Policy Text
Page 1 of 17 - General Order 1-7 (05/11 /23)
POLICE WEAPONS
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: POLICE WEAPONS
Chapter
1 Number
7 # Pages
17
References:
CALEA : 1.2.2, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.3.1 a-f, 4.3.2, 4.3.3a -
c, 4.3.4, 17.5.2
VA Code: § 15.2 -1704
Related Orders:
01-05, 01 -08, 01-21, 04-04
Effect ive Date : 05/11 /2023
Revised By: Review
Prv. Rev. Date: 09/12/19
Chief of Police:
I. PURPOSE
Virginia Code § 15.2 -1704 charges a locality’s police force with preventing and
detecting crime, apprehending criminals, safeguarding life and property, p reserving
peace, and enforcing state and local laws, regulations , and ordinances. Furthermore,
City of Richmond Code § 2 -271, charges the city’s police force with administering
and operating the city’s emergency communications center. Inherently, police fo rces
are equipped with weapons to assist, when necessary, to execute its responsibilities
successfully . [CALEA 1.2.2]
The purpose of this directive is to esta blish the policy and procedure for the issuance,
care, and maintenance of issued and non -issued police weapons and to establish
guidelines for wearing weapons during the City of Richmond’s Perso nnel Board
Hearin gs and other related situations. All authori zed personnel will review this policy
and be given instruct ions in this directive before carrying any issued or non -issued
police weapons. [CALEA 4.3.4 ]
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This policy is due for review . Department qualifi cations changed fro m bi-annual to
annual . It also authorizes all Officers/Detectives to utilize weapon -mounted lights in
an off -duty capacity . The SWAT Team members have the authorization to carry
handguns equipped with miniature red dot sights for duty. The legal authority to
carry and use weapons by law enforcement officers in performing their duties has
been defined. The specific changes are noted in bold italicized text throughout the
document.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department to ensure t hat members use only
Department -issued/ authorized weapons. It is also the policy of the Department to
provide the proper guidelines to its members for the wearing of weapons to the City
of Richmond’s Personnel Board Hearings and the Department’s Internal Review
Page 2 of 17 - General Order 1 -7 (05/11/23)
POLICE WEAPONS Boards meetings. Richmond Police Officers must receive training and demonstrate
proficiency, monitored by a certified weapons instructor in using all issued/authorized
weapons before carrying them.
[CALEA 4.3.2, 4.3.3a]
NOTE: For Secondary/Off-Duty weapons, Officers shall receive training on the safe
use and qualify with the firearm.
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines
outlined in this General Order. Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to
ensure that policy violations are investigated and appropriate training, counseling,
and/or disciplinary action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee’s civil
liability in any way. It should not be construed as creati ng a higher standard of safety
or care in an evidentiary sense concerning third-party claims. Violation of this
directive, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by this Department and
then only in a non-judicial administrative setting.
V. DEFINITIONS
A. PRIMARY SERVICE WEAPON – The Department -issued
weapon is carried and employed as the primary weapon when on-
duty or working off-duty in a police-related capacity.
B. SECONDARY WEAPON/OFF-DUTY – A personally owned handgun that an
officer carries on duty as a back-up weapon and/or off-duty for personal
protection.
C. FUNDAMENTAL RULES OF FIREARM SAFETY – Officers must always
adhere to the following basic firearms safety rules:
a) Treat all weapons as if they are loaded and know the ir status.
b) Do not sweep the muzzle past anything you do not intend to shoot. During
loading and unloading procedures, Officers will make sure the weapon is
pointed in a safe direction.
c) A finger will remain off the trigger until the weapon is pointed at the target and
the Officer consciously decides to engage the target.
d) Know what your target is and what is beyond it. Also, know what is to your left,
right, and rear.
Page 3 of 17 - General Order 1 -7 (05/11/23)
POLICE WEAPONS VI. PROCEDURE
A. Handguns:
1. The Richmond Police Department has selected the
as the Department ’s service weapon. [CALEA 4.3.1 a]
2. The authorized on-duty handgun ammunition is
. [CALEA 4.3.1 b]
3. The Department member to whom the weapon is issued is responsible for
its care, cleaning, and operational readiness at all times. Officers are NOT