August 26, 2025
Police Department
DATE: August 26, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Bisa French, Chief of Police
Subject:
Approve the Purchase of Replacement Upper Receivers
for SWAT Rifles from LC Action Policy Supply
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed expenditure of $18,010.58 will be allocated from the Richmond Police Department's approved budget
for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year - account string 01194021- 400603.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Police Department is seeking
authorization to purchase Daniel Defense replacement
upper receivers and flash hiders for existing SWAT rifles, in accordance with the Department's 2025 projected
acquisitions as outlined in the Council-approved 2024
Annual Military Equipment Report.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE the purchase of Daniel Defense replacement
upper receivers and flash hiders from LC Action Police
Supply for existing SWAT rifles in the amount of
$18,010.58 – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-
621-1802).
AGENDA
REPORT
August 26, 2025
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Police Department (RPD) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team currently uses AR-15-style rifles, many of which are 12 to 20 years old. While these rifles have functioned reliably, they have reached the end of their service life due to age and repeated use.
The upper receivers, where most wear occurs, require extensive parts replacement.
The list of parts that should be replaced on the SWAT Team rifle upper receivers include, but are not limited to:
1. Barrel
2. Bolt
3. Bolt Carrier
4. Cam Pin
5. Firing Pin
6. Extractor
7. Retaining Pin
8. Ejector
9. Gas Block
10. Gas Tube
11. Handguard
12. Charging Handle
13. Ejector spring
14. Extractor Spring
After reviewing costs, City staff determined that purchasing new upper receivers is more cost-effective than refurbishing the existing ones. Refurbishment would cost up to $1,100 in parts plus labor, testing, and potential follow-up repairs. In contrast, a new upper receiver costs $1,160 and includes a manufacturer's warranty.
In addition to the rifle uppers, City staff is requesting the purchase of HUXWRX 5.56 flash hiders, which are required for compatibility with current suppressor systems and to enhance operational performance. The need for this equipment was identified in the 2024 Annual Military Equipment Report and approved by the City Council.
Subsequently, RPD staff solicited quotes from various vendors and LC Action Police Supply offered the lowest pricing for the necessary parts replacement.
City staff recommends proceeding with the purchase from LC Action for rifle upper receivers and flash hiders, to ensure SWAT officers are equipped with safe, reliable, and mission-ready firearms during critical incident responses.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 - Quote Package