LE Rifle Procedures PDF

APPENDIX (B) LAW ENFORCEMENT PATROL RIFLE B-8.01 PROCEDURES A. Deputies who wish to carry a LEPR must meet the requirements set forth in this policy prior to carrying the LEPR for official law enforcement duties. B. Conditions of carry: Three things are constant for all conditions of ca...

APPENDIX (B) LAW ENFORCEMENT PATROL RIFLE B-8.01 PROCEDURES A. Deputies who wish to carry a LEPR must meet the requirements set forth in this policy prior to carrying the LEPR for official law enforcement duties. B. Conditions of carry: Three things are constant for all conditions of carry. 1. Muzzle is pointed in a safe direction. 2. Finger is off the trigger and indexed along the frame above the trigger. 3. Safety is “ON”. C. “Patrol Ready” – This is how the LEPR shall be configured when in the law enforcement vehicle rifle rack. The bolt is forward/closed on an empty chamber. The safety is “ON” (which requires the hammer to be cocked) and the dust cover is closed. A full magazine is inserted (minus 2 rounds) and locked in place. The rifles sling must be prepared to allow for not only ease of weapon removal but ease of sling deployment. D. To load the rifle into this condition: 1. Muzzle is pointed in a safe direction with the safety “ON” and the trigger indexed. 2. Remove the magazine. 3. Open the action and lock the bolt to the rear. 4. Visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure the weapon is unloaded. 5. Close the bolt on the empty chamber. 6. Seat a loaded magazine (full minus 2 rounds) into the rifle. Remember PUSH/PULL to ensure magazine is seated properly. 7. Close the dust cover. 8. Five checks confirm a proper transport carry condition: a. Safety is “ON”. b. Chamber is empty (press check). c. Full magazine is seated (minus 2 rounds). d. Sling is properly prepared. e. Dust cover is closed Effective date April 30, 2014 95 E. Action/Loaded Carry – If the priority level of a call is high enough for the rifle to be out of the vehicle, then the LEPR should be in this condition. F. Steps to load the rifle into this condition: 1. Muzzle is pointed in a safe direction with the safety “ON” and the trigger indexed. 2. Full magazine (minus 2 rounds) is in the LEPR. 3. Work the action to load a round in chamber. 4. Conduct a press check to confirm a round was chambered, OR use the LEFT/RIGHT loaded magazine technique. 5. Deploy sling when time permits. 6. Dust cover is closed if applicable. a. Safe Carry – The rifle is prepared for short-term LE storage or other administrative purposes. 1) Muzzle is pointed in a safe direction with the safety “ON” and trigger finger indexed. 2) Remove the magazine. 3) Open the action and visually and physically inspect the chamber to ensure the weapon is unloaded. 4) Lock the bolt to the rear with a hi-vis chamber block, or let the bolt go forward on a hi-vis chamber flag. b. Each LEPR authorized to be carried for official law enforcement duties must be carried in the vehicle’s rifle rack as described previously in “Patrol Ready”. If the law enforcement vehicle does not have a rifle rack, the LEPR shall be carried in the vehicle’s trunk in a protective rifle case. While the LEPR is in the trunk, it shall be carried in the “Patrol Ready” condition. CID personnel are to adhere to CID SOP regarding use of the LEPR by division members. c. All deputies must carry on or about their person an approved LEPR certification card when the LEPR is carried. d. The original approved authorization form (AR105) will be kept on file with the FPCO, for personally owned rifles. 1) Deputies using LEPR’s shall adhere to all applicable policies set forth in this manual pertaining to Use of Force and Qualifications, including but not limited to: Chapter 8, "Firearms and Training. 2) Chapter 9, "Use of Force". Effective date April 30, 2014 96 B-8.02 ACCESSORIES – PERSONALLY OWNED LEPR 1. Each LEPR shall be equipped with an approved sling. 2. Each LEPR may be equipped with a mounted light source or night-sights approved by the FPCO or designee. The light source must meet a minimum standard of 60 Lumens and are to be mounted independently of the barrel. 3. Any accessories must be inspected and approved on a case-by-case basis by the FPCO or designee. If equipped with an electronic sighting system such as an EOTech or Aimpoint sight, the rifle will have a backup (flip-up) rear sight so the deputy will have the ability to co- witness his/her shot if the need arises. If the LEPR does not have an electronic sighting system then the LEPR must have sights made of metal or polymer-like materials. 4. The trigger pull of the LEPR must not be less than 4.5 pounds, and no more than 6.5 pounds when tested by the FTU. 5. Due to the large amount of magazine manufacturers, magazine brands/styles will be approved by the FPCO on a case by case basis. Magazines with a capacity exceeding 30 rounds are not authorized. B-8.03 ACCESSORIES – COUNTY OWNED LEPR 1. No modifications are authorized, unless modified by the FTU rifle armorers. 2. Each LEPR shall be equipped with an approved sling. 3. Each LEPR may be equipped with a mounted light source or night-sights approved by the FPCO or designee. The light source must meet a minimum standard of 60 Lumens and are to be mounted independently of the barrel. 4. If equipped with an electronic sighting system such as an EOTech or Aimpoint will have a backup (flip-up) rear sight so the deputy will have the ability to co-witness his/her shot if the need arises. If the LEPR does not have an electronic sighting system then the LEPR must have sights made of metal or polymer-like materials. 5. Any other accessories must be inspected and approved on a case-by-case basis by the FPCO or designee. 6. The trigger pull of the LEPR must not be less than 4.5 pounds nor more than 6.5 pounds when tested by the FTU. 7. Due to the large amount of magazine manufacturers, magazine brands/styles will be approved on a case by case basis. Magazines with a capacity exceeding 30 rounds are not authorized. Effective date April 30, 2014 97 B-8.04 QUALIFICATION COURSE All law enforcement deputies requesting to carry the LEPR must take the 3 day (24 hour) rifle course offered by the BCSO FTU. 1. Initial qualification shall consist of a standard marksmanship qualification course that meets or exceeds TCOLE rule # 217.21, and a combat-type course of fire. The qualification course of fire will be a minimum of 50 rounds; 40 rounds rifle and 10 rounds handgun. 2. Law Enforcement deputies equipped with a LEPR shall attend an annual rifle recertification class (4 hour minimum) which will conclude with a re-qualification course of fire requiring a 90% minimum score. 3. Any deputy who fails to qualify by his/her second attempt will be restricted from carrying a LEPR, but may reapply at the next scheduled LEPR qualification course. B-8.05 DEPLOYMENT A. As it is impossible to set down in writing every possible scenario, circumstance or set of facts, in which a LEPR should or could be deployed, this section is to serve as a guideline regarding the deployment of LEPR’s. B. Examples of situations in which a LEPR could be deployed include, but are not limited to, situations where the suspect(s) may be: 1. Wearing/utilizing body armor or any other device that would defeat, impede or otherwise inhibit the use of a handgun. 2. Armed with, or has immediate access to a weapon which surpasses the weapons normally carried by field personnel. 3. Armed and situated in a distant or fortified location which affords the suspect(s) a tactically superior position, in which the deployment of a LEPR may be deemed necessary to stop the suspect’s deadly behavior. 4. Armed and/or barricaded where the deputy is manning a perimeter position. 5. As a general rule, the on-duty supervisor may deem it appropriate to deploy the LEPR. In the absence of a supervisor the decision to deploy a LEPR will be at the discretion of the deputy on the scene. B-8.06 USE OF DEADLY FORCE A. Deputies must be aware that even though the ammunition authorized by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office decreases the risk of the round over-penetrating, it does not decrease the over-all range of the round in the event of a missed shot. Deputies should always evaluate the surrounding area and Effective date April 30, 2014 98 consider the risks a missed shot might pose to persons in the area. B. Deputies shall follow the Use of Force policy outlined in Chapter 9 of the Sheriff's Policy and Procedure Manual in regards to deploying a firearm. C. Nothing in this document shall supersede the established Use of Force policy outlined in the Sheriff’s Manual. D. Deputies shall follow Chapter 9 of the Texas Penal Code, Justification Excluding Criminal Responsibility, and existing case law regarding the use of deadly force. Effective date April 30, 2014 99