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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0014 - Firearms Training Handling QualificationRed Wing Police Department Policy SUBJECT: POLICY NUMBER • FIREARMS TRAINING, HANDLING, QUALIFICATION 14 EFFECTIVE DATE February 8, 2008 REFERENCE(S): APPROVED BY: CHIEF ROGER D. POHLMAN PURPOSE: Police Officers must be properly instructed in the use and skill with a firearm. In order to protect yourself, your fellow officers, and society, officers must be properly instructed and trained in firearms usage and laws pertaining to that use. POLICY: The policy of this Department is that all officers and part-time officers who carry a departmental or personal firearm shall be properly instructed and trained in the use of and laws pertaining to the use of firearms, and shall be tested periodically to assure their proficiency. 1. TRAINING STANDARDS A. All officers and part-time officers must qualify at least once a year. B. A score of 80% in a departmentally approved course of fire will be a minimum standard for officers and part-time officers using any departmental firearm or full-time officers using department approved secondary or off-duty firearm. C. Each officer and part-time officer must qualify with the actual sidearm they will be using while he/she is on duty. Full-time officers must also qualify with any secondary or off-duty firearm that they may carry, prior to carrying that firearm. D. Firearms qualification must be observed and scored by a Range Officer who must be a certified training instructor in firearms. F. Officers and part-time officers will be given two opportunities to meet the minimum standards. Officers and part-time officers unable to qualify during the time period will be given additional training in an effort to obtain qualification. The additional training must be received within ten days of failing to qualify. The Officers and part-time officers will then be given two more opportunities to meet the minimum standards. Officers are required to meet minimum standards of qualification as set by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board and the Red Wing Police Department. Failure to qualify with any required departmental issued firearm could result Page 1 of 4 FIREARMS TRAINING, HANDLING, QUALIFICATION -POLICY 14 in disciplinary action, including termination, for failing to maintain minimum standards. Failure to qualify with any non -departmental firearm (off-duty handgun) shall prohibit the officer from carrying such handgun until such time as they can qualify. 2. SHOTGUNS AND LONG GUNS A. All officers and part-time officers will be instructed in the safe handling and proper operation of the shotgun and other departmental long guns. This will include the following: Proper use of safety on the shotgun and other long guns. 2. Proper procedure for loading and unloading 3. Understanding of the shotgun's and other long gun's range, shot pattern and penetration characteristics, 4. Demonstration to Range Officer of your understanding of these concepts by unloading, loading, and firing at least 10 rounds B. All officers and part-time officers shall be required to qualify with all departmental issued long guns that they may be called upon to use. C. All shotguns and rifles in marked police vehicles will have the magazine loaded and the chamber empty and shall be kept in a locking device within the front passenger portion of the vehicle when possible. This procedure will prevent accidental discharge of the weapon in the vehicle. D. All long guns will be stored in the following conditions. The safety button for the rifle and shotgun shall be on safe at all times when the weapon is stored in the police vehicle. 2. The TRIGGER on a shotgun shall be in a depressed position so that the weapon shall be in a discharged or fired condition. 3. The CHAMBER will be kept empty at all times that the weapon is stored in the Police vehicle. 4. The MAGAZINE will be filled to its operational capacity; a. Shotguns with #00 buckshot rounds issued by the Department. b. Rifles with department supplied .223 Caliber rounds. Page 2 of 4 FIREARMS TRAINING, HANDLING, QUALIFICATION -POLICY 14 3. HANDLING OF FIREARMS A. No officer or part-time officer shall remove his/her firearm from its holster except for the following reasons: At the request of a Supervisory Officer or Department Armorer for the purpose of inspection; 2. In the performance of official duties, including training, requiring the use of the firearm; a. When used in training, all firearms shall be rendered safe by unloading while pointed at a department supplied clearing/charging barrel, or if at the RW Sportsman's Club, down range. The chamber shall be visually inspected to ensure it is empty. b. Transportation of the unloaded firearm within the department area shall be conducted with the chamber open and the slide, if so equipped, locked back. The slide may be closed for the exercise portions of the training provided it has been visually inspected by the issued officer and at least one other officer. 3. For the purposes of cleaning or maintenance of a weapon in the designated area; a. The designated area for cleaning or inspection of firearms shall be the firearms maintenance room. b. When handling any weapon in the firearms maintenance room, the weapon shall be rendered safe by unloading while pointed at a department supplied clearing/charging barrel and the chamber shall be visually inspected to ensure it is empty. B. Shotguns or long guns may be carried uncased to and from police vehicles for the purposes of cleaning, training or repair. They shall be unloaded for this purpose. It is recommended that the long guns be removed from the squads within the LEC garage, and brought to the clearing/charging barrel located in the garage. C. Loading of the rifle or shotgun shall be done using department supplied clearing/charging barrel or if at the RW Sportsman's Club, down range. The safety on the rifle and shotgun should be placed on safe before returning them to squads. Page 3 of 4 FIREARMS TRAINING, HANDLING, QUALIFICATION -POLICY 14 D. OFFICERS AND PART-TIME OFFICERS SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN HORSEPLAY OR QUICK DRAW ACTIVITIES AT ANY TIME WHETHER THE WEAPON IS LOADED OR NOT. THE QUICK DRAW PROVISION DOES NOT APPLY TO TRAINING EXERCISES THAT REQUIRE REPETITIVE DRAWING AND HOLSTERING OF THE HANDGUN. Page 4 of 4 FIREARMS TRAINING, HANDLING, QUALIFICATION -POLICY 14