Department Rules and Regulations / Policies and Procedures

OPERATIONS

FIREARMS

VOL. IV, CH. 2

DEPARTMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS / POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

DENVILLETOWNSHIP / EFFECTIVE
DATE / REVISION DATE / PAGE # / SECTION / APPROVED / VOLUME
POLICE DEPARTMENT / 6/3/98 / 9/98 / 24,28,29,30 / Carbine /

IV

VOLUME TITLE: OPERATIONS / # PAGES / 5/24/99 / 5,6 / II,C,1ab,5 / CHAPTER
35 / 11/16/00 / 7-9 / D / 2

PROSECUTOR DIRECTIVE

/ REFERENCE / 4.7.04 / ALL / ALL / Distribution

ALL

V1C4 / V4C2 / 7.26.2005 / 1,2,4,9 / IA1,3,IIB1,8c,d,e(1),IIIA5,IV
SUBJECT: FIREARMS & QUALIFICATIONS / 4.19.06 / 2,4,5,7 / IIB3,9e,C4,D3 / EVALUATION
DATE
3.20.09
3.20.08 / 1, 9-11,Apx Q / I, IV, Apx Q
ISSUING AUTHORITY:

CHIEF CHRISTOPHER WAGNER

/

Special Instructions

DEPARTMENT REVISIONS = D /

P-98-08

PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE REVISIONS = P
REFERENCE

POLICY:

The authorization to carry a firearm and related equipment is an awesome responsibility. Today, more than ever before in law enforcement history, police officers must be thoroughly qualified and certified to carry firearms and other related equipment. Therefore, this policy establishes procedures for the carrying of duty and non-duty weapons, authorized ammunition, holsters, auxiliary weapons, firearms qualifications, and safety rules. The care and cleaning of firearms will be outlined within this policy. The need to maintain and care for a firearm is critical.

The Firearms - Safety Rules are found in APPENDIX P.

PROCEDURE:

I.FIREARMS and AMMUNITION

1. Department Authorized Firearm.

1.3.9a1.While on duty, supervisors and police officers are to carry the department authorized firearm, H&K USP Compact .40cal.

2.No member of the department is authorized to carry a department issued firearm while working for a private security business of any kind. The Chief or Police or designee shall approve all special requests for police protection.

3.No member of the department shall carry any firearm into an Atlantic City Casino. State law prohibits anyone to carry firearms into a casino.

4.No member of the Department shall carry any Department weapon outside of the State of New Jersey without consent of the Chief of Police or designee.

1.3.9bB.Ammunition

1. Departmental issued ammunition, Winchester Ranger .40Cal. 180 GR SXT,will be the only authorized round to be carried in department authorized weapons.

1. Holsters

1.Only departmental department authorized holsters will be worn on duty.

II.MAINTENANCE, STORAGE, LOADING AND UNLOADING OF DEPARTMENT WEAPONS

A.Each officer is responsible to keep his/her duty weapon cleaned and functional.

B.The following steps will be followed when an officer inspects or cleans the firearm:

1.Before removing the firearm from the holster, engage the de-cocking lever upward to the “Safe” position.

2.Using the magazine release, disconnect and remove the loaded magazine from the pistol.

3.Position the muzzle of the weapon just inside the clearing chamber (located in the booking room).

a.Pull back on the slide, ejecting the round.

b. Do not attempt to catch the round, simply let it fall to the ground.

c.With your thumb, engage the slide release lever upward to lock the slide open.

4.Inspect the ejection port area and the barrel chamber to insure there are no obstructions or a round in the barrel, pull and release the slide letting it return to its normal position.

5.Once you are sure the weapon is safe and the bore/barrel is unobstructed, take the weapon to the table and prepare to field strip it for cleaning/lubrication.

6.To Disassemble (Field Strip):

a.Draw the SLIDE to the rear far enough to insure that the BARREL chamber is not loaded.

b.While pressing to the left on the SLIDE STOP PIN (right side of FRAME), draw the SLIDE to the rear until the SLIDE STOP cut in the lower left side of the SLIDE is aligned with the forward end of the SLIDE STOP. Draw the SLIDE STOP from the FRAME.

c.Move the SLIDE forward separating it from the FRAME.

d.With the SLIDE upside down and the rear end pointing in a safe direction, firmly grasp and compress the RECOIL SPRING and lift out the RECOIL SPRING GUIDE ASSEMBLY (if accidentally disengaged, can exert sufficient force to cause injury).

e.Remove BARREL by lifting rear end up and out of the SLIDE.

f.No further disassembly is recommended, as the PISTOL may be properly cleaned and lubricated when field stripped as described above.

7.Care and Cleaning

a.Pistols should be field stripped and cleaned at reasonably frequent intervals to insure proper functioning.

b.Use any good commercial solvent, and after cleaning, lubricate sparingly with a light weight gun oil. Outside surfaces may be protected from corrosion by coating lightly with a rust inhibiting oil found in the cleaning kit.

c.Be careful not to drop magazines, as they may be sufficiently deformed to cause failure to feed properly.

d.Lubrication should be made on frame rails and slide rails sparingly.

e.The barrel's bore should be cleaned and oiled lightly with a bore patch.

f.If the weapon has been recently fired at the range or to destroy an injured animal, the weapon will be fully cleaned as soon as practicable.

g.All weapons will be inspected by the Range Officer before qualifying. The inspection results will be recorded by the range officer. (Appendix M)

h.If the weapon is in need of repairs, the department Firearms Instructors shall be notified immediately. (Appendix K)

8.To Reassemble (After Field Stripping)

a.Replace BARREL in slide.

b.Replace RECOIL SPRING and RECOIL SPRING GUIDE ASSEMBLY with rear of SLIDE pointing in a safe direction, making sure the RECOIL SPRING GUIDE BUSHING is securely engaged in the small radial undercut in the BARREL lug and properly centered. Failure to properly center it will result in the RECOIL SPRING GUIDE protruding from the SLIDE after assembly.

c.Replace SLIDE on FRAME. When the SLIDE STOP cut on the SLIDE is aligned with the SLIDE stop hole in the FRAME, insert SLIDE STOP and allow SLIDE to return to battery position.

d.Manual Safety Lever

(1)"SAFE" position. The lever is fully in the up position; the “S” will be even on the white indexing line.

(2)"FIRE" position. The lever is fully in the “Neutral” position; the red“F” will be even with the white indexing line.

e.To Load

(1)Place manual safety in the "SAFE" position.

a.Insert magazine in butt until engaged with magazine catch. Simply press magazine into place, do not drive in forcibly, as this practice may in time cause distortion of magazine lips and result in a malfunctions.

b.Place the muzzle of the weapon just inside the clearing chamber.

c.Draw the slide all of the way to the rear and release and de-cock.

(2)With a live round now chambered, holster your weapon.

(3)Press magazine release button while holstered, remove and insert one (1) live round in your magazine and reinsert the magazine into your weapon. You are now fully loaded.

9.Storage of Firearms

a.The weapon shall be stored, unloaded, in a secure location.

b.The officer may secure the weapon with a trigger lock. The weapon shall be unloaded, magazine removed from the firearm.

C.SHOTGUNS

1.Shotguns not utilized during the shift shall be secured in the department Weapon Closet.

1. Shotguns will be stored with the safety on, the magazine empty and the slide open.

b.The Weapon Closet shall be locked at all times, except when officers are returning or removing a shotgun

2.No member of the department may handle or use a shotgun unless a Range Officer has qualified him/her.

3.Only Department authorized ammunition, Winchester 12 GA .00 Buck, will be carried in a shotgun.

a.Officers certified through the State Fish & Game Department will be authorized to utilize slugs for bear control.

4.Shotguns will be secured in the vertical shotgun racks within the patrol vehicles driver’s compartment when such vehicle is equipped with the rack. Otherwise shotguns will be kept in the police car trunk vault, with safety on, magazine fully loaded and empty chamber.

5.Shotgun removal from the police vehicle and brought into police headquarters:

a.If there are any problems with either the shotgun or ammunition the department Firearms Instructor will be notified, who will determine the problem and obtain authorization from the Chief to have the weapon repaired.

A tag shall be affixed to the gun by the officer that discovers a defect or malfunction. The gun tag shall explain what the defect or malfunction is and the signature of the officer who discovered the problem. Shotguns that are tagged shall not be removed from the Weapon Locker. It shall be the responsibility of the Supervising Firearms Officer to remove a shotgun from the Weapon Locker for the purpose of having the shotgun repaired.

b.The shotguns will be maintained by the supervising Firearms Instructor or Range Staff, he shall keep a record of each gun, indicating repairs and maintenance. (APPENDIX K)

6.Shotgun Unloading Instructions:

a.Check to make sure that the safety is in the ON position.

b. Keep your finger away from the trigger and outside the trigger guard, the weapon is to be pointed in a upward position.

c.Press the magazine release button and remove all the shells from the magazine. Put the shells in your pocket.

d.After the magazine is empty, release the slide, check the port to ensure the chamber is open and the weapon is unloaded. Visually inspect the port and the magazine.

1. Cleaning Instructions:

a.Before the shotgun is cleaned, a second inspection of the port and magazine is to be conducted. This is to ensure that the weapon is, in fact, unloaded. Never assume that a weapon is unloaded until you physically check it yourself.

1. The inside and outside of the barrel is to be cleaned with a patch that has been dipped into Nitro Solvent. The excess solvent is to be wiped off with a dry patch.

1. The inside of the port is to be cleaned with a patch and Nitro Solvent. The excess solvent is to be wiped off.

1. The slide guide is to be lightly oiled along with the exterior and interior of the barrel.

8.Before an officer places a shotgun into a police vehicle, the weapon shall be clean. If a shotgun is not clean, the officer shall clean the shotgun as outlined in department policy.

9.Loading Instructions for Placement into the Police Vehicle:

a.Put the safety in the ON position.

b.Lock the slide forward, with no live rounds in the chamber.

c.Fully load the magazine.

d.Secure the shotgun in the vertical rack or trunk vault of the police car.

e.When a police car must be left for repairs, the shotgun is to be removed and secured in the weapon closet.

D.Patrol Rifle

1. Patrol rifles not being carried in a police vehicle shall be secured in the department weapon closet.

a.Uncased rifles will be stored with the safety on, magazine out with bolt locked to the rear.

2.Only department authorized ammunition, Winchester .55GR FMJ, will be carried in the Patrol Rifle.

3.Patrol rifles will be secured in the vertical racks if equipped, or the patrol vehicle car trunk vault.

a.The rifles will be stored in the transport condition. Bolt-closed on empty chamber, magazine loaded/inserted into the magazine well, and safety “on”.

4.PATROL RIFLE removal from the police vehicle and brought into headquarters:

a.If there are any problems with either the rifle, ammunition, reflex sight or mounted flashlight the Firearms Instructor will be notified, who will determine the problem and obtain authorization from the Chief to have the weapon repaired. A tag will be attached to the rifle by the officer that discovers a defect or malfunction. The tag shall explain what the defect or malfunction is and signature of the officer who discovered the problem. Rifles that are tagged shall not be removed from the weapon closet. It shall

be the responsibility of the Supervising Firearms Instructor to remove a rifle from the weapon closet for the purpose of having the weapon repaired.

b.The PATROL RIFLES will be maintained by the Supervising Firearms Instructor, range staff or the Supervising Firearms Instructors designee. He shall keep a record of each weapon, indicating repairs and maintenance. (APPENDIX K)

5.PATROL RIFLE unloading instructions:

1. Check to make sure the safety is in the ON position.

b.Keep your finger away from the trigger and outside the trigger guard, the weapon is to be pointed in a downward position.

c.Press the magazine release button and remove the magazine.

d.Depress the BOLT RELEASE, and pull back CHARGING HANDLE, and lock the bolt to the rear. The rifle will now be in the “SAFE” CARRY POSITION, action open, magazine removed and SAFETY on.

6.Cleaning

a.Cleaning and maintenance will be performed by the Firearms Staff or the Supervising Firearms Instructors designee.

1. Loading instructions for placement into Patrol Vehicle:

a.Put the SAFETY in the ON position.

b.Slide the BOLT forward on an empty chamber.

c.Insert a full magazine into the MAGAZINE WELL.

d.Secure rifle in trunk vault of patrol vehicle.

1. Operational Deployment of the Police Patrol Rifle.

a.Only those officers who have successfully qualified with the Police Patrol Rifle will be authorized to utilize it.

b.There are limited situations where the Police Patrol Rifle should be deployed instead of the duty handgun or shotgun. Officers will use discretion in line

with their training as to when the deployment of the Police Patrol Rifle would be appropriate. Officers will be held responsible for the use of sound judgment in this regard.

c.Whenever possible, a supervisor will be asked to approve the use of the Police Patrol Rifle prior to deployment.

III.BOOKING ROOM PROCEDURES

A.Booking room security shall be the responsibility of all Officers when a prisoner(s) is in custody. The following guidelines must be followed.

1.Prior to entering the Sally port any prisoner(s) occupying the Booking Room must be secured.

2.The Officer then will place his/her duty weapon in the weapon security locker in the hallway with the safety on. There is no need to remove the magazine or un-chamber a round. After the locker is secure the Officer must maintain possession of the key.

3.Once assured that Booking Room prisoners and duty weapon are secure the Officer will have the prisoner exit the patrol vehicle and secure the suspect(s) to the bench.

4.Any Officer(s) assisting with the processing of prisoner(s) must also secure their duty weapon in the same manner.

IV.OFF DUTY / BACK-UP FIREARM

A.When off duty, each Officer will carry, or have in their possession, their Badge, Department identification card, Department issued firearm, H&K USP Compact .40cal., or an approved off duty firearm. This rule shall not apply when the member(s) are engaged in sports or activities of such a nature as to make it impractical.

1. Officers may carry an off duty firearm and/or back up firearm other than the department issued H&K .40 cal.

a.Officers wishing to carry either an off duty or back-up firearm, other than the department issued H&K .40 cal. must complete the “Off Duty and Back-up Firearms Authorization Report” and forward it to the lead firearms instructor for approval. (Appendix Q)

b.The form then will be forwarded to the Chief of Police for final approval before the firearm(s) may be carried by the officer. (Appendix Q)

C.Officers will only be permitted to have one off duty and one back up firearm.

1.There will be no requirement that an officer possess either of these weapons. An officer may utilize the department authorized firearm only.

2.Any expenses incurred for an off duty and/or a back-up firearm will be the responsibility of the individual officer.

D.Off Duty Firearm

1.An off duty firearm is one that, as the name suggests, may be carried off duty

2.The off duty firearm may not be smaller than a .380 cal. and may not be larger than our department issued H&K .40 cal.

3.The Lead Firearms Instructor and then the Chief of Police must approve the off duty firearm, ammunition and holster that will be used to secure the weapon.

4.The individual officer must provide his or her own ammunition for qualifications.

a.The ammunition must be the same or equal to the ammunition recognized as authorized duty ammunition (ie. hollow point and factory load).

b.An officer’s uniform allowance may be used to purchase ammunition and holster for the off duty firearm.

E.Back-up Firearm

1.A back-up firearm is carried while on duty and for the event of a malfunction of the duty firearm, or any other emergency situation where the duty firearm is unavailable, so an officer may be able to protect himself.

2.The back-up firearm may not be smaller than .32 cal.

3.The Lead Firearms Instructor and then the Chief of Police must also approve the back up firearm, holster and ammunition.

4.The individual officer must provide his or her own ammunition for qualifications.