Make the Police suffer loss

[Zona]

I think removing the weapons locker or making all weapons paid would shift the balance too much, which is why I am against the old way of things.

Maybe weapon cooldowns or something. If you constantly get yourself killed or died recently with the M4/AWP/Shotgun equipped, you cannot use the gun for X amount of time, and instead, have to opt-in for SMGs & pistols or something.

It gives the cops more of a reason to value their life, as they can't just constantly pick the best equipment they want, so there is a compromise. But also at the same time, I would say it's better than removing the weapons locker or making paid weapons, as it still encourages cops to do their job instead of just being cannon fodder armed with just a pistol because of the weapon prices.

Though not a perfect system, as it would count RDM, CDM and such as deaths. But it would make Rambo cop a less desirable choice.
Also, cops might prefer the SMGs as standard patrol weapons and save M4s for raids / other important situations.

Pretty much agree with you here. I always select the SMGs while being on duty and only "carry" the pistol and I normally use /me to equipt the SMG from my vehicle.