Policy Text
Airport Bureau Appendix A 202/01 (Rev 3/20)
Airport Bureau Safes, Tactical Weapons and Equipment
I. Purpose and Scope
The Sacramento Sheriff's Department recognizes the potential for airport
deputies to be placed at a substantial disadvantage by criminal elements that
may be armed with superior firearms and other dangerous weapons/explosives.
These situations may preclude or limit the safe use of a deputy’s sidearm to
effectively defend themselves an d the public. In the initial phase of certain
critical , life-threatening situations, the immediate resource of superior weaponry
by selected uniformed deputies may be paramount to saving lives and/or
achieving containment until specialized/tactical person nel can deploy. The
periodic deployment of rifles will serve as a protective measure and potentially
discourage a violent criminal attack against the airport. Airport safety and
integrity necessitates the accountability and secure storage of tactical wea pons
and equipment.
II. Storage and Inventory
A. Storage
1. Law Enforcement Rifles and Less Lethal Shotguns will be secured in
Airport Bureau safes or vehicle weapon racks when not actively deployed.
2. Law Enforcement Rifles and Less Lethal Shotguns will be stored with the
bolt closed on an empty chamber, safety on, and the magazine or tube
fully loaded with the appropriate ammunition issued by the Department.
B. Inventory
1. Daily
a. Each rifle and sho tgun will be visually inspected once per shift for
accountability. This visual inspection should take place at the
beginning portion of the officer’s shift or as soon as reasonably
possible .
Airport Bureau Appendix A 202/01 (Rev 3/20)
b. Safe inventory will include the presence of the following ite ms:
Weapons
Less Lethal Shotgun ammunition
Knox key
Shield
Tactical helmets
Readiness bags
2. Monthly
a. At the beginning of each month, a function check of the Law
Enforcement Rifle (LER) and Less Lethal Shotgun will be
completed by an LER qualified, nightshift supervisor or their LER
qualified designee.
b. Function checks will be performed safely and discretely to prevent
unnecessary appr ehension or panic by the travel ing public or other
employees. A clearing station will be used.
c. Inspect ions performed in January and July will include a battery
replacement for rifle optics and safe locks.
3. Annual
a. During the first qualification period of the year, Airport Bureau rifles
and shotguns will be taken to the range to ensure proper function
and satisfy annual Range inventory requirements.
4. Documentation
a. The inspecting deputy will record the inspection in the appropriate
safe logbook by providing the date, time, shift, their name/badge
number , and articulate the details of the inspection, repair,
qualification or task completed.
b. Rifles and shotguns maintained in vehicles will be inspected daily
and a log entry made in the deputy’s daily activity log, a minimum of
once per shift, and during the mobile portion of the deputy’s shift.
Airport Bureau Appendix A 202/01 (Rev 3/20)
III. Law Enforcement Rifle (LER) Team Deployment
A. The Airport Bureau expects LER qualified deputies to conduct high visibility
LER team deployments . Deployments will be conducted for short durations at
frequent, yet random, times. All sworn Airport Bureau p ersonnel may serve
as a cover officer for LER deployments. LER team deployments will adhere
to the following:
1. The LER team should consist of at least two uniformed deputies; one
LER officer , and one cover officer.
2. The rifle will be carried with the bolt closed on an empty chamber ,
selector switch on SAFE, and a loaded magazine inserted into the
magazine well.
3. The LER officer should maintain positive physical control of the rifle,
combined with the use of an approved tactical sling. The rifle wi ll always
be held in a safe direction while being mindful, to prevent unauthorized
access to the rifle.
4. Deputies should respond to calls for service during LER deployments and
may terminate the deployment when necessary.
5. Primary locations for deployment will include the TSA security checkpoint
and nonsterile areas , baggage claim, ticket counters, curbs, large
gatherings, or as directed by a supervisor.
6. The requirements, as mentioned above, are for planned deployments and
are not necessary for the emergency deployment of the LER.
B. The shift supervisor and Airport Communications Center will be advised via
telephone before LER deployment , and clear ed upon conclusion by either
radio or phone.
IV. Tactical Bags
Each safe will contain two tactical readiness bag s, one designated for LER and
one for handgun s. Bags will be sealed with a plastic breakaway seal, to ensure
the contents are intact. If the seal is broken , the kit will be inspected , and any
missing items will be replaced . The contents of the bags are listed on inventory
cards located inside each safe. (Appendix A)
Airport Bureau Appendix A 202/01 (Rev 3/20) Appendices: Appendix A – Tactical Safe Inventory form
Related Orders: G.O. 2/01 - Authorized Firearms and Ammunitions
G.O. 2/02 - Firearms Tra ining and Qualifications
G.O. 2/03 - Firearms Training & Qualification Special Weapon
Training
G.O. 2/05 - Use of Firearms
G.O. 2/15 - Less Lethal Force Weapons