Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department SUBJECT SECTION CHAPTER CHIEF OF POLICE EFFECTIVE REVIEW DATE 1 8 4/16/2015 4/15/2016 FIREARMS GENERAL The purpose of this directive is to establish the policy and procedure for the issuance, care and maintenance of issued and non-issued police weapons. In the interest of public safety and police professionalism, the VCU Police Department herein sets high standards of performance of its personnel who use firearms. It is the policy of the VCU Police Department to ensure that officers use only departmentissued/authorized weapons. All officers shall be required to qualify with the issued firearm semi-annually. For secondary/off-duty weapons, officers shall receive training on the safe use of the weapon and semi-annually qualify with the weapon. Scores used by the Department for record must be fired on an approved firing range under the supervision of a certified firearms instructor. The VCU Police Department requires firearm qualification every six months. Officers shall carefully review the departmental directive 1-7 Use of Force. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in this written directive. Failure to comply will result in appropriate corrective action. Responsibility rests with the division commander to ensure that any violations of policy are investigated and appropriate training, counseling and/or disciplinary action is initiated. DEFINITIONS A. PRIMARY SERVICE WEAPON The Department-issued SIG Arms weapon that is carried and employed as the primary weapon when on-duty or when working off-duty in a police related capacity. B. SECONDARY WEAPON/OFF-DUTY A personally owned handgun that an officer carries offduty for personal protection. ISSUANCE OF FIREARMS A. The VCUPD Chief Firearms Instructor/Armorer shall be responsible for issuing Departmental firearms to authorized personnel. B. Department firearms, which become unserviceable or are no longer needed, shall be returned to the VCUPD Chief Firearms Instructor/Armorer. C. Department service firearms shall be the SIG Arms Model P229 DAK 9mm. VCUPD Written Directives Manual 1-8 Firearms 1
D. The Firearms Unit OIC shall maintain records of issuance of departmental firearms and associated items. The record shall include the following: 1. Officer s name and employee code number, 2. Make and model of firearm, 3. Serial number of firearm, and 4. Condition of firearm and history of any deficiencies. SECURITY OF FIREARMS A. Officers shall be responsible for the care, cleaning and security of Department firearms issued to them. Officers shall report any firearm malfunction to his/her immediate supervisor. Such supervisor shall then immediately notify a VCUPD Firearms Instructor/Armorer. B. Officers are NOT authorized to disassemble the issued weapon beyond field stripping for cleaning and may not alter the weapon in any way. C. Officers shall be instructed in the safe usage of all departmental-issued weapons locking devices and shall be responsible for securing their weapon(s) at all times. D. The Department Armorer is the only person permitted to make modifications to departmentissued firearms. MODIFICATION OF FIREARMS A. No substitutions or grips or any other part or accessory shall be permitted. B. Only normal field stripping/disassembly for cleaning shall be authorized. Officers shall not otherwise disassemble or touch with tools any VCUPD firearm. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF ISSUED WEAPONS A. A Departmental Armorer shall be responsible for: 1. Providing for the care and maintenance of issued department firearms and associated equipment, 2. Repairing all returned malfunctioning firearms, 3. Maintaining records of department firearms and associated items, and 4. Inspecting, approving, and certifying serviceability of all firearms and holsters to be authorized for on-duty and/or off-duty use. B. In the event that a department issued weapon is in need of repair, the weapon shall be referred to a Department Armorer. 1. A Department Armorer shall maintain a permanent record of all weapons needing repairs, the nature of the repair(s), weapons serial numbers and the name of the officer to whom VCUPD Written Directives Manual 1-8 Firearms 2
the weapon is assigned. This record is kept in the department s firearms database in the office of the Firearms Unit, where it may be inspected. 2. Department Armorers shall be responsible for the safe storage of all weapons needing repair and ensure all non-issued weapons are secured at all times. PRIMARY SERVICE WEAPON GUIDELINES A. While on duty, patrol personnel shall carry only the department issued SIG Sauer 9 mm P229 DAK and 147 grain jacketed hollow-point ammunition. B. All on-duty sworn personnel working in a police-related capacity must carry on their person the Department-issued primary service weapon. Should an exception need to be made where carrying of a weapon would jeopardize the officer s safety, the unarmed police enforcement assignment must have prior approval through the chain of command. C. Each officer is issued and shall carry three (3) magazines containing thirteen (13) rounds of ammunition. The weapon shall contain thirteen (13) rounds in the magazine with a fourteenth round in the chamber. The remaining two (2) magazines shall be carried anytime the officer is on duty. D. If it is determined that an officer needs to have a non-traditional weapon for any reason his/her immediate supervisor shall write a letter through channels to the Chief of Police explaining the details of the assignment and the weapon that is required. If the nontraditional weapon is approved by the Chief of Police, the weapon must be brought to the Department Armorer to verify that the weapon is safe and in good working condition. The employee will need to qualify and meet all normal department standards to carry the weapon. E. Department members shall qualify at least twice annually with the primary service weapon as specified by the Training Division. If any officer fails to meet the VCUPD minimum qualifying standards during the firing of the State s mandated qualification Day or Night Course for any authorized weapon, the following steps shall be taken. 1. If the officer fails to meet the VCUPD minimum qualifying standards after one standard course, the officer will be permitted to fire up to two (2) additional standard courses. 2. If the officer does not qualify within three (3) standard courses, the officer s police powers will be withdrawn, the officer s supervisor or commander will be notified, and the officer will be place on restricted duty. 3. The Training Division will schedule the officer to return to the range. At the next available time, the officer will be permitted to attempt two (2) additional standard courses. If the officer qualifies, he/she shall return to full-duty status. 4. If the officer fails to qualify, the Training Division shall issue a Needs Improvement notice which will include an improvement plan. The Training Division shall also develop and employ a remedial firearms training program. VCUPD Written Directives Manual 1-8 Firearms 3
5. Following the time period outlined in the improvement plan, the officer will return to the range. The officer will be permitted two (2) times to qualify on the standard course. If the officer qualifies, he/she shall return to full-duty status. If the officer fails to qualify, the officer will be subject to disciplinary action, a failing performance evaluation, and/or removal for inability to meet working conditions. F. When issued a new department firearm, officers shall re-qualify. Arrangements will be made with the Training and Education Division to qualify on the day of issue, if feasible, or on the first business day following issue. G. Department firearms shall be carried in department approved, certified holster, fully secured. When confronting potentially high-risk situations, officers may exercise discretion concerning when to unsnap the holster. H. Officers that have consumed alcoholic beverages to the extent that their physical or mental capacities are impaired shall not carry a firearm under any circumstances. I. All officers shall submit firearms and holsters to the chief firearms instructor for inspection, ballistics testing, qualification and approval prior to carrying them. FIREARMS INSPECTIONS A. A firearm instructor or armorer shall thoroughly inspect each firearm and holster during qualification on the range. B. A shift commander or supervisor shall inspect each officer s issued firearm, holster, magazines, ammunition and leather monthly, to ensure that they are maintained in a clean and serviceable condition. The inspection shall be documented on the PD-30A form. C. Ammunition shall be inspected to ensure that it is of departmental issue, of correct quantity, and in serviceable condition. SHOTGUNS A. The Patrol Division will be issued four (4) Remington 870 12 gauge, pump action shotguns, with slings and ammunition. Personal shotguns are not authorized. B. Ammunition will consist of 12 gauge rifled slugs. When not deployed, the shotgun will have four (4) rifled slugs within the weapon s tube, and will be placed in the case with the weapon in an open breach position. C. Officers shall qualify with the shotgun at least once within every calendar year. If an officer fails to meet the minimum qualifying standards during the firing of the State-mandated qualification course, the officer will not be able to use the shotgun. The officer will be given additional training as soon as possible in order to assist him/her in meeting State-mandated requirements. The Training and Education Division will maintain a record of those officers who are qualified to use the shotgun. D. The shotguns will be assigned as follows: (1) in the commander s vehicle, (1) in the sergeant s vehicle, (1) in the mobile east vehicle, and (1) in the mobile west vehicle. When not deployed, the shotguns will be inside the assigned case and located within a secured VCUPD Written Directives Manual 1-8 Firearms 4
trunk of the assigned vehicle. When in its carrying case, the shotgun will not have a round chambered. Rounds may be loaded in the magazine. E. Shotguns will be accounted for at the start of each shift and inspected monthly by supervision for serviceability. Supervisors shall document this inspection on the VCUPD-52 Vehicle Inspection Sheet. An additional inspection will occur at the range during qualification. When not in active use, all shotguns shall be maintained in a secure area. PATROL RIFLES A. The VCU Police Department has selected the Colt M-4 as the department s authorized patrol rifle. The official duty ammunition is 223 Rem, 55 grain. Practice ammunition is 5.56mm, M193 ball, 55 grain metal case boat-tail bullet. B. Department members will be required to qualify twice annually with the patrol rifle. If the officer fails to meet the minimum qualification standards during the department- mandated qualification course, the officer will not be authorized to check out, carry or use the patrol rifle. The officer will be given additional training in order to assist the officer in meeting department-mandated requirements. C. The Training and Education Division will maintain a record of the officers that are qualified to use the patrol rifle and will be responsible for notifying officers of department-mandated qualifications. D. Patrol rifles shall not be deployed during routine patrol response. Good judgment and discretion shall be employed when deploying the patrol rifle. Deployment guidelines for the patrol rifle, are limited to the following situations: 1. Active shooter, 2. Suspect heavily armed, 3. Armed suspect wearing body armor, or 4. When directed by a supervisor. NOTE: Immediate notification through the officer s chain of command is required any time a patrol rifle is deployed. E. Supervisors shall issue patrol rifles and equipment to a qualified officer prior to the officer beginning his/her tour of duty. The supervisor and the officer will sign out the rifle and equipment identifying which rifle has been issued. The officer shall ensure the following equipment is issued: 1. One (1) patrol rifle with mounted flashlight, 2. Two (2) thirty round magazines loaded with 56 rounds of department-issued ammunition, 3. Magazine holder and sling, and 4. Rifle carrying case. VCUPD Written Directives Manual 1-8 Firearms 5
F. In the event that a patrol rifle is in need of repair, the weapon will be taken out of service and referred to the a department armorer. The Firearms Unit shall maintain a permanent record of all rifles needing repair and the nature of the repairs. G. Officers shall perform a visual inspection of the weapon and shall ensure all equipment is accounted for upon checking out the rifle and equipment with a supervisor and prior to checking in the rifle with a supervisor before EOT. In addition, the Firearms Unit shall inspect each patrol rifle and ammunition monthly. The inspection shall be documented using the VCUPD-65 Patrol Rifle Inspection Sheet. The original report shall be maintained by the supervisor and a copy of the report shall be forwarded to the Training and Education Unit. H. Officers shall not disassemble the patrol rifle beyond field stripping for cleaning. No unauthorized accessories will be added to the patrol rifle. I. The patrol rifle shall be carried in the Cruiser Ready Condition in the trunk of the officer s patrol unit. The Cruiser Ready Condition is: 1. Safety on, 2. Chamber empty, 3. Bolt closed, and 4. Two loaded magazines, 28 rounds each, in the rifle case. NOTE: No adjustments to the optics/sighting systems shall be made. J. When not in use, patrol rifles will be maintained in a secure location. All rifles will be safely unloaded prior to storage. SECONDARY/OFF-DUTY FIREARMS GUIDELINES A. If an officer wishes to carry a secondary weapon, or a weapon other than the primary service weapon for off-duty use, regulations that apply to duty firearms shall be the same as for offduty firearms. B. On-duty secondary weapons are strictly prohibited. C. Officers wishing to carry off-duty secondary weapons shall complete the VCUPD-62 Registration of Personal Firearms form. D. He/she must take the completed VCUPD-62 Registration of Personal Firearms form, the personal firearm, and the holster to the Firearms Unit to be inspected as well as for qualification by the a department Armorer. E. The holster must carry the weapon securely, be concealed from public view and be fitted with a durable retention system. F. The officer is responsible for ensuring that re-qualification and re-inspection of the secondary/off-duty weapon is conducted at least twice annually. The officer shall complete a VCUPD-62 Registration of Personal Firearms form prior to each qualification. If the officer VCUPD Written Directives Manual 1-8 Firearms 6
fails to renew his or her certification when it expires, he or she will not be authorized to carry the secondary/ off-duty weapon until he/she has qualified. G. The officer will be provided with individual instruction and/or practice in order to identify and correct the deficient behavior using the same procedures as outlined for the use of the primary service weapon, if he or she fails to qualify on the certification course. H. Officers may not carry firearms when socially inappropriate (when consuming alcoholic beverages, etc.). I. Off-duty firearms shall be carried safely and concealed from public view. J. The following may be approved as secondary/off-duty weapons: 1. Semi-automatic pistols with a de-cocking mechanism, safe action (striker fired) or limited to double action firing capabilities only. The approved calibers for the semi-auto weapon are.380,.357sig, 9mm,.40 and.45 ACP or GAP calibers. 2. Revolvers with 5 or 6 round capacity. The approved calibers for the revolvers are.38 and.357 magnum. 3. Speer Gold Dot ammunition is recommended; however, equivalent hollow point metal jacketed ammunition is authorized for use: 1..380 caliber 90 grain, 2. 38 special + P Hollow Point 135 grain, 3. 9mm Hollow Point 124 grain, 4..357 Sig or.357 Magnum Hollow Point 125 grain, 5..40 S&W Hollow Point 155 grain, or 6..45 ACP or GAP Hollow Point 185 grain. 4. The officer must qualify wearing his/her normal on-duty attire and carrying the weapon in the same manner as he/she does while working. Holsters for the secondary weapon must be pre-approved by the Firearms Unit. The holster must carry the weapon securely, be concealed from public view and be fitted with a durable retention device. HOLSTERS, GRIPS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT A. Any non-issued holsters, magazine pouches, rubberized slip-on grips, ammunition carriers and other weapon parts or accessories or non-traditional weapon carrying devices (fanny packs, etc.) may only be used if approved by the Training and Education Division. B. Officers are issued two (2) spare magazines and while in uniform shall carry them at all times. All spare magazines will always be fully loaded. Under no circumstances will officers use any magazines other than SIG Arms magazines. Magazines shall be carried in their pouches with VCUPD Written Directives Manual 1-8 Firearms 7
the butt plate facing upward or sideways. At all times magazine pouches shall be worn on the front of the duty belt. C. Unless the assignment requires the carrying of a firearm in a non-traditional manner, all firearms must be carried in an approved holster. The carrying of a firearm in a non-traditional manner requires prior supervisory approval. D. Non-issued holsters must be of durable quality and should be constructed to be securely attached to the body and have a safety snap or other acceptable provision, whereby the weapon is held securely in the holster. E. Approved shoulder holsters will be limited to the type where the handgun carriage causes the barrel of the gun to point down or back and the trigger guard is covered so that the finger is prevented from resting on the trigger while the weapon is being drawn or holstered. Plainclothes officers who carry their primary service weapon on-duty in a shoulder holster must utilize the shoulder holster when qualifying with their primary service weapon. LIGHT DUTY OFFICERS/OFFICERS ON EXTENDED LEAVE Any officer on light-duty shall not carry a firearm and will be excused from qualification. Officers on light duty or extended leave for six months or longer, must make arrangements with the VCUPD Chief Firearms Instructor/Armorer to qualify with their firearm before returning to regular duty. FIREARMS RECORDS A. The Firearms Unit shall submit all firearms scores to the Education and Training Division immediately after each qualification period. The Training and Education Division shall ensure that all officers are qualified at all times. B. Officers shall submit their VCUPD-62 Registration of Personal Weapons forms to the Training and Education Division upon qualification. C. The Training and Education Division shall maintain all firearms records. FIREARMS DISCHARGE PRODECURES A. If an on-duty officer discharges his/her firearm or any time an officer is assaulted with a firearm, the officer shall immediately notify his/her supervisor. B. The involved officer shall prepare an administrative report detailing the incident. If force is used, procedures can be found in 1-7 Use of Force. C. The officer s immediate supervisor shall review and sign the report, whether or not the officer is injured and submit it through the chain to the Chief. The supervisor shall also take photograph of the officer s and suspect s physical condition, including clothing and any cuts and bruises, if applicable. D. If an officer discharges his/her weapon while off-duty, he/she shall immediately contact his/her supervisor. VCUPD Written Directives Manual 1-8 Firearms 8
FORMS AND DOCUMENTATION A. VCUPD-30B Uniform, Equipment, Service Weapon & Ammunition Condition Inspection Report B. VCUPD-52 Vehicle Inspection Sheet C. VCUPD-63 Registration of Personal Weapon D. Administrative IBR E. VCUPD-64 Firearms Qualification Score Sheets F. VCUPD-65 Patrol Rifle Inspection Sheet VCUPD Written Directives Manual 1-8 Firearms 9