Standard 1.19

Standard statement

The agency shall have a directive that requires only weapons and ammunition meeting agency authorized specifications be used by agency personnel in law enforcement responsibilities both on duty, off duty, and working extra duty. The directive must address:

Each bullet must stand alone when establishing compliance, with proofs identified for every lettered requirement.

a.the types and specifications of all lethal and less-than-lethal weapons approved for use;
b.the types and specifications of ammunition approved for use;
c.the procedure for review, inspection, and approval of all weapons intended for use by each employee in the performance of duty, prior to carrying, by a qualified weapons instructor or Armorer;
d.a process to remove unsafe weapons; and
e.the procedure for maintaining a record on every weapon approved by the agency for official use.

Discussion

The intent of this standard is to establish strict agency control over all firearms, weapons and ammunition it allows members to carry and use in the performance of their official duties, both on duty and working extra duty. For firearms, the agency should establish an approval process. Each firearm should be identified, meet the agency’s established criteria, and be safe and in good working order. The user should demonstrate his or her proficiency in using the firearm on an approved qualifying course before being approved, in writing, by the agency, to carry and use the firearm. A certified firearms instructor or armorer should inspect and approve the firearm and oversee the proficiency test. A complete record of all weapons approved by the agency should be maintained. For firearms, the record should list the type, description, identifying model, and serial number of each, as well as the identity of the owner or assignee. The record should also include the name of the official making the approval, the date of approval, the course fired, and all scores used to qualify the user on the demonstration of proficiency. All approvals should be conditional upon periodic re-qualification.

The discussion clarifies intent and is not a binding part of the standard. For assessment purposes you are required to comply only with the standard statement.