When I first got out of college (early 80’s) I took a job as a patrolman in a small town. Our issued sidearm was the same as most other police departments, a revolver. Very, very few police agencies issued semi-autos at that time.
Today I work in another field (though I’m still a part-time sworn officer for a local municipality). The point is, I don’t know of anyone in law enforcement who carries a revolver. I’m just wondering: Are there any police agencies out there who still issue revolvers?
Here in Portland, OR. I have not seen a cop carrying anything other than a Glock in a long time, but I do work for a former LAPD and PDXPD officer and we were discussion this previously. When he was working the restriction was only that a .357 MAG was the larges caliber you could carry. (presumedly Detective Harry Callahan was exempt from this restriction as he was a detective so his .44MAG was ok.)
With the quality of ammunition for semi-autos out there and the need for the kind of speed and firepower you can only get from a semi it’s probably just a logical choice to go with them nowadays.