Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
K-6: Patrol Rifle Program
Effective Date: 6 Mar 24 Evaluation Coordinator: Patrol Rifle Program Instructor Staff
DEPARTMENT RIFLES
The purpose of this order is to set forth Depa rtment policy and proce dures to regulate the
field deployment of Department Rifles a nd memorialization of their deployment; and
establish selection, certif ication, and training protocols for Patrol Rifles issued to field
officers within the Patrol Rifle Program (PRP).
I. VALUE STATEMENT
Recognizing officers are not normally equipped to safely ad dress threats from persons
wearing body armor, are at distances beyond the effectiv e range of standard-issue
pistols and shotguns, and encounter subj ects armed with vari ous firearms, the
Department has implemented specially-trained Patrol Ri fle Officers (PRO) who, along
with qualified Tactical Operations Team members, may deploy rifles to enhance
officer and public safety. The field deploymen t of any rifle shall be in accordance with
the core values and mission of the Oakland Police Department.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Department Rifle
The collective term for either a Pa trol or Tactical Team Rifle.
B. Patrol Rifle
1. The department Patrol Rifle sh all be an AR-15 semi-automatic
carbine, utilizing .223 ca liber/5.56 mm ammunition.
a. The present Patrol Rifle is the Colt LE6920 Rifle
b. New or replacement Patrol Rifl es shall be approved by the
Patrol Rifle Program Instruct or Staff, and pass requisite
departmental approval be fore implementation.
C. Tactical Team Rifles
Members of the Entry and Sniper elemen ts of the Tactical Operations Team
utilize either AR or manual bolt action rifles.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT K-6 Effective Date:
6 Mar 24
Page 2 of 17
1. The Tactical Team AR Rifle, as utilized by Entry and Sniper Team
members, shall be an AR-15 semi -automatic carbine, utilizing .223
caliber/5.56 mm ammunition.
a. The present Tactical Team AR Rifles are the BCM CQB
MCMR 11 Rifle, the Novesk e N4 Rifle, and the Colt
LE6920 Rifle.
b. New or replacement Tactical Team AR Rifles shall be
approved by the Entry/Sniper Tactical Team Leaders, and pass requisite departmental a pproval before implementation.
2. The Sniper Rifle shall be either a manual bolt-action rifle or AR-10
semi-automatic carbine, utilizi ng .308 Winchester ammunition.
a. The present Sniper Rifles are the GA Precision Bolt Action
.308 Win Rifle and the Seekins Precision SP10 AR-10.
b. New or replacement Sniper Rifles shall be approved by the
Sniper Team Leaders, and pass requisite departmental approval before implementation.
3. Entry and Sniper Team members may utilize priv ately-owned AR-
15 carbine rifles, or manual bolt- action or AR-10 Sniper Rifles
(Sniper Team members only).
a. Privately-owned rifles shall be approved for use by the
operator’s respective Tactical Team Leader(s).
b. Operators utilizing a privately-owned rifle must pass the
current team marksmanship qualification before deploying
with the rifle in the field.
c. Privately-owned rifles used in place of Department Rifles
shall be subject to this order and all related orders in the same fashion as Department Rifl es. References in this order
to Department Rifles categor ically include authorized
privately-owned rifles.
D. Patrol Rifle Program (P RP) Instructor Staff
Certified firearms instructors res ponsible for coordinating and providing
selection and training for Patrol Rifle Officers in the Patrol Rifle Program,
and collecting and reporting requisite st atistics and data as required by the
department.
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT K-6 Effective Date:
6 Mar 24
Page 3 of 17
E. Patrol Rifle Officer (PRO)
An officer that has successfully co mpleted the selection and training
process described in this order that has been issued a Patrol Rifle and is current on all training and qualifications set by the PRP Instructor Staff.
III. POLICY
A. Only PROs and Entry and Sniper Team members shall be authorized to
deploy Department Rifles (Patrol Rifle, Tactical Team AR Rifle, or Sniper
Rifle) per section IX of this order.
B. Discharge and/or deployment of a Depa rtment Rifle shall be in accordance
with the provisions of Department al General Order K-3, USE OF FORCE
or K-5, TACTICAL OPERATIONS TEA M, as applicable. Officers
discharging a rifle must be able to articulate clearl y the reasons for the use
of lethal force, including whether the officer’s life or the lives of others
were in immediate peril and if th ere was no reasonable alternative.
C. Discharge and/or deployment of a De partment Rifle shall be reported in
accordance with the provisions of Departmental General Order K-4,
REPORTING AND INVESTIGATING THE USE OF FORCE or K-5,
TACTICAL OPERATIONS TEAM, as applicable.
D. To ensure members of the Patrol Rifle Program maintain skill levels
required by the Department, PROs shall successfully complete an initial
Departmental training course, and additional training as determined by the PRP Instructor Staff (see section XIV).
E. Entry and Sniper Team members shall be required to complete a respective
Tactical Operations Entry or Sniper Sc hool, along with requ isite training as
determined by the respective elem ent’s Tactical Team Leaders.
IV. PATROL RIFLE PROGRAM ORGANIZATION