Policy Text
Field Services 1 of 2 3/08 (REV 01/07)
Patrol Services Optional Weapon (Rifle)
The purpose of this order is to establish a policy regarding th e use of rifles by selected
patrol services personnel. I. Purpose
The Sacramento Sheriff's Departm ent recognizes that patrol offi cers are
frequently placed at a substantia l disadvantage by criminal ele ments armed with
superior firearms and other danger ous weapons which may preclud e the safe
use of the sidearm or shotgun to e ffectively defend themselves and the public. In
the initial phase of certain c ritical life threatening situatio ns, the immediate
resource of a rifle by select ed uniformed officers may be param ount to saving
lives and/or achieving containmen t until specialized/tactical p ersonnel can
deploy.
II. Policy
A. The use of rifles shall be by uniformed, sworn personnel ass igned to Patrol
Services Division, selected by their Division Commander. Offic ers shall be
selected after demonstrating prof iciency in the use of the Depa rtment issued
.223 (5.56mm) caliber semi-autom atic rifle approved by the Depa rtment
Rangemaster.
B. The use of rifles shall be in accordance with Department Gen eral/Operations
Orders. All rifle equipment and a mmunition shall be issued by the
Department. No scopes will be a llowed unless aut horized by the Department
Rangemaster. The weapon shall be maintained in the rifle rack or in the
issued hard case and secured in the trunk of the patrol vehicle , while on duty.
C. The rifle shall be carried with the cham ber empty, bolt closed, safety on with a
loaded magazine inserted in to the magazine well.
D. The intent of this policy sha ll not preclude the use of S.E. D. The Incident
Commander shall make an immedi ate assessment of need for specia lized
personnel for any situation involv ing a tactical response and/o r specialized
weapons. Officers must advise a supervisor, as soon as possibl e, upon
deployment of the rifle.
Field Services 2 of 2 3/08 (REV 01/07)
III. Selection
Selected officers shall be a fi eld patrol officer and demonstra te maturity as
reflected in performance eval uations. Officers who desire to u tilize rifles shall
first obtain the recommendation o f their immediate supervisors and approval by
their respective Watch Commander . After satisfactory completin g an approved
Basic Rifle Marksmanship course, an officer may be selected as determined by
the Division Commander.
IV. Training
Selected officers shall have sati sfactorily completed an approv ed Basic Rifle
Marksmanship course which incl udes, but not limited to; liabili ty aspects and
weapon proficiency in the authorized firearm as prescribed and administered by
the Department Rangemaster. The authorized firearm shall be th e Department
issued rifle. Selected officers shall maintain a prescribed le vel of proficiency
through continued traini ng and qualifications in order to retai n authorization to
carry a rifle on duty. Refer to General Order 2/02 for qualifi cation requirements.
Any officer who previously successfully completed the Basic Tactical Rifle
course, yet has not had a rifle issued to them for a year or more,(ie: trained while
in Corrections) must attend t he departmentally approved 10 hour Rifle
Refresher Course prior to being issued a Patrol rifle.
In addition, all officers assigned a rifle will attend the departmentally approved 10
hour Rifle Refresher course every two years.
This order is intended as a gui deline in the deployment of rifl es. It does not
dispense with the requirements of General Order 2/05, which mus t exist prior to
the use of deadly force.