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4.27 FIREARM PROCEDURES 4.274.27.1 PURPOSE
A. It is the purpose of this policy to provide officers with guidelines associated with the use, maintenance, and safety of agency-authorized firearms and the qualification requirements related to them.
B. Guidelines covering the discharge of firearms are included in General Order 4.6 (Use of Force) \\alpha1_lan\cog\Police\Dept Procedures\04 CRITICAL TASK G.O. Chap 4\4.06 Use of Force.doc
4.27.2 POLICY
A. Unless otherwise prohibited, all on-duty police officers shall be armed with a fully loaded Department approved firearm. The firearm carried while on-duty shall conform to the specifications and approval procedures herein described, unless otherwise approved by the Chief of Police. All qualifications, and any Department sponsored firearms training as described within this section, shall be administered by certified firearms instructors. This policy shall apply to all full-time Police Officers and Reserve Police Officers.
B. Department members, who are NOT officially authorized to carry a firearm in furtherance of their duty, shall NOT carry a firearm on, or in, City property, per Gresham Administrative Rule, Article 3.30 (http://citynet/departments/ocm/gars/gars28.htm). Violator’s will be subject to disciplinary action.
C. In accordance with State and Federal statutes, persons with a conviction for Domestic Violence are prohibited from carrying or possessing any firearm. To ensure compliance, the office of the Chief of Police will perform a criminal records check on all officers, annually.
B Primary service handgun: The firearm authorized and issued by the Gresham Police Department to be carried as part of the service uniform and related equipment for uniformed personnel or the authorized firearm to be carried by plainclothes officers.
C. Backup handgun: Any authorized handgun other than the primary service handgun that is carried in addition to the primary service handgun in an authorized concealed manner.
D. Firearms qualification: Periodic testing required of officers to determine their competency and proficiency to carry authorized firearms.
4.27.4 SpecificationS of Firearms
1. Officers when on-duty shall carry only authorized firearms.
2. Only ammunition that has been approved by the Gresham Police Department shall be used in authorized firearms.
3. Only sworn officers who have successfully passed firearms qualification, proficiency standards, and demonstrate the appropriate knowledge of the Department Use-of-Force policy shall be authorized to carry a firearm.
4. The primary service handgun shall be carried in accordance with uniform and related requirements and as otherwise specified by this policy.
5. Officers shall be issued fresh duty ammunition in the specified quantity for all authorized firearms during the officer’s first scheduled qualification each year. When needed in accordance with established policy, the armorer shall dispense replacements for defective or depleted ammunition.
6. Officers on special assignment and other officers with a genuine need may request written authorization from the Firearms Sergeant to carry alternate service firearms, backup firearms, or alternate ammunition on an ongoing or periodic basis.B. Primary Service Handguns
1. The standard Department issued duty firearm is the .40 caliber Glock, Model 22, or Model 23. Exceptions may be made for special circumstances as authorized by the Chief of Police. Each officer will be issued one primary duty handgun.
a. In accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Gresham Police Officers’ Association (GPOA) and the City of Gresham, Officers hired prior to July 1, 1997 may continue to carry a personal (privately owned) firearm on-duty if they desire. Officers wishing to do so must have complied with the following:
1) Submit a memorandum to the Chief of Police stating their intent to do so.
2) The officer must agree to be solely responsible for maintenance and repair of the weapon.
3) If at any point in the future, the officer wishes to carry a different firearm, they shall then be required to carry a Department issued firearm.
a. Officers shall qualify with their primary service handgun each time they attend and attempt the Department qualification course with a firearm carried as their primary firearm.
b. All officers are required to qualify with their primary duty firearm and attend any mandated proficiency training.
c. Officers who fail to meet the minimum score will be given one additional opportunity to qualify during that testing period.
d. Officers who fail a second time during the testing period will be required to schedule themselves to attend the next remedial firearms training session as directed by the Firearms Sergeant.
e. All weapons will be inspected and maintained by an armorer before qualification. Any weapon deemed unserviceable will be taken out of service and the officer will be issued a replacement weapon. If the weapon can be repaired, a qualified armorer will repair the weapon and return it to the officer.
C. Backup Handguns
D. Off-Duty Handguns
1. An off-duty handgun is a firearm that an officer may carry while under the scope of ORS 166.260 http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/166.html. This in no way dictates the type of personal weapon officers may own or utilize for recreational activities.
2. Officers may, but are not be required to, carry an authorized firearm while off duty. But officers shall be required to carry an authorized firearm when in uniform or when operating a marked patrol vehicle whether on or off duty.
3. Backup and off-duty firearms shall be carried concealed when the officer is in plain clothes or in uniform unless:
a. The officer is in the workplace and the officer’s badge is prominently displayed next to the firearm
b. The officer is engaged in law enforcement actions that may reasonably require quick access to the firearm, and the officer’s badge is prominently displayed near the weapon; or
c. The officer is engaged in activities where it would be permissible for a citizen to carry an exposed firearm, such as in hunting or target practice.
4. When armed, whether on or off duty, officers shall carry their badge and agency identification.
E. Special Purpose Firearms
4.27.5 SPECIFICIATION FOR HOLSTERS
A. Uniform Duty Holsters
1. Uniformed officers will be required to carry their primary duty firearm in one of the following types of holsters, which will be provided by the Department.
a. Bianchi
b. Safari land
2. Officers may purchase, at their own expense, and use a level II or level III safety holster from one the of the following manufacturers:
a. Bianchi
b. Safari land
c. Uncle Mikes
B. Non-Uniformed Duty Holster
1. Non-uniformed officers will carry their duty firearm in a thumb break type holster or a holster/pack made by one of the following:
a. Bianchi
b. Safari land
c. Uncle Mikes
d. COPPS
e. Galco
2. Any other type of holster/pack must be pre-approved by the Firearms Sergeant, or their designate, prior to use.
C. Backup Holster
1. Officers will carry their secondary firearm in one of the following styles of holsters:
a. Ankle holster
b. Vest holster
1. Off-duty Officers are expected to carry their firearm in a holster that provides concealment and security.
2. Officers who choose not to utilize a holster will be responsible for ensuring their firearms are carried in a safe and secure manner.
4.27.6 SPECIFICATIONS FOR DUTY AMMUNITION
4.27.7 CARRYING, Loading, and CONTROL of Duty Handguns
A. Unless otherwise approved by the Chief of Police, all officers whose duties require them to be armed, will be armed or have immediately available, an approved firearm during their duty hours.
B. Carrying of Firearms
a. The Red Clearing Barrel located at the North end of the Police Building.
b. The Department Armory.
c. Areas designated by the Range Master when at training.
a. Unloading of firearms.
b. Loading of firearms.
c. Checking firearms for loaded condition prior to going on shift.
4.27.8 FIREARMS INSPECTIONS
A. When requested by a supervisor, armorer, or a firearms instructor, officers will make available any primary or backup handgun for an inspection anytime without notice. Prior to inspection, the firearm will be unloaded in the designated loading/unloading area. Any weapon found defective in operation, safety, or cleanliness will not pass inspection. Such defect will immediately be reported to the officer’s immediate supervisor. The officer will be required to clean the weapon and present it for inspection prior to reporting for or continuing duty.
B. Officers shall see that their authorized firearm(s) are maintained in good working order. They are responsible for the proper care and cleaning of their firearm(s) to ensure they are operational at all times.
4.27.9 MANDATORY QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING WITH FIREARMS
A. Range qualifications will be conducted semi-annually unless excused by the Chief of Police. An officer must achieve a passing qualification score at each training session. A Lead Instructor will designate all qualification, training, and proficiency courses. Training and qualifications shall be conducted by Department Certified Instructors.
B. Qualification
C. Non-Qualification (Primary Service Weapon Only)
1. If an officer fails a cold qualification during a testing period and they qualify on the second attempt, they must complete a cold qualification within 30 days.
2. If an officer fails two cold qualifications, they will be automatically assigned to the soonest available remedial training and relieved from duty where a weapon is required to be carried.
3. Officers assigned to remedial training for a cold qualification failure will have two more attempts at cold qualifications before they will be referred to the Office of the Chief of Police for an Internal Affairs Investigation. Officers will have eight hours of individual training with a firearms instructor before each qualification. This is only for officers who have attended and successfully completed the Oregon Police Academy or equivalent training.
4.27.10 FIREARMS PROFICIENCY
A. All officers required to carry a firearm must maintain a qualifying score for that firearm. Minimum proficiency is a condition of employment for officers who must carry a firearm in the performance of their duties. Scores resulting from each officer’s training and qualification performances will be recorded and placed in the individual’s training files.
B. Proficiency
1. Firearms proficiency consists of firearms qualification, proper manipulation and handling of firearms, and firearms safety.
2. Minimum qualifications to carry a firearm either on or off-duty shall be established by the Firearms Staff and will be based on the nature of the courses. Certification of qualification shall be made in writing by the Lead Instructor and shall become a part of the officer’s training file.
3. Officers must demonstrate to an armorer or Lead Instructor that they are proficient at manipulating the mechanical functions of each of the duty firearms they carry.
4. Officers must meet all proficiency requirements and qualification standards for each of the authorized firearms they are issued or required to use.
5. All officers shall be required to qualify using additional proficiency standards established by the department. These include, but are not limited to proficiency testing at night and in reduced light situations, combat simulation, and using both strong and weak hands.
C. Failure to Meet Proficiency Requirements
1. Any officer failing to achieve the minimum qualification, firearms proficiency, or in violation of the firearms safety rules, will be immediately relieved from those duties that require the carrying of firearms until they are able to attain a minimum qualifying score.
2. The Lead Instructor will notify the Firearms Sergeant of any officer failing to achieve the minimum qualifying score.
3. Any officer unable to achieve the minimum required qualifying score will be assigned remedial training.
4. The officer will be required to attend the next available qualification session to retest.
5. Retesting will be arranged through the Firearms Sergeant and the Lead Instructors.
4.27.11 FIREARMS SAFETY RULES
A. The “Cardinal Safety Rules” will be adhered to at all time when officers are handling weapons on or off-duty. Although these rules are directed toward safe firearms training, they also apply anytime a weapon is removed from the holster. Although safety rules may vary from range to range the following Range Safety Rules will be adhered to during all training requiring the use of firearms, unless they directly contradict the safety rules of the range being used. The Lead Instructor will be responsible for notifying all officers of the particular range safety rules during mandatory firearms training.
B. Cardinal Safety Rules
C. Range Safety Rules
1. A certified police firearms instructor must properly and adequately supervise all firearms training. The firearms instructor will have authority over all action at the range.
2. Strictest discipline must be maintained. Carelessness cannot and will not be tolerated during firearms training.
3. While at the range, firearms will be unloaded or loaded only in an area and at a time designated by a firearms instructor. KEEP IT HOLSTERED.
4. Immediately on picking up a firearm, open the cylinder or action, remove magazine, and check to see that it is unloaded…check it again.
4.27.12 Firearms Safety Violations
A. As in the case of any other safety violation, violations of firearms safety will be reported to an officer’s immediate supervisor.
B. Range Safety Violation: Any Safety Violation that occurs during firearms training.
C. General Safety Violation: Any safety violation involving a firearm during the normal course of duty.
1. Any individual who observes a safety violation will notify their supervisor.
2. The supervisor will investigate the incident and attempt to correct the problem.
3. If the supervisor is unable to correct the problem then the supervisor will forward a written summary and recommendation of the incident to the Section/Division Commander.
Carla C. Piluso
Chief of Police
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