4.30.1 PURPOSE The purpose of this General Order is to provide a single source of reference for all officers Department members as to training, safe carrying and authorization for use of department authorized patrol rifles. 4.30.2 POLICY Only officers who are trained and qualified in the use of the Gresham Police Department’s patrol rifle are authorized to carry and deploy this weapon. This policy is intended to be consistent with, and a component of, the Department policy on the Use of Deadly Force.
4.30.3 DEFINITIONS A. Patrol Rifle- The patrol rifle will be a .223 caliber, magazine fed, gas operated, semi-automatic, carbine, manufactured by COLT. The patrol rifle may also be equipped with a “red dot” ACOG or Aimpoint Reflex sight, or the factory installed iron sights, a “redi-mag,” or a tactical light.
MODIFICATIONS
No modifications may be made to department issued patrol rifles without the written consent of the Firearms Sergeant.
4.30.5 PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND ASSIGNMENT A. Participation in the patrol rifle program is a voluntary assignment unless a sergeant or above deems an immediate operational need for that resource.
B. Officers must have successfully completed 2 years of experience after graduation from the Basic Police Academy to be eligible for assignment to the patrol rifle program. Basic Academy’s outside Oregon is acceptable.
C. The selection process is as follows:
1. When openings exist or are anticipated, there will be an announcement sent over the “Police Sworn Officers” email distribution list for interested officers to submit their names to the Firearms Sergeant. 2. The Firearms Sergeant, Lead Instructors, and Patrol Rifle Instructors will make the selection from the list of officers submitting their names. Selections will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: Current assignment, shift assignment, prior firearms performance, physical ability. 3. This list of names will then be submitted to the Firearms Program Coordinator for approval. 4. Officers selected will be notified by the Firearms Sergeant and receive a training order from the Training Division regarding the Basic Patrol Rifle Training. 5. Complete the Training Course and requirements. 4.30.6 GENERAL RIFLE HANDLING A. The rifle will be “safe” at all times unless the officer is on target and has decided to shoot.
B. The rifle will not have a round loaded in the chamber when in a police vehicle, and will be locked in its holder or stowed in its carrying case in the trunk when not in use.
C. A round will only be loaded into the chamber of the weapon outside the police vehicle in anticipation of the weapon’s imminent use “Tactical Condition.”
D. Except when anticipating the imminent use of the rifle, officers will inspect the weapon to ensure that the safety is on and there is no round loaded in the chamber when: 1. Checking a rifle out from an authorized police weapons storage facility or locker.
2. Taking the rifle out of its locked holder or Department approved carrying case. 3. Receiving a rifle from another person. E. If the rifle is found to have a round in the chamber, the employee will move to a safe location, point the muzzle in a safe directionand unload the weapon.
a. The red clearing barrel located at the north end of the police department. b. The Department Armory. c. Areas designated by the Lead Instructor when at training.
a. Unloading of firearms. b. Loading of firearms. c. Checking firearms for loaded condition prior to going on shift. F. Patrol rifles returned to the police facility will be unloaded, bolt locked to the rear, magazines removed, pointed in an upward direction with the muzzle held above the head of the tallest person present. Or if the patrol rifle is slung, then it will be unloaded, bolt locked to the rear, magazines removed and pointed in a downward direction.
G. The rifle will be placed in “Storage Condition” before it is turned in or stored. 4.30.7 RIFLE DEPLOYMENT A. Recommended Use. Below are guidelines for deploying with a rifle. The officer will be responsible for justifying their decision to deploy with a rifle in any given set of circumstances. This does not replace justifications pursuant to General Order 4.6 (Use of Force). 1. Where greater accuracy is desired which cannot be achieved with a handgun or shotgun. 2. Incidents in which a suspect or suspects are heavily armed. 3. Incidents in which a suspect or suspects are wearing body armor. 4. Incidents where there is lack of appropriate cover within acceptable ranges near the threat for the use of a handgun or shotgun, indicating the need for greater accuracy. 5. To provide containment at a safer distance while awaiting arrival of the S.W.A.T. Team. B. Rifle Use:
1. Whenever use of the rifle is anticipated, officers will ensure that they have a clear field of fire. As with any other firearm, officers must be especially mindful of the potential danger to innocent bystanders, occupants of nearby buildings, and traffic if the weapon is used in congested areas. 4.30.8 RIFLE SECURITY A. Vehicles:
1. Rifles will be removed from any vehicle prior to being taken out of service. 2. Vehicles with electronic locks shall not be left unattended without first removing the ignition key. 3. Vehicles with manual locks shall not be left unattended without first removing the rifle lock key. B. Department
1. Officers will secure their rifle in the designated secured rifle storage space in the police facility. Rifles in lockers will be secured in “storage condition”. Rifles in vehicles will be “patrol car ready”. C. Training
1. Officers will take their rifles to firearms training. a. An officer must receive approval from the Firearms Coordinator before attending any rifle training outside of Department training.
QUALIFICATIONS
A. Qualification 1. The Patrol Rifle Lead Instructor shall establish the qualification standards and proficiency-training curriculum. Qualification standards are minimum scores established by the Department. Currently officers must accumulate at least 90 points and have all rounds in the scored area of the target (3-5 point range). 2. Officers shall qualify with their Department-issued patrol rifle at least once annually. Officers must attend at least 8-hours of in-service training each year to remain qualified. 3. Those who fail to meet the minimum score will be given one additional opportunity to qualify during that session.
B. Failure to Qualify 1. Officers failing to qualify with their patrol rifle are responsible for attending remedial training, if a range is available for the department to utilize. This training will be coordinated by the Patrol Rifle Lead Instructor.
a. Officers are not authorized to carry the patrol rifle for duty use until successful completion of the rifle qualification and proficiency is demonstrated.
3. Generally, qualifications are held semi-annually. If an officer fails to qualify during their testing period twice, they are removed from the rifle program. However, exceptions may be made if the officer is able to attend remedial training as dictated by the Patrol Rifle Lead Instructor and passes a cold qualification upon completion before the end of the training cycle.
4.30.10 FIREARMS INSPECTIONS A. When requested by a supervisor, Armorer, or firearms instructor, officers will present a patrol rifle as follows for an inspection. 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. The officer must inspect the patrol rifle to ensure that it is clean, loaded, and in proper working order. C. An inspection of the patrol rifle will be conducted prior to the officer taking the weapon on shift by the following guidelines: 1. The patrol rifle will be inspected only at a designated loading/unloading area. 2. The patrol rifle will be checked to ensure that the weapon is clear, and there is no round in the chamber, prior to inspecting or conducting a functions check. 3. The patrol rifle will be checked for cleanliness and functioning. 4. After checking the patrol rifle, the bolt will be released, locking it into the forward position; then both magazines may be locked into the magazine wells.
5. If there is a functional/mechanical problem with the patrol rifle it will be red tagged and placed into the weapons locker with a written explanation of the problem. The information will then be forwarded to a Department Armorer who will ensure that the patrol rifle is repaired prior to the weapon being returned to service.