Secure Holster Policing Standards Manual (2000) PDF

Policing Standards Manual (2000) Secure Holster Legislative/Regulatory Requirements The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets out the responsibilities of employers, supervisors and workers for workplace safety....

Policing Standards Manual (2000) Secure Holster Legislative/Regulatory Requirements The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets out the responsibilities of employers, supervisors and workers for workplace safety. Section 3 of O. Reg. 123/98 (“General”), made under the Police Services Act (PSA), requires that all articles of uniform and equipment necessary for the performance of duty shall be provided by the municipality, but, where a uniform or equipment is damaged or lost through the fault of the member of a police force, the member shall bear the cost of replacement. Section 135 of the PSA allows for the making of regulations regarding the use of any equipment by a police force or any of its members. “Regulation 926 (“ Equipment and Use of Force”)”, under the PSA, sets out requirements in relation to the use of force, including use of approved weapons, training, reporting and use/technical specifications for handguns. Sample Board Policy Board Policy #_____________ It is the policy of the _______________ Police Services Board with respect to secure holsters that: 1. The Chief of Police will: a) ensure the provision of secure holster equipment that is constructed to provide the level of protection that is necessary for the performance of duty including: i) inhibiting the handgun from being drawn inadvertently; ii) inhibiting the handgun from being withdrawn by an unauthorized person; and iii) permitting the rapid unimpeded drawing of the handgun should it be required; and b) consult with designated employee representatives regarding the acquisition of secure holsters. Police Service Guidelines General 1. Every Chief of Police should ensure that, at minimum, police officers and other appropriate members are issued a secure holster that: Secure Holster February 2004 AI-014 1/3 Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Policing Standards Manual (2000) Secure Holster a) will be so constructed (so that both the holster and the finger-break) as to expose the handgun's butt so that the user's initial grip may remain unchanged during the handgun's removal and firing; b) has no features that will inhibit the handgun's rapid withdrawal on those occasions where instantaneous access is required; c) has safety features that inhibit the withdrawal of the gun inadvertently or by an unauthorized person; d) must be constructed to allow quick and safe re-holstering and securing of the handgun with one hand; e) allows for an optional belt loop mount to be provided for those officers who require the holster to be somewhat lower and capable of being mounted on a drop loop belt or straight belt; and f) is inspected on an annual basis by a qualified person to ensure that it is in proper working condition. 2. Every Chief of Police should ensure that, prior to making a decision regarding the acquisition of secure holsters, designated employee representatives are consulted. 3. Every Chief of Police should ensure that, at minimum, police officers are issued secure holsters that have the following physical requirements: a) the main body of the holster is to be a unitary moulded pocket; b) the holster is to be constructed of a material of high durability; c) the holster is to be moulded for the particular make, model, and barrel length of the handgun carried within; d) the holster is to provide a resilient squeezing effect to inhibit relative movement while in the holster, and to prevent the accidental removal of the handgun from the holster; e) the holster is to be constructed so as to permit minimal moisture retention; f) the holster is to be constructed with a provision to partially enclose the trigger guard in such a way that the trigger is fully covered; g) a one or two-piece finger-break retention/release provision will be provided for the opening; h) the holster will provide at least two separate and redundant safety features to prevent the withdrawal inadvertently or by an unauthorized person, even when one of the two systems are defeated; i) the holster will be constructed to reduce the risk of an unauthorized forward release; j) the holster will be constructed with safety features that are effective from a left hand or a right hand attack; k) the holster will be constructed to permit withdrawal by the support hand if required in an emergent situation; l) a belt mount will be provided of the same, or stronger material as the holster; m) the belt mount will be so constructed that it will: i) snugly fit the contours of the user's body; February 2004 AI-014 2/3 Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services  Policing Standards Manual (2000) Secure Holster ii) position the holster on the user's strong hand side; iii) be affixed to and through the holster's inner-side with secure and durable fasteners, the heads being of such a size to minimize damage to clothing and to prevent pulling through belt loop mount; iv) must include an inner belt and minimum four belt keepers designed to secure the gun belt to the body; and v) accommodate a belt of high quality durable material, to be a maximum of " in width and a minimum of in width, and to be a maximum thickness of ¼" and a minimum thickness of " thick. Concealed 4. Every Chief of Police should ensure that police officers and other authorized members Carry and operating in a plain clothes or undercover capacity or operating in a specialized unit Specialized are issued a secure holster that: Units a) is designed to meet the specific needs and requirements of the officer; b) provides the level of protection that is necessary for the performance of the members non-uniform or specialized duty; c) inhibits the handgun from being drawn inadvertently, or by an unauthorized person; d) permits the rapid drawing of the handgun when required; e) is approved by the police service; and f) the police officer or authorized person has been provided with in service training on the type of secure holster issued for this specialized function. Procedures 5. Every police service’s procedures should ensure that police officers that are provided a secure holster: a) use that type of secure holster in accordance with the manufacturers standards; b) maintain and care for the secure holster that is issued to them; and c) report to his or her supervisor the absence of, or defect in, any equipment or protective device of which the police officer is aware and which may endanger himself, herself or another worker. Training 6. Every police service’s procedures on secure holsters shall ensure that police officers and and appropriate members receive training in accordance with the requirements of the Information Equipment and Use of Force Regulation and accompanying guideline. 7. Every Chief of Police shall ensure that appropriate supervisors and police officers are provided with training and information in accordance with the OHSA that would include: a) the proper use and care of secure holsters; and b) the responsibilities and obligations of employers , supervisors and employees under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. February 2004 AI-014 3/3 Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services