backstrap uncovered so the metal could pound your hand more efficiently. (My dad’s Model 15 did.) Were the Goncalo Alves grips a factory modification that S&W put on all LAPD’s guns? (Back in the revolver days, it was fairly common for factories to accommodate PDs that made large orders with things like that. Exhibit A through Z is the Model 68. I want one so bad!)
The other question I had was about the Sam Browne shoulder strap, that I heard called the “punching-bag handle.” The only PDs I know of that still wear them are the NMSP and the New Jersey SP. Don’t you guys have a union?
Sorry. My mind tends to wander when I read these articles.
Old 1811:
I appreciate you taking the time to read my article and to ask questions.
Regarding the grips on my S&W model 15. The revolver was issued with Mershon black rubber grips that had the same shape as the Goncalo Alves target grips shown on my model 15. I believe the black grips were another attempt to make LAPD uniforms less militaristic in appearance. They were functional, but at some point I changed them for the Goncalo Alves grips shown in the pictures in my article. The shoulder strap was scuttled several years before I joined LAPD. The uniform Sam Browne shown in my academy graduation photograph is the one I was issued in the academy. It was issued in another attempt at demilitarized appearance. The SB belt was attached to the uniform belt by velcro thus eliminating the need for the shiny belt buckle, keepers and buttons on handcuff and ammo pouches. We hated the appearance. As with so many ideas that seem a good thing, they were eventually discarded in favor of the traditional Sam Browne. So much for political correctness.
I loved the Safariland buckleless belts and had 4-5 of them I bought myself, the first in 1968. Clearly, few agree with me!
If I’m not mistaken, a selling point for this style was that it eliminated a shiny buckle that would serve as a low light, center mass target for enemy fire? Of course, badges and white undershirts were pretty good low light targets for the enemy too.
Were these belts as secure as the traditional buckled Sam Browne? The ease of adjustment would be a big plus.
I think removing a bright aiming point was a minor selling point. As noted, the change to a less military look might have been significant for some agencies.
For me, the Safariland is more comfortable and secure than a traditional Sam Browne buckle belt. The tail has to be under a slider or the belt could peel off, but that’s the same with a Sam Browne.
Safariland sold a faux buckle for their belts for those who insisted. I would have used one if I’d forced to. I was certainly spoiled in having more freedom of choice than many do.
Even in my brief few weeks wearing a SB, I used a Velcro flap cuff pouch that’s much handier than a snap flap.
Ran out of road on my last comment, so I had to add Part 2. Regarding holsters, it’s kinda disappointing to see that LAPD still issued flap holsters in the 1970s; my dad’s 1960s-era duty holster was an early thumb break design. I can see why Mr. Bonneau and his cohorts went to the clamshells as soon as they could. It’s also kind of amusing to see holsters that don’t cover the trigger guard. In my opinion, that’s unnecessary for DA revolver holsters; the long, heavy trigger pull gives you enough of a safety margin, with the added benefit that if you should holster your gun with your finger on the trigger (I’ve seen it happen), the holster won’t push your finger into the trigger and give you an owie on the leg. (I never saw a duty or concealed-carry DA revolver holster with a covered trigger guard before about 1985; now you can’t use one of the old open-trigger-guard holsters in most matches. Progress, you know.)
Dick thank you for sharing your journey with the Excellent plus article and a distinguished & honorable career.
This amazing thing called the internet has brought a lot of like minded folks together. Another amazing thing I have good friends here that I have never met.
God bless you and yours and keep you safe in these crazy times we are living in.
ps I had to shoot the 50 yard line in basic, gave me nightmares but managed to qualify.
Tony
Tony:
Thank you for taking time to read my article. We never shot over 25 yards in training for LAPD. However I was a member of our PPC team for a couple of years. One of the stages of fire was at 50 yards. Some of my team mates could keep most of their shots in the 10 ring of a standard silhouette target at 50 yards. I shot a good score at that distance, but no where near as good as my team mates.
Of course these were modified PPC revolvers, not duty guns.
Capt –
You referenced not having “Eisenhower” jackets for 1971 under the marching class photo from 1962. Do you mean you didnt have the Melton wool jackets? The Eisenhower was newly approved for 1970.
You also mentioned the uniform changes attached to some of the posted photos. The Dept changed to round hats, added nametags and silver P buttons in 1969.
The Deadwyler shooting of 1966 prompted the neutering of revolvers a few years later. A T-Stop gone wrong when the driver let the car lurch forward a bit and the policeman killed him while holding his revolver in single action.
The 4” Model 15 was new for 1969 also.
The Clamshell holster was finally banned in 1988. I helped contribute to Mikes article here on the clamshell as few years ago.
The parking lot photo with Blk & Wht’s is from a scene of Adam-12. The newest shop pictured is a 67, with most being 65-66’s.
The link to “The 25th Man” film Mike added under the photos is no good. I released the film on my Youtube page. A good link should be: https://youtu.be/qHkrk–jXtA?si=btRoAiVL1Q23HZGB
I would love to see anymore photos you may have from your career. KMA-
Kevin, it’s great to hear from you again, and I appreciate the detailed information on uniform and equipment changes, particularly the reference to the Deadwyler shooting. I’d never been able to source the neutering back to a specific incident, and appreciate you filling in the blanks.
I tried the link that accompanied the photos from “The 25th Man” video, and it still worked for me, but since it obviously didn’t work for you, I updated all references to reflect the link you shared with us. Again, many thanks!
Kevin:
Yes you are correct, I misspoke in my article. I meant to refer to the Melton jackets. They were not authorized by 1971. We all wished we had them. We felt the Eisenhower jacket was useless.
Regarding the hats and buttons, I didn’t know what date those changes occurred, but knew it was prior to my academy class. My brother was in the February of 1969 class. His class may have been the first class with those uniform changes.
I knew the officer involved in the Deadwyler shooting. By the time I knew him he had promoted to the rank of Commander. Jerry Bova was a heck of a man and a heck of a cop. He testified at the coroners inquest about the Deadwyler shooting. The inquest was televised and several officers told me the reason they joined LAPD was because of the professionalism of his testimony.
The photos of the B&W’s were taken in the parking lot behind the old Newton Street station. That station is no longer located there.
Thank you for taking time to read and add to the authenticity of my article.
Were you an LA Cop??? I noticed the “KMA” at the conclusion of your comments.
KMA367
I really love your story Sir! My first revolver as a teen was ruger Single-six and then when I saved up enough money, I bought a well carried Smith M15 that was missing most of the blueing but for $200 the gunshop owner threw in an basketweave pancake holster and a box of ammo. I unfortunately let that M15 get away but I continue to rely on a 38spec or .357 and feel more confident with a revolver then any semi auto pistol I ever carried. Even though my police academy firearms training was focused on the Glock 17, I am a revolverguy at heart and qualified with a revolver as soon as they would let me. Thank you again for sharing your story!
Thanks Mark:
I agree with you about feeling more comfortable with a revolver. Maybe that is due to years of carrying one, training and qualification courses with a revolver. I did ultimately switch to a pistol due to greater capacity and ease of reloading, but I was always concerned about the possibility of a malfunction.
Thanks for your really great article. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Steve: Your comments are very much appreciated!
Forgive me, but I want to make sure I read your article correctly. 4″ S&W Model 15s, modified to be DAO, began being issued in 1971 when you joined the LAPD. However, officers were still being trained to shoot one-handed?
That wasn’t unusual for the era, Axel. Two-handed shooting as the standard was still a few years to a decade away for many LE agencies in America.
Thanks for the interest in my article Axel:
Yes we shot in DAO with the S&W Model 15’s. Because I had been a shooter before entering the academy and I owned a Colt Python that I always fired in the single action mode I thought I would never learn to shoot in the double action mode, but with good instruction on the academy range and the good S&W action I adapted to DAO pretty quickly. Now I prefer DAO when shooting a DA revolver.
DAO revolvers were issued beginning in the mid 1960’s
Oh! Axel, I forgot to address the question of one-handed VS two handed shooting. Yes all our shooting was one-handed in DAO. The only exception was the “barricade” position on the target line at 25 yards, where we shot DAO two handed using the bench as a barricade rest.
Captain Bonneau, terrific article about your long and distinguished career in LAPD.
One of my rookie officers left NYPD for LAPD shortly after after he completed his field training and probationary period. I ran into his father, an NYPD detective, a few years later and he informed me that his son loved his new job and had always wanted to be an LAPD officer.
I thought I was the only one watching Adam-12 and Dragnet!
In NYC most officers carried a S&W Model 10 (4″ heavy barrel), females could opt to carry a S&W Chief (5 shots) with a 3″ barrel as their service revolver. Department mandated ammo was 158 grain SWC – standard pressure, no hollow point. During the late 1980s ammunition was upgraded to +P pressures and speed loaders were finally authorized – at the officer’s own expense. Hourly “rings” were enforced on late tours (12 midnight until 0800 hours.).
Officers generally didn’t like to wear their 8 point caps, but donned it quickly if the sergeant showed up on a call. So many similarities in our agencies.
Please keep sharing your fascinating stories.
Opa:
I really appreciate you taking the time to read my article and your very kind comments.
I worked with a few LAPD officers who came from NYPD and other eastern cities. In fact the current Chief of Police in LAPD is Jim McDonald who came from NYPD. A really great guy. I’m afraid he is caught in the cross hairs of liberal politicians who don’t believe in enforcing the law.
The S&W model 10 is a great gun, differing from our S&W model 15’s only by virtue of having fixed sights. I would have preferred the heavy barrel on my duty gun. It is hard to imagine a S&W Chief’s Special for a duty revolver. I know we have had to accommodate our “Sisters in Blue,” but there should be a semblance of common sense. The five-shot, light weight, three inch barrel doesn’t seem like a proper duty gun.
LAPD authorized 125 grain +P jacketed soft point ammo in the early 1980’s. Later authorizing jacketed hollow points as well. We eventually authorized speedy loaders also. Not sure when this occurred, but I think it was sometime after the authorization of better ammo. Yes, all at the officers own expense.
Many of our officers didn’t like the uniform hat either. I thought they added an aire of professionalism.
Sir,
Great article, thank you! Oddly, I was born the year you hired in, and joined my agency the year you retired. We had white shirts and eight point hats (and you’d best be wearing that hat outside) and when you wore the long sleeve shirt you wore a tie. This changed shortly after the 2020 events, to all blue, and a ball cap. No tie. I exercise the option of concealed armor, most folks go for the tactical vest which looks like an army of occupation to me.
I am curious about your issued S&W- it appears to have the spur on the hammer. How was it neutered? When I showed up with a .38 for off duty/back up, ordinance personnel offered to cut off the spur (I like the look and declined).
Riley: First I want to welcome you to the “Blue Brotherhood.” It is interesting that you entered the profession the year I retired. Time flys when you are enjoying yourself and I enjoyed every minute. I hope you are also.
I agree with you about the externally worn tactical vests. They look too much like an occupation force for me. We had the option of long sleeve uniform shirts that had to be worn with a tie (seen in my photographs.) If the temperature rose to 85 degrees or higher open-collar short sleeve uniform shirts were authorized. The uniform hat was required anytime we were out of the police vehicle. Some supervisors took this to the extreme and wrote an officer up even if he exited the police car to chase a suspect. You can’t teach commonsense! Many officers didn’t like the hats and tie. I did! but eventually they were scuttled. Too bad, in my opinion they communicated professionalism.
You are correct about the revolver spur. The spur remained on out revolvers even though they were converted to DAO. The armory staff did the conversion by removing the ability for the hammer to be cocked by modifying the internal mechanism of the gun.
If I can add something for the record, an advantage of the LAPD method of modifying the action and keeping the hammer spur is that it allowed duty holster straps to do a better job of anchoring the gun in the holster. Additionally, an officer could pull the hammer back far enough to allow the cylinder to be turned, for a “high primer” check.
Great observation Mike, I never considered those two factors, even though I checked for high primers often, using the hammer spur. I never carried a holster with a strap.
Great article and I love the history lesson on the LAPD. I’m going to have to look at my uncles old gear, he was a patrolman for the CHP. He was old school with a 6″ Python, which I inherited upon his death. He did have some sort of clam shell holster but he had both dump boxes and an early rubber speed loader. Also got his early Kel Lite flashlight and blackjack which is locked away. I wouldn’t want to be hit with either of those! Don’t know if CHP had batons since it was not with his old gear.
They had them Bill, they were just owned by the department, so he turned it in.
The rubber speedloader is probably a Hunt Multi Loader (aka Kel Lite / Safariland “Firepower Clip”). You can learn about it in our article:
Police Speedloaders of the 70s
We’ve also got articles on the Clamshell holster and other police holsters on the website. Use the term “Fighting Leather” in the search bar and you’ll find the series easy.
Bill: I think it is a blessing that your uncle left his CHP gear to you. The Colt Python is a real classic. I remember seeing CHP patrolmen with that gun in their holster. I was always envious that they could carry a .357 Magnum. We were never allowed to carry anything but a .38 Special. Of course as my career was winding down LAPD transitioned to 9 MM and .45 ACP pistols. You mentioned the “Kel Lite flash light. I carried that flash light almost all my time in a radio car. The Kel Light company was located on North Main Street in Central Division. The Kel Light eventually succumbed to political correctness in favor of plastic light weight flash lights. I guess the powers that be decided a metal flash light was too much of a weapon. The blackjack, “sap” also went the way of the “kel light” due to more liberal political thinking.
Thanks for reading my article
Dick
This was a first rate article. I am a fan of the late Joseph Wambaugh’s works. I joined the Border Patrol in 1990, with a wheel gun, and was detailed to the Los Angeles Riots in May 1992. I remember the LAPD was unapologetically professional. I moved onto and retired from DEA and had the privilege of working with former and retired LAPD officers. From your description of the times and distances of the Target Course, I got the impression that a lot of shooters today would be challenged to meet the standards. When I was formally trained on the revolver, all our shooting was done DA except for the 50-yard line strings, which gave us the option of SA with the barricade. Anyway, in reflection, I can’t think of a single situation where I wasn’t under gunned with a revolver and 18 extra rounds (I’d found a speed loader pouch that held three).
Thanks for posting your experiences.
You can never read too much Wambaugh!
Thank you for reading the article Rob. Bill Jordan made the model 19 S&W and the Border Patrol famous in his book “No Second Place Winner.” In Jordan’s days the six-gun was king. Only the 1911 Colt in .45 ACP could compete and most agencies didn’t authorize the 1911. Probably an early nod to political correctness. I read some of Wambaugh’s books. The “New Centurion” captivated my attention as I was applying for LAPD. I lost interest in his later fiction, due to his focus on the seedy side of police work. On LAPD the authorized handgun has evolved greatly. A few years ago I was having lunch in the police academy cafe. I noticed two uniformed officers who were carrying 1911 style pistols. I was curious because in my day the department would never have authorized patrol officers to carry the 1911, only specialized units like SWAT, who had time for more training could carry the 1911. So, I walked over and asked them if they were in SWAT. They confirmed that they worked patrol. I asked about the pistols and they told me they were authorized to carry it if they could qualify with it. A much more liberal approach by department management than in my era.
Dick, my understanding is that LAPD has a special 1911 training program that must be completed before an officer can have one on their card and use it for duty–similar to the semiauto shotgun program.
Mike: I’m sure you are right about the 1911 training program. The same training process was followed when the 9MM and S&W 45 ACP pistols were authorized. We had to buy our own pistol and attend a three-day training course to qualify with the pistol before we could carry it on duty.
It looks like our orbits were in the same universe. I started with the Ft. Worth Police Department in 1968. We trained using the FBI “crouch” and the old PPC course which ended at the 50 yard line. It was a 50 round course. We were issued bull barrel Model 10’s. I didn’t think so at first but came to believe they were the perfect pistol for a duty weapon. We also were required to use 158 gr. ball ammo. I always hated that. FWPD had pretty good firearms training for the era. In 1974 I became a Special Agent for the US Secret Service. I don’t know how it is today, but back then the revolver training was second to none. I had no choice to improve and none of my co-workers were poor shooters. I really enjoyed the firearms training. We didn’t do the FBI couch, I’d guess for no other reason than it was called the FBI crouch. When I left FWPD we were still using the FBI stance, but from day one with the USSS we were using both hands. The Treasury 110 gr +P+ ammo. I was issued a Model 19-3, 2 1/2″ bbl. I eventually became a firearms instructor. That was a great course in Beltsville, Maryland. Revolvers, shotguns, UZI sub-machine guns, and even hand grenades (never quite understood that). Then in 1978 I found myself assigned to the Los Angles Field Office. My strongest memory of the LA Police Academy was that Thursday was split pea soup day at the cafe. We made that a regular event.
Thank you for the article it brought back a lot of memories. I was drug kicking and screaming into the jamomatic age. I held on to my K frame Snubbie until I was the only one on the re-qualification line. By that time I was a supervisor and my troops colluded with my Admin assistant and a delegation came into my office one day and presented me with a new jam-o-matic. I retired in a couple of years after that. But I always felt perfectly capable with my six gun.
My agency backup qual last year: “and on lane 10 Officer Abbott with a REVOLVER!” I wave to all the curious kids.
Hahaha! I can just hear the gasps!
Golf clap for Officer Abbott, please!
My agency authorized either Glock 26s or steel J-frames as backup guns; I opted for a .357 Model 640 (agency owned). At our quarterly quals, the rangemaster would say, “Okay, this one is for revolvers! All you revolversauruses, step right up!” I always thought if I started a blog, I’d call it “Revolversaurus.”
Sad that one of the best handguns ever designed has been relegated to second place.
What a hoot!
When I was going through firearms in the FWPD academy in 1988, the range master told us about the FBI crouch ( which we didn’t use) and how at some point in the qualification you were supposed to wave with your left hand as a distraction. The range master then asked, which would you notice more, the waving left hand or the .357 revolver in your right hand?
Yeah! BC, I have heard of that distraction technique. People can come up with some strange ideas Huh?
PS: I ended my first post “write again soon.” I wasn’t being polite. Please write again soon. Your article brought back a lot of memories and things younger people don’t know or appreciate. GOOD STUFF!
You are very kind with comments about my article. I agree that things in police work have changed dramatically over the past fifty years. New policemen today have no idea about how things were in our era. I look back on those days, even with the somewhat archaic equipment, as the “golden days” of law enforcement. I am trying to assemble some ideas for other articles.
Boy, “Hunter” that split-pea soup was the best I’ve ever tasted. The academy was built in the mid-1930’s and was operated by the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club, a club made up of all LAPD Officers. LAPRAAC ran the cafe and at that time had an amazing cook who had a magic recipe for that soup. He also made the best cream pies I’ve ever eaten, banana cream, blueberry cream and coconut cream…YUM! The S&W models 10 and 19 are amazing revolvers. I often wished that LAPD had issued the model 10 with a heavy barrel, or if they overcame their objection to the magnum round, that they had issued the model 19 with magnum ammo. Of course, with the magnum it would require a raining program that took into account the significantly greater recoil. I understand the “jam-o-matic” concern. I think pistols have two advantages over revolvers (capacity and reloading speed). The one significant disadvantage, and it is a big one, is that they are more prone to malfunction. With modern speedy loaders and better carry-pouches I think a good revolver overcomes the two advantages of pistols.
Years ago a friend asked me to recommend a handgun for home defense. I showed him several revolvers and pistols and recommended that he get a revolver because, as I explained, if a pistol malfunctions under the stress of a gun fight it takes a well-trained shooter to get it back in operation. He understood and told me he would buy a revolver. A few weeks later he told me he had bought a gun and asked me to go to the range with him to shoot it. I asked what gun did he buy? He said he had purchased a Beretta model 92. We went to the range. After a safety lesson I showed how to load and shoot his new pistol. I stood next to him while he fired two or three magazines and was doing quite well for a new shooter. Then the pistol malfunctioned and Jerry, was confused. He didn’t know what to do. He turned the gun from side to side (never in an unsafe direction) trying to figure out what had happened. I had him lay the gun down on the bench and reminded of my admonition that pistols can malfunction more often than revolvers and that here on the range it really doesn’t matter, but in a gunfight it could be deadly. That week he bought a .38 revolver.
Love reading articles about old time police gear. Back in the mid 80’s Tampa PD issued 3” Model 64’s, double action only, dump pouches, Winchester Silvertips and some cheap leather pouch holster. The PD range issued reloads with soft lead swc bullets that required a Lewis Lead Remover to clean the bores & chambers out. Shortly after the Glock 17 came out they switched to them.
What a great article to read! I’m a current LAPD officer with a love for our history, which is apparently rare for our department. I was issued the M&P9 pistol with its horrible trigger but was able to upgrade to a 1911 and a Staccato with a red dot after doing well enough on the bonus course. I have a few LAPD revolvers and holsters that I would absolutely use on duty were I able to or at least for Bonus. They’re still straight shooters and easy to clean.
I’m fortunate to be part of a small cadre of officers that wear the old style uniforms with the gold buttons, 8-point hats, cross straps and revolvers for special events. The hard part is being able to find first-hand information and actual equipment to be as accurate as possible which this article really helps with. Thank you for the service you provided to LA!
Thank you “Q!” I appreciate your nice comments. That must be quite a pleasure to wear those vintage uniforms for special events. I saw picture of a group of LAPD Officers in front of the Police Museum, wearing those period uniforms. What model of revolver do you carry on those occasions and what holster? I love LAPD history also. I served on the LAPD Museum board of directors (Police Historical Society then) for many years before retirement.
I carry the Model 14 in a Safety Speed flap holster. Most guys prefer the high-speed clamshell but there’s just something about the old widowmaker that calls out to me! I have a few other revolvers but they wouldn’t be accurate to that era but they’re all neutered like how the department wants them.
Dick, as an historian of LAPD history for many years your memories and insights of the ‘classic’ era of the LAPD Academy is captivating to me. Unfortunately what one would regard as the gold standard of academy training that many LAPD veterans went through is long gone. It is the contributions of those who lived it who keep the traditions alive and the LAPD’s reputation as the premier police agency whose origins speak for themselves is greatly appreciated.
Mike Halasi
LAPD Historical Society Charter Member
Mike: It is really good to see you are an LAPD Historical Society member. I served as a member of the LAPHS Board of Directors for several years before retirement. I appreciate you taking the time to read my article. I loved every minute of my almost 37 years with LAPD. There was never a day that I didn’t look forward to going to work. From what I see in the news things have changed dramatically. I think LAPD training began to change when the academy was moved into a modern office building in Westchester. The history and traditions of the Elysian Park Academy were lost and with them, I believe went much of the feeling of honor of being an LA Cop.
Dick,
Amazing article! I love to hear the details of being a law enforcement officer “back in the day”. The same profession but different nuances based on what area of the country you worked. I’m in my 40th year as a deputy sheriff in the Southeast United States. First duty weapon was a S&W 19-3 and it is still a shooting machine! Noticed you are a NA graduate! I graduated from the FBI National Academy in 2006. One of, if not the best experience of my career. The best part is the friendships I made and still have to this day. Really enjoyed your recollections.
John
John:
I appreciate you taking time to read the article about training on LAPD when I began my career. I envy the fact that you were able to carry a S&W model 19. What a fine weapon! I carried a 4″ model 19 for a few years, although I could only carry .38 special ammo in it. I was in NA Class 150, graduated in September of 1987. Truly a wonderful experience. Exchanging information with my classmates was a once in a lifetime experience. The course instructors were outstanding. Did you go to the USMC bar near the academy? I don’t remember the name, but it was an historic hangout.
Yes, but I can’t remember the name either. Seems like a retired Gunny owned it. It was more about atmosphere than the quality of the food or service. Several of us ate supper one night at the OC and ended up meeting General James Mattis. He sat and had several with us. That was a hoot! I was in Session 225 with Bob Arcos from LAPD. I think he ended up assistant chief before he retired. Instructors were great. I think the courses of instruction have really changed in the last 20 years. We were both lucky to attend years ago before things tended to go off the rail.
John:
The name of the bar just occurred to me, the “Globe & Laurel.” You are right on target about it being more about atmosphere and tradition than food. Great being able to meet General Mattis. He has been one of my heroes. I was in command of our forensics division for a few years and attended a forensics conference at the FBI Academy. A guest speaker was Colonel Oliver North. I met him after the presentation. I have completely lost track of what the FBI Academy is like now??? If it is like the rest of our country I can see how it may be in shambles.
Dick
Hi Mike,
Your articles are very interesting !
I’m French, and between 1981 and 2003, our National Police officers carry Manurhin F1 revolvers (very similar to Ruger revolvers) with .357 Magnum ammo.
After 1986, they were issued .38 Special 160 grain FMJ jacket (round nose) ammo (because of a shootout in Paris subway in 1986).
After 1992, French police officers carry .38 Special 150 grain FMJ (flat nose) ammo.
These ammunitions were manufactured by SFM (Societe fraçaise de munitions).
No speedloaders, except for Special police units, just ammo pouchs for “regular” cops. I know some lads who buy Safariland and HKS speedloaders.
Between 1981 and 2003, a French cop carry 12 ammo : 6 in the wheelgun, and 6 in his ammo pouch which was fixed to his holster.
I know that “Special police units” like the RAID and the GIGN and “bodyguard units” used to carry Manurhin 73 revolvers with 3 inch and 4 inch barrel (RAID) ; 3 inch, 4 inch and 5 1/4 inch barrel (GIGN).
The duty ammo for these special units were Lapua and Norma brands, probably hollow points bullets.
The last time I saw French police officers carrying Manurhin F1 revolvers was in 2006.
The Manurhin 73 is still in use in the GIGN, as a “signature/ceremonial” weapon and for the famous “tir de confiance ” (confidence drills).
The French park rangers from the ONF still carry Manurhin 88 revolvers (Manurhin F1).
Greeting from France.
Pierre.
Pierre, thank you for sharing this wonderful information France! We are starting to see some surplus MR73, MR88, and S&W M65 revolvers get imported from France, now that your police are not using them. Soyez prudent!
You’re welcome Mike !
Our Three Main French law enforcement agencies (National police, National Gendarmerie and Customs) use the same handgun : Sig Pro 2022 in 9mm Luger.
Since 2011, the carry ammo is the Speer Gold Dot 124 grain.
Before 2011, the French National Police and Customs used …RUAG/Geco FMJ 124 grain FMJ ammo (that’s not a joke !).
Before 2011, the Gendarmerie used the MEN 90 grain QD1 ammo (a better choice).
RAID, GIGN and the other special police units use Glock 17, 19 and 26 pistols, but also SIG P226/228 pistols.
In my opinion, the SIG Pro 2022 is a decent handgun for “regular cops”, if they maintain properly it.
I like striker-fired pistols but I prefer by far wheelguns, maybe because of some US detective movies like “To live and Die in L.A”, “Blak Rain”.
A suivre !
Thank you again, Pierre! I appreciate the update on what your police are currently carrying.
The SP2022 is an excellent pistol and the Speer 124 grain Gold Dot is an excellent load. Your police officers are well-armed.
It has been many years since I’ve watched “To Live and Die in LA”–I will have to revisit it, based on your recommendation!
Very interesting article! Thanks for sharing.
Watching an episode of “Adam-12” and Malloy seemed to be wearing an 8-point hat led me down the rabbit hole to your fascinating reminiscence.
A question – in the group photo at the end, there looks to be an officer in tan/khaki hat and uniform. Is that right? If so, what’s his story?
Thanks again
Bo:
Thanks for taking time to read my article. You are very observant to notice the one tan uniform in a sea of navy blue. During the era when I went through the academy several police departments in Southern California contracted with LAPD for academy training of their new police officers. There were four recruit officers from other agencies in my academy class when we started the academy on March 22, 1971. Ninety eight officers began training in March. Seventy eight graduated on August 6,1971. Only one of the officers from other agencies mage it to graduation. I believe he was from West Covina PD.
Dick
Makes sense! Thanks.
Hi Dick,
I have no law enforcement background to share, but you do have a great writing style that made me think of my Dad. He was an Army MP at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland in the mid-1950s. Naturally his sidearm was a 1911A1 pistol with a flap holster. He used to tell me stories of his experiences that kept me closely listening. I wish he were still here to tell me more.
Thank you for your recollections!
Thanks Adam for reading my article.
I have fond memories of my Dad taking me and my brother to shoot .22 LR rifles. That experience is what led to my lifelong love of firearms. That 1911A1 is one of the best pistols ever designed. Over 100 years and still ticking and as popular as ever. Designed by John Browning, a true firearms genius.
Dick
I’m in my 25th year as a police officer in Caldwell, Idaho. My father was Idaho State Police. He retired in 94 and passed away in 2016. Our son just started with the NYPD and is very proud of being third generation law enforcement.
When I started in 2000 Caldwell was approximately 28,000 and my agency was a 35-officer department. We now have close to 80,000 people and I believe we number 80 officers. Many changes. When I started, I carried a SIG Sauer P220 (45acp) with two 7 round mags, a Remington 870, a collapsible baton, a can of pepper spray and two set of handcuffs. There was no computer in my car and I had a mini-cassette recorder in my breast pocket. No cell phone and I relied on a map book and a legal pad. Now I carry a Glock 45 with weapon light and a Steiner red dot sight and two 17 round mags for reload. A Danile Defense M4 carbine with weapon light and red dot sight. A Taser, pepper spray and an Axon body camera that activates if I turn on my taser or pull my pistol out of the holster. I have a department issued iphone, a computer (MDT) in my patrol vehicle and all other types of electronic goodies (drones, license plate readers etc) that are collectively used by my agency.
There are times that I feel overwhelmed by all the tech (I’m 57 as I type this). As is true with change some I like and some I don’t. However, I have to say that I prefer the external vest carrier in contrast to the twenty-one years of wearing a vest under my uniform shirt. The external carrier has removed a-lot of heavy items off of my belt (and placed them on the vest) and helped with my saving my back. It’s also great to be able to take off that carrier when I am working on reports back in the station. When it’s 105 degrees that vest is a portable sauna and being able to get some relief from the heat is welcomed. I get it. Retired cops often like to sneer at the current LEO generation. I am now working with officers who were born after I started with my agency. My kids are older than many of fellow officers and I am old enough to be their father. They’re good officers who have backed my up and were not found wanting. They understand all the technology, but they also have the willingness to go toe to toe with the bad guys. To all the curmudgeons I have to say this: try to remember that there were old cops (retired or close to retirement) who had similar things to say about you and your equipment when you started. I don’t care about myself but don’t slam the newbies. They do visit these sites and the snarkiness does hurt them.
Incidentally Caldwell’s Chief is former LAPD. He was a Lieutenant and was appointed as our Chief in 2022.
Jeff, it’s always great to hear from you, and I appreciate the look back at your own journey!
I just got home a few hours ago from teaching a class of 24 officers/deputies from 6 different agencies in Less Lethal employment. Lots of young folks in that class with birth years that start in “20xx,” and while they do things differently than our generation did, I’m still generally pleased with what I’m seeing. I know hiring standards aren’t what they used to be in many places, but we’re still attracting some sharp folks out here, and I’m grateful to have them working on our behalf. We would do well to heed your advice, and invest our time and energy in them, to help them become even better than they are. God bless them all!
Mr. Bonneau,
I was never LE but several family members were. Much respect! Always support the thin blue line. Thoroughly enjoyed the history lesson. Especially the details in the ammo and your duty gear. Couple of years ago I bought an 1969 S&W Model 10, 4″ HB that was a Michigan SP issued gun that was obviously retired. Someone completely went through it and reblued it. I’ve learned to run it pretty well in this day and age of plastic guns. So several times a year I’ll bring her out and run it hard, speedloaders and all. 🫡
Gary Paul Johnston/11751
Dear Dick Bonneau, we’ve much in common other than being 84. I joined on 10/28/63 and recall Bob Smittson, Bob Koga, Don Stanley, Sgt. Arenson & all. I was handed my Colt Ofcr’s Model Match by Guy Hogue and was friends him and his sons for years, and Jim Dougherty became a good friend. Jerry Bova was top in class and I was at court every day with the Detwiler incident. The second time we shot I made expert two handed and loved shotgun, as I’d been shooting before I was 10 and had a 1911 when I was 15. I started in Hollenbeck, PIC for 3 months (required) & then to University (S/W) where I worked Midwatch, 6 to 3 all the time except for the Riot (there’s another story). Two close friends were Joe Vanfleet and John Christensen who would go shooting in the desert almost every other weekend. I’d buy primed .38 brass from the Academy and load them myself, and buy a box or two of issue .38’s to test. No one liked the 158’s and finally we were allowed to buy and use a new Remington, I think it was 125 close to 1000 fps. Sometimes I’d take my 1911 for comparison with stuff we’d shoot. I’d bought a custom holster from Ojala’s, but I didn’t mind the flap rig, as it was fast if you knew how some “old timers” worked it by curling up the flap enough to come up under with the right thumb. Looks like the Indians were after you with that “Widow Maker!” I never knew about going to 4″ guns or rendering them DA only, but it was a good idea. Strange, but we knew about the “clamshell” in 64 and I only saw one or two with an LT telling one guy to get rid of his!
One day the division Juvenile Sgt (Perkins) asked if I’d go plane close with him for 3 months, and said if I did he’d get me into Georgia Juvenile. I barely knew him, but he knew me inside out. I told him I really wanted Metro, but he told me with a year in Georgia I could go wherever I wanted. I did the time and all was great, but my wife had been sick with 1 & 1/2 kids, hated CAL & wanted Ohio. I finally gave in and did 25 years with the Shaker Heights P.D. next to Cleveland. I think is was 71 when a guy brought 40 pounds of flaked TNT in and blew up the P.D., jail, range, como & Muni Court. I missed it by about 3 minutes as did 10 guys who had just gone on duty. Many injuries but only the AH died. Four years later and a new P.D., I was asked to go to Juvenile, made Sgt., weapons, under cover and then LT and SWAT. Ron McCarthy had been a buddy and about 1983 he offered to fly back with 3 other guys for a 3-day at a huge cop playground I volunteered at. I got 4 or 5 other P.D. SWAT guys and it was the best work out they ever had!
In 74 a friend asked me if I’d write something on police for Guns & Ammo. That spread to more than 20 other magazines + 4 books until about 3 years ago. I had retired in 1991 and headed for Colorado. I think I’d better go EOW as I think we’re both yawing. I think there was a mention of photography, but not sure if a couple would fit…. Well they must be too big. One of my “exact” Colt and one of me during the riot.
Sir, I’ve enjoyed your work over the years, and I’m very happy to see you here in the comments. Thanks for sharing your story! I’ll make sure Dick sees your comment, so he can reply. 1*
Gary—WOW! Do you ring the “memory bells” with your LAPD info. I knew almost all the guys you mentioned and so many of the stories ring true for my time with LAPD. My son, grandson and I are flying to Baltimore in the morning to attend the Army vs Navy football game. That game has been on my bucket list for a long time. I know I better do it now before the “list” expires. I would like to reply in greater detail when I return.
Thank you for taking time to read my article!
Dick