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SECTION: 611 FIREARMS

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SECTION: 611

TITLE:     FIREARMS

EFFECTIVE DATE:  February 15, 2017

 

 

 

PURPOSE

 

This policy establishes guidelines and policies dealing with the carrying and qualifying of firearms.

 

POLICY

 

Since there exists the chance that sworn personnel may be called upon to defend themselves or others with deadly force, the Department is committed to ensuring firearms proficiency by meeting State minimum standards. They shall also only utilize weapons set forth in this policy for on duty assignment, off duty security details and utilization of departmental vehicles.

 

FIREARMS POLICY

 

 All commissioned enforcement deputies may choose from the following calibers for use as a duty firearm.  Forty-five caliber (.45) Forty caliber (.40) Thirty-eight Caliber (.38) Nine millimeter (9mm)   Use of any other caliber as a duty firearm may be approved by the Sheriff.

 

Off-duty deputies shall carry an approved weapon at all times while utilizing a Departmental vehicle. Off-duty weapons shall be concealed at all times, unless departmental badge is visible to the general public.

 

Deputies working on-duty assignments, off -duty security details or while utilizing a departmental vehicle shall carry their approved firearm with which they have completed qualifications. There shall be no alterations /changes to firearms without approval from the Sheriff.

 

All weapons shall be in good operating and clean condition. Deputies shall exercise care and judgment while carrying weapons.

Deputies must qualify the standard POST firearms course with any back-up or off-duty weapon.

 

Ammunition to be utilized for on-duty personnel must be approved by the Department Firearms Instructors or the Sheriff.

 

FIREARMS QUALIFICATIONS

 

All deputies shall qualify under P.O.S.T. guidelines. All deputies shall re-qualify, on an annual basis, or as directed by the Sheriff.

 

Prior to carrying any new weapon on duty, deputies shall successfully pass the P.O.S.T. course.

 

All firearms carried by deputies shall be inspected by the Departmental Firearms Instructors.

 

A training record shall be maintained by the Departmental Firearms Instructors on every weapon qualified by departmental personnel.

 

If a deputy's duty weapon is in need of repair and is not capable for duty assignment, the deputy shall immediately notify his supervisor. A replacement weapon shall be assigned by the department. The weapon utilized during this period shall require the deputy to qualify with the weapon to be carried within 5 days of its being assigned.

 

Failure to qualify with a duty weapon will result in a re-trainer session scheduled by the Department Firearms Instructor within five (5) working days. P.O.S.T. standards will be utilized for the re-training session. Failure to qualify a weapon after the re-training session will subject the deputy to disciplinary action.

 

Only deputies who have successfully passed the Departmental shotgun qualification course shall be authorized to carry shotguns.

 

Only deputies who have successfully passed the departmental patrol rifle

qualifications shall be authorized to carry patrol rifles.

 

Any deputy who is assigned the responsibility of utilizing a special weapon shall successfully complete a Departmental approved qualifying course.