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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIREARMS 1 4B TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE: FIREARMS GENERAL ORDER: 1.4C EFFECTIVE: September 9, 2011 REVISES: G.O. 1.4B PAGES: 4 CONTENTS: This order consists of the following numbered sections: I. AUTHORIZED FIREARMS II. FIREARMS QUALIFICATION III. REMEDIAL TRAINING IV. INSPECTION AND REPAIR OF FIREARMS V. REVIEW OF WEAPONS, FIREARMS, AND AMMUNITION VI. SAFETY AND SECURITY OF FIREARM VII. OFFICERS SURRENDERING FIREARM VIII. CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT IX. SPECIAL PURPOSE TACTICAL FIREARMS X. SECOND/BACKUP FIREARM XI. GLOSSARY PURPOSE: To establish guidelines and procedures for the possession of firearms by Police Officers, and to ensure that officers are properly trained in the use of firearms. SCOPE: This order applies to all Police Department members. DISCUSSION: Florida law allows law enforcement agencies the autonomy and discretion to regulate the use and carrying of firearms by their law enforcement officers. It is imperative that the control of firearms is strictly maintained and all members, who are authorized to carry firearms, receive training in their use. POLICY: Before carrying any firearm, Police Department members must complete a state certification program; be issued a copy of the agency “Use of Force” policy; be trained in agency policies relating to the use of deadly and nondeadly force; and demonstrate proficiency in the use of firearms. All members will act in good faith in the exercise of the use of force, and conform with the provisions of Florida Statutes and this general order. PROCEDURE: I. AUTHORIZED FIREARMS: Only firearms and ammunition specifically authorized by the Chief, and inspected by the agency armorer, will be carried by members on or off duty. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that members carry only authorized firearms and ammunition. An officer may use any weapon or force necessary to protect themselves or another from immediate danger in a life-threatening situation. A. Law Enforcement Officers: G.O. 1.4C 1. On duty, uniformed and plainclothes officers will carry and use their department authorized or issued handgun as their primary firearm. The primary service weapon issued by the department is the Glock model 22, 23, or 27 semi- automatic 40 caliber pistol. 2. Each patrol vehicle is equipped with an authorized shotgun. Shotguns will be inspected and approved by the agency armorer before they are carried. 3. The department authorized or issued firearm is also approved for off duty carry. 4. Officers in uniform may wear an exposed firearm when in contact with the public. Officers in civilian attire will conceal the firearm from public view, unless the officer has the badge prominently displayed. B. Firearms for Off Duty Use by Authorized Members: 1. State certified law enforcement officers have the right to carry a department authorized or issued firearm concealed on or about their person while within the geographical limits of the United States. 2. Officers will carry their agency badge and identification to identify them as a police officer when carrying an agency authorized firearm. II. FIREARMS QUALIFICATION: Members must annually demonstrate proficiency with every model firearm they are authorized to use. This will involve the actual firing of the firearm. A. Firearm proficiency will be demonstrated with ammunition provided by the agency, in the presence and control of an authorized agency firearm instructor, and will be documented in the employee’s training file. III. REMEDIAL TRAINING: Certified members, who fail to demonstrate proficiency with an authorized firearm, will receive remedial training. A. An officer who fails to demonstrate proficiency on the first attempt will be afforded a second chance immediately. Members who fail their second attempt will undergo a refresher course on the basics of sight alignment, trigger control, and target acquisition before attempting for a third time. The officer will then be required to complete two successive rounds, which may be done on the same day, if time permits. If proficiency is not obtained on the same day and further training is required, the member will be placed in a training schedule consisting of a minimum of twenty four hours up to a maximum of forty hours, if needed. At the conclusion of the training the member must demonstrate proficiency. B. If qualifying becomes a liability concern for the department, the officer may be suspended if appropriate circumstances are warranted. IV. INSPECTION AND REPAIR OF FIREARMS: A. All firearms carried by Police Department members will be maintained to factory specifications or standards approved by the agency armorer. Only routine maintenance will be performed by the agency armorer. All firearms will be inspected by the armorer before being placed into service. B. The armorer or a qualified designee will inspect all issued/approved firearms during firearm proficiency testing. 1. Any firearm found defective will be immediately withdrawn from use. The firearm will not be carried until it has been reinspected by the agency armorer. 2. The armorer will ensure that a record is made of the type, description, model, and serial number of each officer’s authorized firearm(s). The records will be maintained in the officer’s training file. 2 G.O. 1.4C C. Maintenance performed by agency members will be limited to field stripping and cleaning the firearm. D. Ammunition for all authorized firearms carried by members on or off duty will be restricted to ammunition supplied by the agency. V. REVIEW OF WEAPONS, FIREARMS, AND AMMUNITION: A. The chief or his designee will supervise the selection of authorized firearms, weapons, holsters, accessories, and ammunition members carry and use in the performance of official duties, both on and off duty.The department firearms instructor is responsible for establishing strict control over all firearm safety, testing and evaluation. VI. SAFETY AND SECURITY OF FIREARMS: Members are responsible for the safety and security of all firearms under their control. A. All firearms will be carried in a safe and secure manner. 1. Semiautomatic pistols will be carried loaded with a round in the chamber. 2. Shotguns will be carried in a “cruiser safe” condition with the safety on, magazine loaded, and the chamber empty. Shotguns will be kept in the trunk, locked gun rack, or secured area, unless being used. B. Officers will be responsible for securing firearms in a safe place and taking reasonable precautions against theft or availability to unauthorized persons. Officers will not lend an issued firearm to any unauthorized person. C. It is unlawful for any adult to store or leave a firearm in the reach or easy access of a minor. This includes law enforcement members. VII. OFFICERS SURRENDERING FIREARM: Surrendering a firearm may mean giving away the only chance for survival; therefore, officers should use every tactical tool at their disposal to avoid surrendering firearms. VIII. CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT: Members have the right to apply for a concealed weapon permit from the State of Florida, Division of Licensing. A. Members who wish to carry a firearm/weapon off duty as a private citizen must comply with those sections of F.S. 790 applicable to private citizens. B. Members are prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon/firearm while on duty on the basis of a state-issued permit. C. The agency assumes no liability for those individuals who choose to carry a firearm/weapon authorized by a state issued permit. IX. SPECIAL PURPOSE TACTICAL FIREARMS. The Tequesta Police Department will supply tactical firearms, as necessary. A special purpose tactical firearm is defined as any firearm other than those approved by this policy. Privately owned special purpose tactical firearms will be carried and used only upon the written authorization of the Chief of Police. The Records Department shall maintain a copy of all letters authorizing such firearms in the member’s Training File. SECOND/BACKUP FIREARMS: This X. All Law Enforcement personnel may carry a second/backup firearm. weapon may be carried in conjunction with but not limited to the personnel’s primary approved on/off duty weapon. Second/backup firearms include the following: A . Any approved on duty/off duty weapon. 3 G.O. 1.4C B. Any other weapon which has been submitted for inspection and approval to the department armorer. The inspection by the armorer is to ensure the reliability and safety of the weapon. C. Second/backup firearms will be concealed from plain view. D. Second/backup firearm shall only be carried by officers who have shown proficiency with the firearm. XI. GLOSSARY. PRIMARY FIREARMS - Firearms approved by the Chief for official use by designated members. INDEXING: AMMUNITION CONCEALED WEAPONS PERMIT FIREARMS OFF DUTY FIREARM ON DUTY FIREARM QUALIFICATION, FIREARM RESTRICTION, FIREARM SHOTGUN SPECIAL PURPOSE FIREARMS SECOND/BACKUP FIREARM TACTICAL FIREARMS USE OF FORCE DRAFTED : DJR/September 9, 2011 /Filed: Firearm1.4B APPROVED: Pete Pitocchelli, Chief, DATE: November 05,2011 Tequesta, Florida 4