Police Department Outfitting Rifles With Suppressors to Save on Comp Costs

Tuesday, October 17, 2017 | 0

Police officers in Spokane, Washington, will soon be carrying suppressed rifles in their cruisers in an effort to shield themselves from hearing damage and avoid related workers' compensation claims, according to a report by the Spokesman-Review.

The Spokesman-Review reports that the Spokane City Council approved a contract to purchase suppressors for 181 service rifles to protect the city from the legal cost of compensation claims filed by police officers. Although they're colloquially know as "silencers," suppressors don't actually silence a gun.

The newspaper said the Police Department claims the type of rifle its officers use can be as loud as 152 decibels. With a suppressor, the sound volume would be reduced to 134 decibels.

According to the Spokesman-Review, five officers have filed workers’ compensation claims for hearing loss they said was the result of being exposed to gunfire. A spokesman for the Police Department said the $115,000 contract to purchase the suppressors will save the city money in the long run by avoiding having to pay for hearing aids and batteries if a workers’ compensation claim is successful.

“If we have to buy those for a person who lives another 30 to 40 years, these suppressors will more than pay for themselves,” police Maj. Eric Olsen said.