During the revolver era in American law enforcement, cartridges (much) more powerful than 38 Special were readily available for the police revolver. That the 38 Special predominated suggests that it was considered adequate.
My grandfather was the Sherrifs for 28 years back the the revolver heyday and the 38 special was considered minimal and nothing more.
Police were not involved in nearly shootings as they are today and were not targeted by radical groups like they are today.
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
