Policy Text
GENERAL ORDER #12.01 1 (HIGH LIABILITY)
FIREARM ISSUANCE AND TRAINING
GENERAL ORDER #1 2.01
Adopted: 12/01/2016 Updated: 6/10/2022 Replaces: G.O. #12.01 dated 12/01/2016 Reviewed: 6/10/2022
Number of Pages: 15 Distribution: Unrestricted
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POLICY
This policy provides guidelines for issuing firearms, the safe and legal carrying of firearms, firearms maintenance, and firearms training . The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office will equip
its members with firearms to address the risks posed to the public and office members by violent and sometimes well-armed persons. The Office will ensure firearms are appropriate and in good working order and that relevant training is provided as resources allow.
PROCEDURE
A. AUTHORIZED FIREARM S, AMMUNITION AND OTHER WEAPONS
Sheriff’s badge personnel, while on duty, shall only carry firearms and ammunition that have
been issued to them by the Sheriff’s Office or authorized by this order as a secondary backup firearm. Deputies shall only use firearms that are issued or approved and have been thoroughly
inspected by the Rangemaster. Except in an emergency or as directed by a supervisor, no firearm shall be carried by a deputy who has not qualified with that firearm.
No modifications shall be made to the issued firearms or magazines without the approval of the Rangemaster and the Training and Professional Development Captain. All armorer work will be performed by the Sheriff’s Office Range staff only. Any exception to this order must have prior written approval from the Training and Professional Development Captain. No badge personnel shall use any firearm without receiving adequate
training as determined by the Rangemaster.
GENERAL ORDER #12.01 2 (HIGH LIABILITY)
A-1. HANDGUNS
The standard duty firearm issued to all qualified badge personnel is the Glock, Model 17, 9mm caliber handgun. Those personnel assigned to an undercover or plain clothes enforcement
assignment may request to be issued a Glock, Model 26, 9mm caliber handgun for use. All such requests will be forwarded to the Training and Professional Development Captain for approval. When an employee is transferred out of an undercover or plain clothes enforcement assignment, the Glock Model 26 shall be returned to the Sheriff’s Range. Failure to return a firearm as directed by this order may result in corrective action up to and including formal disciplinary action.
A-2. SHOTGUNS
The authorized office-issued shotgun is the Mossberg 590A1, 12 gauge. Shotguns assigned to
the Patrol Division s will be assigned to each vehicle and shall be stored in the vehicle’s
locked shotgun rack or the divisions’ firearm locker. When the shotgun is not in use and
being stored, the shotgun shall be unloaded, with the action open (except for storage in a shotgun rack that requires the action to be closed) and the safety on. All other divisions will
store the shotguns in division designated lockable storage areas or racks. Deputies shall inspect and load the shotgun at the beginning of each shift and unload it at the
end of each shift. The standard loading process for the short-barreled shotguns will be to insert four rounds of 00 buckshot into the magazine and four slug rounds into the stock or sidesaddle. No rounds will be chambered until the weapon is ready for deployment. Shotguns shall only be loaded or unloaded when pointed in a safe direction.
A-3. RIFLES
The authorized standard- issued rifle is the Colt AR -15, .223. Rifles will be assigned to deputi es
who have completed a Sheriff’s Office POST certified patrol rifle course and are currently
assigned to a patrol division or enforcement division with a field assignment as authorized by the Division Commander. The assigned rifle shall be maintained by the individual deputy who
the weapon is assigned to. Deputies shall inspect and load the rifle at the beginning of each shift and unload it at the end
of each s hift. No ammunition will be loaded into the chamber until the rifle is ready for
deployment. Rifles shall only be loaded or unloaded when pointed in a safe direction.
Deputies assigned a rifle and assigned to a Patrol Division will be required to have the weapon
in their patrol vehicle each shift, locked in the proper weapon mount. Deputies who are
assigned a rifle while assigned to any division other than a Patrol Division will b e required to
GENERAL ORDER #12.01 3 (HIGH LIABILITY) have the weapon locked in a secure area within their division where it can be made available if needed.
When the rifle is not in use, employees will keep their assigned rifle unloaded and secured in
an area within their assigned di vision that has been designated as a storage area for rifles or
locked in their assigned locker within their assigned division. Supervisor approval shall be required to take a rifle home in preparation for, during or after an approved training course.
When not secured in a Sheriff’s Office approved location, the rifle shall be stored in a DOJ
certified safe.
Deputies shall properly store and secure the rifle in any vehicle used to transport the weapon
to and from thei r residence and /or training class when approved to have possession of the
rifle for authorized training. Deputies should make every effort to travel directly to their
residence and/or training course while transporting the rifle .
Deputies who are issued a rifle will be required to complete the firearms qualification bi-
annually. Deputies may deploy a rifle in any circumstance where the deputy can articulate a reasonable