^^ Curious.... Why would being from a rural or small PD explain the choice in firearm?
Just don't ever see a savage being a sound choice for a tactical situation.
What
@MarinePMI said mirrors our small town LE here as well. Most of the time it’s guys who volunteered for that spot. The Dept doesn’t necessarily need it. So they end up using their own weapon or the Dept gives them a very limited budget and a basic class to get certified
Sometimes it’s guys who join an ERT team and just want the title of “sniper” or a role that the team wants for that just in case scenario
Could just be a long range asset in an active shooter or ambush situation where you have the capability to reach out a ways and want certification for your officer should he be needed
Even the ERT team we had was just normal everyday deputies who were sent to swat school and made up a team that would get called in if needed. More serious or drawn out situations where time permits went to state police who had a full time ERT. But it usually took a minimum of 4-6 hours for them to get to our rural part of the state. Thus the need for the Dept to have an immediately available unit if needed.
Chances are the OP is small town Dept, developing a team for “just in case” scenarios. He volunteered for the sniper role. Likely because he wants the title. As anyone who is on Dept with full time ERT and sniper positions would likely not run a savage and likely have a predetermined rifle/optic/ammo you’d be issued to use.
Small town guys generally get to select whatever they want and get it approved. Most of that due to the fact that this position is likely not taken seriously by the Dept
Buddy of mine went through same thing. Small town, basic sniper class, for just in case scenario, wanted to do it, ran a savage, the savage crapped out, he qualified with another officers rifle. Has since lost interest in the role and has not been utilized as he thought he’d be
Obviously this is just my assumption