61663685.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE ACCREDITATION Firearms Range CALEA 4.3.5 (a-g) PRIOR REVISIONS PROPONENT UNIT 07/03/2019 Training and Education Division ATTACHMENT: NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES 4.1 07/03/2019 09/23/2024 7 I. PURPOSE: This policy is to provide guidelines for the use of the firearms range owned by Santa Fe College and controlled by the Santa Fe Institute of Public Safety. This policy applies to all sworn members of the Gainesville Police Department. The policy is designed to specify procedures for the safe and productive use of the range II. POLICY: The use of the firearms range is a privilege afforded to our agency/officers to facilitate practice, training, and qualification in an effort to provide them with the highest firearms proficiency possible. Officers are encouraged to use the range for this purpose and are required to maintain the highest levels and standards of safety. [CALEA 4.3.5.a] III. PROCEDURE A. Authority, Chain of Command and Responsibilities 1. The Training and Education Division (T.E.D) will appoint a Range Master for the firearm range. This will be an agency member who is a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) approved Firearms Instructor. The Range Master will act as the range supervisor during all times when the range is in use. [CALEA 4.3.5.c] 2. Any appointed Range Master, and any appointed Firearms Instructor will be required to successfully obtain certification as a Firearms Instructor, as required by the FDLE Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC), to include annual emergency medical response training. [CALEA 4.3.5.f] 3. The Training and Education Division (T.E.D) will be responsible for the following: i. Supervision of the training section, Range Master, and Firearms Instructors; ii. Ensure all instructors assigned to training within the training facility and simulators are certified to perform their individual assignments; 1\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT iii. Ensure Range Master and all firearms instructors have a trauma kit readily assessable and are prepared for an emergency medical response reference field treatment for types of injuries which may potentially occur during firearms training; and iv. Oversight of range operations; 4. The Range Master will be responsible for the following [CALEA 4.3.5.c]: i. Organizing practice, training and qualification sessions for the range; ii. Developing courses of fire and scoring systems; iii. Confirm records are maintained for all firearms authorized to be carried by agency personnel and their qualification dates. Pass/fail scores will be recorded by a firearms instructor for each firearm; iv. Ensure remedial training is provided for officers who fail to achieve a passing score during mandatory training with firearms or for employees identified by his/her supervisor as needing remedial training; v. Ensuring all safety standards for the use and maintenance of the gun range are met; vi. Ensuring all supplies are available for use (e.g., targets, target devices, protective wear, first aid equipment,) and any other items to ensure the safe and productive operation of the training facility; vii. Preparing reports concerning firearms training and range use, as required; and viii. Other duties as designated by the Training Services Sergeant. 5. Firearms Instructors will be responsible for the following: i. Assisting the Range Master with gun range use and firearms as requested; ii. Ensure all safety standards during the use of the gun range are met; iii. Ensure his/her instructor certification is maintained during such service; iv. Ensure emergency medical response training is completed annually, which should emphasize field treatment for the types of injuries which may potentially occur during firearms training; v. Provide remedial training for officers who fail to achieve a passing score during mandatory training with firearms or for employees identified by his/her supervisor as needing remedial training; 2\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT vi. Confirm records are maintained for all firearms authorized to be carried by agency personnel and their qualification dates. Pass/fail scores will be recorded by a firearms instructor for each firearm; vii. Maintaining a working knowledge of changes and improvements in weapons, ammunition, and other equipment; ix. Stay informed of statutory and case law as it relates to firearms training; x. Advise the Range Master of any problems, special circumstances, and unusual situations which occur at the range; and xi. Other duties as designated by the Training Services Sergeant. 6. Agency personnel utilizing the range/training facility will be responsible for the following: i. Will be required to following all range/training facility rules and regulations; ii. Disposing of any trip hazards, spent shell casings, used targets and trash; iii. Return of training aides, equipment, targets, protective gear and any other items utilized to their original condition and placement; iv. Reporting any damage or hazardous conditions to instructors; and v. Reporting any injury sustained while utilizing the range. vii. Department members are required to wear protective safety gear to include eye and hearing protection (informally known as eyes and ears). [CALEA 4.3.5.e] B. Authorized and Prohibited Weapons and Ammunition [CALEA 4.3.5.d] 1. Weapons and ammunition authorized to be utilized at the firearms range, are generally limited to: i. Handguns, rifles, and shotguns issued by this agency; ii. Handguns, rifles, and shotguns approved by the agency, and used for the purposes of off-duty defense or secondary weapons; iii. Handguns, rifles, and shotguns of similar caliber and gauge to those approved by the agency; iv. Other approved less-lethal weapons with authorization from the tactical team commander and/or the team leader. 3\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT 2. Weapons Prohibited i. Any weapon or device designed to shoot or throw any explosive devices, projectiles, or ordnance; and ii. Any weapon or device which would cause avoidable damage to any portion of the gun range, or risk avoidable injury by its use. 3. Ammunition Prohibited i. Any rifle ammunition greater than 308 caliber; ii. Ammunition designed, or has any potential to penetrate armor, concrete, or steel; iii. Explosive devices, projectiles, or ordnance; and iv. Any ammunition or projectile which would cause avoidable damage to any portion of the gun range, or risk avoidable injury by its use. 4. Only authorized weapons, ammunition, equipment and targets will be permitted for use on the range. The Range Master, in conjunction with the Training Sergeant, will determine what equipment will be authorized. [CALEA 4.3.5.d] 5. The Range Master will transport and distribute ammunition for use at the firearms range. Agency personnel will transport weapons to the range in his/her vehicle for use at the range. C. Regulations Regarding Storage of Ammunition and Weapons Ammunition will be stored in the ammunition vault at Santa Fe IPS. The training Sergeant or designee will check out the ammunition to be used at the firearms range. [CALEA 4.3.5.g] D. Operation and Maintenance of the Range 1. The firearms range may be used only by those persons expressly authorized by the Training Sergeant or the Range Master. 2. At no time will anyone be allowed to use the facility without the presence of an agency Range Master and/or a Firearms Instructor or designee on the property. 3. The agency is responsible for providing an instructor/student ratio adequate for safe and effective training. 4. Ammunition will be available for shooters. All spent brass will be picked up after shooting; 4\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT 5. All users will strictly adhere to the range safety rules. E. Safety Procedures and Range Rules All safety procedures and range rules will