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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/07/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Patrol Rifles - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Patrol Rifles 416.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE In order to more effectively and accurately address the increasing level of fire power and body armor utilized by criminal suspects, the Santa Monica Police Department will make patrol rifles available to qualified patrol officers as an additional and more immediate tactical resource. 416.2 PATROL RIFLE DEFINITION A patrol rifle is an authorized weapon which is owned by the Department and which is made available to properly trained and qualified officers as a supplemental resource to their duty handgun or shotgun. No perso nally owned rifles may be carried for patrol duty unless pre - approved in writing by the Chief of Police and the Department armorer. 416.3 SPECIFICATIONS Only weapons and ammunition that meet agency authorized specifications, approved by the Chief of Police, an d issued by the Department may be used by officers in their law enforcement responsibilities. The authorized patrol rifle issued by the Department is a semi -automatic rifle in .223 caliber or 300 AAC . 416.4 RIFLE MAINTENANCE (a) Primary responsibility for maintenan ce of patrol rifles shall fall on the Rangemaster, who shall inspect and service each patrol rifle on a monthly basis. (b) Each patrol officer carrying a patrol rifle may be required to field strip and clean an assigned patrol rifle as needed. (c) Each patrol offi cer shall be responsible for promptly reporting any damage or malfunction of an assigned patrol rifle. (d) Any patrol rifle found to be unserviceable shall be removed from service. The rifle shall be clearly labeled as "out of service" and details regarding the weapon's condition shall be included on the label. (e) Each patrol rifle shall be subject to inspection by a supervisor or the Rangemaster at any time. (f) No modification shall be made to any patrol rifle without prior written authorization from the Rangema ster. 416.5 TRAINING Officers shall not carry or utilize the patrol rifle unless they have successfully completed Departmental training. This training shall consist of an initial 16-hour patrol rifle user's course andPolicy 416 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/07/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Patrol Rifles - 2 Santa Monica Poli ce Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Patrol Rifles qualification score with a certified patrol rifle instructor. Officers shall thereafter be required to successfully complete training and qualification conducted by a certified patrol rifle instructor. Any officer who fails to qualify or who fails to successfully complete two or more Department sanctioned training/qualification sessions within a calendar year will no longer be a uthorized to carry the patrol rifle without successfully retaking the initial patrol officers user's course and qualification. 416.6 PATROL RIFLE INSPECTION Officers shall complete an inspection of the Department patrol rifle before going in -service. The inspection shall be completed outside of the police vehicle, with the muzzle inserted into one of the wall mounted bullet traps inside of the police parking structure. The inspection call consist of the following: (a) Clear the rifle by removing it from the rif le rack, with the muzzle pointed up; ensure the safety selector is in the safe position. (b) Remove any magazine from the magazine well. (c) Place the muzzle into a bullet trap; lock the bolt to the rear. (d) Visually and physically inspect for an empty chamber. (e) Close the bolt and cycle the charging handle several times. (f) Depress the trigger to ensure the safety functions. (g) Place selector to fire position. (h) Depress the trigger, listen for solid movement of parts and hold the trigger back. If movement of parts sounds weak, not normal, or rifle does not fire, tag the rifle as "out of service" and notify the Rangemaster. (i) Holding the trigger back, cycle the charging handle and release the trigger. Listen for the reset. (j) Depress the trigger again to ensure the rifle will fire. (k) Cycle the charging handle and place the selector to the safe position. (l) Lock the rifle into the vehicle rack and insert issued magazine. 416.7 DEPLOYMENT OF THE PATROL RIFLE Officers may deploy the patrol rifle in any circumstance where the officer can articulat e a reasonable expectation that the rifle may be needed. Examples of some general guidelines for deploying the patrol rifle may include, but are not limited to: (a) Situations where the officer reasonably anticipates an armed encounter. (b) When a sworn officer is faced with a situation that may require the delivery of accurate and effective fire at long range. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/07/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Patrol Rifles - 3 Santa Monica Poli ce Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Patrol Rifles (c) Situations where a sworn officer reasonably expects the need to meet or exceed a suspect's firepower. (d) When a sworn officer reasonably believes that there may be a need to deliver fire on a barricaded suspect or a suspect with a hostage. (e) When a sworn officer reasonably believes that a susp ect may be wearing body