Marshal bypasses city, buys Glocks for deputies from public donors

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Aug 20)

The Muscogee County marshal has raised $9,500 from private donors to buy each of his deputies new guns.

Marshal Kenneth Suddeth purchased 15 Glock .45-caliber pistols. The guns cost about $365 each with trade-ins. The rest of the money will be used to buy new holsters and magazines for the guns, Suddeth said.

Suddeth made his announcement at a press conference Thursday morning in the Government Center. He spent most of the time talking about how great the weapon is and even had a representative from Glock welcoming his office to the "Glock family." There were no city officials present.

Suddeth wrote a letter to private citizens dated Dec. 10, 2003, soliciting funds for uniforms and weapons for his deputies.

"The weapons we have been using have been in service for the past 11 years and we want to update them with Glock handguns that are more accurate and easier to handle," Suddeth said in the letter.

Those who contributed include Mary G. Walker Realty Co., Ashley Motor Co., Korean Association of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 665 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 56, Suddeth said.

In December, when city officials found out Suddeth was soliciting private donations, they questioned why he felt he needed to go to the public.

City Manager Carmen Cavezza was not aware Suddeth had bought the weapons Thursday evening.

"I didn't realize he had the money," Cavezza said. "I'm kind of surprised by it."

Usually, city departments coordinate with Cavezza and the Finance Department to make purchases and take it before Columbus Council for approval.

"Since he's an elected official, I have no control over it," Cavezza said.

Suddeth said he requested the funding for the guns as part of the 2005 budget, but was told by the city manager's office that "the city cannot afford the costly purchase for my department."

Councilor Nathan Suber said if the marshal would have come before council requesting the funds, he would have received them. "I think it's wonderful that citizens want to support public safety, but the city government provides funding for weapons."

In January, council authorized the purchase of 30 semi-automatic Glock pistols for Muscogee County sheriff deputies.

Mayor and Public Safety Director Bob Poydasheff said Suddeth should have discussed the matter with him before buying the guns and he didn't see the necessity of the purchase.

"He's been provided by the budget with what he really needs," Poydasheff said. "I have never been told by him that he needed new weapons."

The marshal's duties include providing security for Municipal Court and serving papers.

"I don't, candidly, know if the weapon is what is needed," Poydasheff said. "I just don't understand it."
  ¶ 12:16 PM