Weapons
In the 1990s, the majority of law enforcement agencies of Canada began wearing bulletproof vests and municipal police agencies started carrying semi-automatic handguns in the .40 S&W calibre cartridge. In terms of numbers of officers, and due to its use by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the most widely used weapon is the Smith & Wesson 5946 with hollow-point 9mm calibre ammunition.
These firearms replaced the aging .38 Special revolver. A significant number of agencies have begun to use the Sig Sauer semi-automatic handgun in the .40 S&W calibre. A Police cruiser might carry a Carbine rifle; or a shotgun capable of firing a variety of shotgun shells including the less-lethal flexible baton round and rubber bullets.
Other less-lethal weapons carried include conducted energy weapons (Taser), pepper spray and an expandable baton. In addition, the personal equipment of police officers typically includes: handcuffs, flashlight, portable radio, notebook, and a pair of disposable gloves and Kevlar gloves.
Read more about this topic: Law Enforcement In Canada