Untitled Quiz

Policing Standards Manual (2000) - Secure Holster

• Legislative/Regulatory Requirements:
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) outlines employer, supervisor, and worker responsibilities for workplace safety.
  • Ontario Regulation 123/98 (General) under the Police Services Act (PSA) mandates that municipalities provide necessary uniform and equipment for duty. Members are responsible for replacing damaged/lost items.
  • PSA Section 135 allows for regulations on equipment use, including Regulation 926 (Equipment and Use of Force) which outlines requirements for approved weapons, training, reporting, and handgun specifications.

Sample Board Policy

• Policy of the Police Services Board:
  • Chief of Police to ensure provision of secure holster equipment to prevent accidental/unauthorized handgun use. Must be constructed to:
    • Inhibit unintentional handgun drawing
    • Inhibit unauthorised withdrawal of the handgun
    • Permit rapid drawing of the handgun
  • Consult with employee representatives for holster acquisition.

Police Service Guidelines

• General:

  • Every chief of police must ensure police officers have a secure holster at minimum.

• Secure Holster:

  • Holsters must meet certain design requirements outlined in the document to ensure proper operation and safety functions, including:
    • Design for easy and rapid handgun withdrawal.
    • Inhibiting accidents or unauthorized drawing of the handgun.
    • Proper and safe reholstering, preferably with one hand.
    • Allow for optional belt loop mount for varied needs and/or working condition.
    • Annual inspection for proper function.

• Acquisition of Secure Holsters: Chief of Police must consult with designated employee representatives prior to acquiring holsters.

• Holster Physical Requirements: Holsters to be:

  • Unitary moulded pocket construction.
  • High durability material.
  • Designed for the specific make, model, and barrel length of handgun.
  • Providing resilience to prevent accidental removal and inhibit relative movement.
  • Designed to minimise moisture retention.
  • Partial trigger guard enclosure.
  • One/two-piece finger-break retention/release.
  • Redundant, two-system safety features to prevent unauthorized drawing.
  • Provide protection from left/right-hand attacks.
  • Removable by support hand if required.
  • Belt mount constructed from same/stronger material fitting body contours.

• Concealed Carry/Specialised Units

  • Secure holster design should meet specific needs for specialized units and undercover operations
  • Should meet any additional protective needs for the officer's particular duty.
  • Must have appropriate training on the particular holster if used by specialized units.

• Procedures

  • Police services to provide training on approved holster types/standards and maintenance responsibilities.
  • Report defects or absence of equipment to the supervisor immediately, and
  • Should use issued secure holster in proper functionality & safety

• Training and Information

  • Police Officers and supervisors must be trained on proper use and maintenance of secure holsters and/or any associated legislation on equipment and usage.
  • Police services to ensure training complies with legislative safety regulations (OHSA).