Tell City Police Upgrade to Glock 45 Pistols, Funded by Community Donations

Tell City Police Department completed a lifecycle replacement of its primary duty pistols this week, transitioning every officer to the Glock 45 in 9mm after a review by department administration, the firearms instructor, and the training team concluded the change was warranted.

The new sidearms come equipped with advanced sight system technology designed to improve shooting accuracy and allow for faster target acquisition. Each pistol is paired with modern, high-security holsters that provide enhanced retention and officer safety, replacing the department's previous duty carry setup.

What distinguishes the upgrade is how it was paid for. With the generous support of their donors and community partners, the initiative was completed without placing any burden on taxpayers or the department's general operating budget. The full cost of the pistols, holsters, and associated equipment was covered through private donations and community support, meaning the transition did not draw from Tell City's public funds.

Officers are currently engaged in training to ensure a smooth and effective transition to the new equipment. The department has not announced a specific completion date for the training cycle, but the Glock 45 9mm is now the designated primary duty pistol for Tell City officers.

The department described its broader commitment in a statement: it remains dedicated to providing officers with modern, reliable tools that enable them to serve and protect the community safely and effectively.

Tell City is the county seat of Perry County and home to a police department that patrols a small but active river community. Community-funded equipment upgrades of this scale are relatively uncommon for small municipal departments, making the donor network behind the transition a notable element of the story. The specific donors and total dollar amount of the initiative have not been publicly disclosed.