Seattle Police Manual

9.090 – Rifle & Shotgun Programs

Patrol Rifle

Effective Date: 7/28/2004

POLICY

Only officers who are trained and qualified in the use of the Seattle Police Department’s patrol rifle are authorized to carry and deploy this weapon. This policy is intended to be consistent with, and a component part of, the Department policy on the Use of Deadly Force.

I. Definitions

A. Employee - any Department sworn employee authorized, trained, and currently qualified to carry a rifle.

B. Storage condition - the weapon’s selector lever is on “safe”, the magazine has been removed, the chamber is empty, the bolt is locked open, and a magazine block is inserted in the magazine well.

C. Tactical condition - when the weapon’s selector lever is on “safe”, a magazine is loaded in the weapon and a round is chambered, making the weapon ready for immediate use.

D. Patrol car ready - the weapon’s selector lever is on “safe”, no live round is in the chamber, the bolt is closed, a fully loaded magazine is inserted in the magazine well, and the ejection port dust cover is closed.

II. Rifles

A. Authorized Rifles

Patrol Rifle

Make Colt or Bushmaster AR 15 style

Caliber .223 Remington

Barrel length 16 inch or 14.5 inch

Appearance Black parkerized finish with either fixed or collapsible stock. Slings, tactical lights, and ACOG sights are authorized for use. 20 or 30 round magazines may be used.

B. Authorized Modifications:

1. Only the Firearms Training Squad armorer will perform or authorize modifications and repairs to the Patrol Rifles.

2. The only authorized modifications are:

a. Changes to the pistol grip.

b. Addition of a “gapper plug” above the pistol grip area.

c. Use of a different sling system other than the issued tactical sling.

d. Left-handed shooters may have approved ambidextrous accessories installed by the range armorer.

e. Tritium front post if no ACOG sight is used.

f. Selection of either a fixed or an adjustable stock.

3. Deviations from these weapon specifications must have prior approval of the Training Captain.

4. Rifles will be inspected by the Firearms Training Squad at Patrol Rifle qualifications.

C. Issuance and Use

1. On-duty officers are only authorized to use Department issued rifles.

2. Off-duty use of the Department issued rifles is restricted. Written approval must be obtained from the Deputy Chief of Operations for off-duty use of the rifle.

3. The Firearms Training Squad issues rifles to qualified officers and maintains an accurate and up-to-date record of officers to whom a rifle has been assigned.

III. Program Eligibility and Assignment

A. Participation in the patrol rifle program is a voluntary assignment unless a Precinct Captain or above deems an immediate operational need for that resource.

B. Officers must have successfully completed 2 years of service following their sworn date with SPD to be eligible for assignment to the patrol rifle program.

C. The selection process is as follows:

1. When openings exist or are anticipated, there will be an announcement within each Operations Bureau (usually at roll calls) for interested officers to submit their names.

2. The Precinct Captain will make the selection from the list of officers submitting their names.

3. This list of names will then be submitted to the Bureau Chief in charge of the program. He or she will review the names and obtain firearms qualification scores for the last 2 years for each interested officer.

4. After reviewing the list, the Bureau Chief will send the names of those officers selected to the Advanced Training Unit. The Advanced Training Unit will notify those selected through their chain of command.

5. Complete the Training Course and requirements.

D. Allocated rifle positions will remain within the precinct of assignment at the discretion of the Precinct Captain.

IV. General Rifle Handling

A. The rifle safety will be ON at all times unless the operator is on target and has decided to shoot.

B. The rifle will not have a round loaded in the chamber when in a police vehicle, and will be locked in its holder or stowed in its carrying case in the trunk when not in use.

C. A round will only be loaded into the chamber of the weapon outside the police vehicle in anticipation of the weapon’s imminent use (“Tactical Condition”).

D. Except when anticipating the imminent use of the rifle, employees will inspect the weapon to ensure that the safety is on and there is no round loaded in the chamber when:

1. Checking a rifle out from an authorized police weapons storage facility or locker.

2. Taking the rifle out of its locked holder or Department approved carrying case.

3. Receiving a rifle from another person.

E. If the rifle is found to have a round in the chamber, the employee will move to a safe location, point the muzzle in a safe direction and unload the weapon as detailed in the P&T-040 Weapon Safety.

1. In a precinct, at the range or other facility where a firearm-unloading barrel is present, the rifle must be unloaded with the muzzle pointed into the barrel.

F. The rifle will be placed in “Storage Condition” before it is turned in or stored.

V. Rifle Deployment

A. Recommended Use. Below are guidelines for deploying with a rifle. The officer will be responsible for justifying his/her decision to deploy with a rifle in any given set of circumstances.

1. Where greater accuracy is desired which cannot be achieved with a handgun or shotgun.

2. Incidents in which a suspect or suspects are heavily armed (i.e. a rifle).

3. Incidents in which a suspect or suspects are wearing body armor.

4. Incidents where there is lack of appropriate cover within acceptable ranges near the threat for the use of a handgun or shotgun, indicating the need for greater accuracy.

5. To provide containment at a safer distance while awaiting arrival of the SWAT Team.

B. Rifle Use:

1. Whenever use of the rifle is anticipated, officers will ensure that they have a clear field of fire. As with any other firearm, officers must be especially mindful of the potential danger to innocent bystanders, occupants of nearby buildings, and traffic if the weapon is used in congested areas.

C. Post Firing Rifle Handling:

1. In the event the rifle is fired, the officer must maintain the condition of the rifle. After the incident has been stabilized, the safety shall be engaged. No other actions shall be taken to render the rifle “safe”.

2. The rifle shall be turned over to Investigations Bureau personnel.

VI. Rifle Security

A. Vehicles:

1. Rifles will be removed from any vehicle prior to being taken out of service or being serviced (for example, fueling, washing, etc.) unless an officer is available to standby with the vehicle until the maintenance is completed.

2. Vehicles with electronic locks shall not be left unattended without first removing the ignition key.

3. Vehicles with manual locks shall not be left unattended without first removing the rifle lock key.

B. Precinct

1. Employees will secure the rifle in their assigned locker when not in use unless there is a designated secured rifle storage space in the police facility. Rifles in lockers will be secured in “storage condition”. Rifles in vehicles will be “patrol car ready”.

C. Training

1. Employees may take their rifles to training.

a. An employee must receive approval from the Training Captain for attending any training outside of Department training.

2. The rifle must be transported in its case.

VII. Qualifications

A. Qualification

1. The Captain of the Education & Training Section shall establish the qualification standards and proficiency-training curriculum. Qualification standards are minimum scores established by the Captain of the Education & Training Section, and are published in Department Special Orders prior to a scheduled qualification session.

2. Officers shall qualify with their Department-issued patrol rifle. All rifle officers are required to qualify as prescribed in Department Directives or Special Orders.

3. Officers are required to initial next to their score on the sign-in sheet. This will ensure that the officer knows and agrees with the score as documented.

4. Those who fail to meet the minimum score will be given one additional opportunity to qualify during that session.

5. Unexcused failures to shoot, or failure to appear for remedial training as directed, will cause the Captain of the Education & Training Section to forward a memorandum to the officer’s Bureau Chief, and may result in removal of the employee from the rifle program.

B. Qualification Waivers

1. Waivers must be requested per the procedures described in the current qualification Special Order.

C. Failure to Qualify

1. Officers failing to qualify with their patrol rifle are responsible for contacting the Firearms Training Squad and scheduling remedial training if desired.

a. Officers are not authorized to carry the patrol rifle for duty use until successful completion of the rifle qualification is accomplished.

b. A certified firearms instructor will be assigned to the officer upon request.

c. It is the officer’s responsibility to meet with their assigned instructor as often as needed during the remedial training period of thirty days to acquire the skills required to successfully qualify with the rifle. No overtime is authorized for this activity.

(1) Officers will be provided with a reasonable amount of target ammunition and range time.

Note: The “thirty day remedial training period” begins at the time of the failure to qualify. Any attempt to re-qualify prior to the completion of the 30 day deadline will conclude the remedial training period.

2. Officers failing to qualify after remedial training shall be removed from the patrol rifle program.

3. Officers may appeal their removal from the patrol rifle program to the Firearms Qualification Review Board (FQRB).

4. Should the officer be disabled or on sick leave during any portion of the thirty day remedial period, the thirty day period shall be lengthened by the amount of time the officer was disabled or on sick leave.

 

Patrol Shotgun

Effective Date: 2/6/2007

POLICY

Only officers who are trained and qualified in the use of the Seattle Police Department’s patrol shotgun are authorized to carry and deploy this weapon. This policy is intended to be consistent with, and a component part of, the Department policy on the Use of Deadly Force.

I. Definitions

A. Employee: Any Department sworn employee authorized, trained, and currently qualified to carry a patrol shotgun.

B. Storage condition: The shotgun safety is on “safe”, the magazine tube is empty, the orange Saf-T-Round is inserted in the chamber, the forend is closed on the orange Saf-T-Round.

C. Tactical condition: The shotgun safety is on “safe”, the magazine tube is loaded with precision buckshot shells or slugs and a shell is loaded into the chamber making the weapon ready for immediate use.

D. Patrol car ready condition: The shotgun safety is on “safe”, the chamber is empty, the shotgun is de-cocked, and the magazine tube is loaded with five (5) precision buckshot shells.

II. Shotgun

A. Authorized Shotgun is the Remington 870, 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, with an unrifled 18-inch smooth cylinder bore barrel. The shotgun will have a black polymer or wooden stock in three (3) configurations; 12½-inch short stock, or 13-inch pistol grip stock, or 13½-inch standard stock. The shotgun will have a tactical sling, Lazzarini light mount with PolyStinger light, sidesaddle shell carrier, magazine extension and adjustable ghost ring sights.

B. Authorized Modifications:

1. Only the Firearms Training Squad Armorer will perform or authorize modifications and repairs to the patrol shotguns.

2. The only authorized modifications are:

a. Cheek pads mounted on the stocks.

3. Deviations from these shotgun specifications must have prior approval of the Captain of Training.

4. Firearms Training Squad personnel will inspect the patrol shotguns for serviceability and maintenance at scheduled shotgun qualifications.

C. Issuance and Use

1. On-duty officers are only authorized to use Department issued shotguns.

2. Off-duty use of the Department issued shotguns is restricted. Written approval must be obtained from the Deputy Chief of Operations for off-duty use of the shotgun.

3. The Firearms Training Squad issues shotguns to qualified officers and maintains an accurate and up- to-date record of officers to whom a shotgun has been assigned.

4. Officers who fail to remain current on all scheduled training and qualifications will be removed from the Patrol Shotgun Program. Their shotgun and all associated issued equipment must be turned into the Firearms Training Squad.

III. Program Eligibility and Assignment

A. Participation in the Patrol Shotgun Program is a voluntary assignment open to all sworn personnel.

B. Officers must have successfully completed their probationary period after graduation from the Basic Academy to be eligible for assignment to the Patrol Shotgun Program.

C. The selection process is as follows:

1. Patrol Shotgun schools are scheduled throughout the year by the Firearms Training Squad. A minimum of one school quarterly is scheduled. School announcements are sent to all sworn personnel via Department email. Interested officers are requested to submit their names on a memo up their chain of command to their Captain.

2. The Officer’s or Detective’s Captain will make selections and authorize the training time.

3. This list of names, approved by the chain of command will then be submitted to the Firearms Training Squad.

4. The Firearms Training Squad will then notify those selected of the training dates and times.

5. Successful completion of the three day training course and requirements.

IV. General Shotgun Handling

A. While on duty, officers will store their shotguns in the electronic shotgun rack of the patrol car if equipped with one. If not equipped with a rack, officers will secure the shotgun in the Department approved carrying case locked inside the trunk. In either case, the shotgun will be stored in the patrol car ready condition.

B. Once the decision is made to deploy with the shotgun, the officer will determine when to place the shotgun in the tactical condition. The decision to chamber a shell should be based upon their perception of the immediacy of the need.

C. After placing the shotgun in the tactical condition, the officer may take the weapon off “safe” when the stock of the weapon is mounted in the shoulder.

D. It is advised that officers should place the safety switch in the on position anytime the stock is removed from the shoulder.

E. If the situation is resolved without the need to fire the shotgun, the officer will use a safe location to place the shotgun back into a storage or patrol car ready condition as soon as practical.

V. Shotgun Deployment

A. Recommended Use. Below are guidelines for deploying with a shotgun. The officer will be responsible for justifying his/her decision to deploy with a shotgun in any given set of circumstances.

1. Where greater accuracy is desired which cannot be achieved with a handgun.

2. Incidents with multiple and/or armed suspects. (i.e. a rifle).

3. Incidents in which a suspect(s) are wearing body armor.

4. Incidents where there is lack of appropriate cover within acceptable ranges near the threat for the use of a handgun.

5. To provide containment at a safer distance while awaiting arrival of a Patrol Rifle officer or SWAT team members.

6. For long cover situations or rapid intervention.

B. Shotgun Use:

1. Whenever use of the shotgun is anticipated, officers will ensure that they have a clear field of fire. As with any other firearm, officers must be especially mindful of the potential danger to innocent bystanders, occupants of nearby buildings, and traffic if the weapon is used in congested areas.

C. Post-firing shotgun handling:

1. In the event the shotgun is fired, the officer must maintain the condition of the shotgun. After the incident has been stabilized, the safety shall be engaged. No other actions shall be taken to render the shotgun “safe”.

2. The shotgun shall be turned over to Investigations Bureau personnel.

VI. Shotgun Security

A. Vehicles

1. Shotguns will be removed from any vehicle prior to being taken out of service or for scheduled maintenance unless an officer is available to standby with the vehicle until the maintenance is completed.

2. Vehicles with electronic locks shall not be left unattended without first removing the ignition key.

3. Vehicles with manual locks shall not be left unattended without first removing the shotgun lock key.

B. Precinct

1. Officers will secure the shotgun in their assigned locker when not in use. Shotguns stored in lockers will be in the storage condition. Shotguns in vehicles will be stored in the patrol car ready condition.

C. Training

1. Officers will take their shotguns to training.

2. An officer must receive approval from the training Captain for attending any training outside of Department training.

3. The shotgun must be transported in its Department approved case.

VII. Qualifications

A. Qualification

1. The Captain of the Education & Training Section shall establish the qualification standards and proficiency-training curriculum. Qualification standards are minimum scores established by the Captain of the Education & Training Section, and are published in Department Special Orders prior to a scheduled qualification session.

2. Officers shall qualify with their Department-issued patrol shotgun. All shotgun officers are required to qualify as prescribed in Department Directives or Special Orders.

3. Officers are required to initial next to their score on the sign-in sheet. This will ensure that the officer knows and agrees with the score as documented.

4. Those who fail to meet the minimum score will be given one additional opportunity to qualify during that qualification session.

5. Unexcused failures to qualify, or failure to appear for remedial training as directed, will cause the Captain of the Training Section to forward a memorandum to the officer’s Bureau Chief, and may result in removal of the officer from the shotgun program.

B. Qualification Waivers

1. Waivers must be requested per the procedures described in the current qualification Special Order.

C. Failure to Qualify

1. Officers failing to qualify with their patrol shotgun are responsible for contacting the Firearms Training Squad and scheduling remedial training if desired.

a. Officers are not authorized to carry the patrol shotgun for duty use until successful completion of the shotgun qualification is accomplished.

b. A certified firearms instructor will be assigned to the officer upon request.

c. It is the officer’s responsibility to meet with their assigned instructor as often as needed during the remedial training period of thirty days to acquire the skills required to successfully qualify with the shotgun. No overtime is authorized for this activity.

(1) Officers will be provided with a reasonable amount of ammunition and range time.

Note: The “30-day remedial training period” begins at the time of the failure to qualify. Any attempt to re-qualify prior to the completion of the 30-day deadline will conclude the remedial training period.

2. Officers failing to qualify after remedial training shall be removed from the Patrol Shotgun Program.

3. Officers may appeal their removal from the patrol shotgun program to the Firearms Qualification Review Board (FQRB).

4. Should the officer be disabled or on sick leave during any portion of the 30-day remedial period, the thirty day period shall be lengthened by the amount of time the officer was disabled or on sick leave.