68916728.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER: G - 51 GENERAL ORDER RESCINDS: SUBJECT: Weapons Policy EFFECTIVE: November 14, 1994 REVISED: November 26, 2025 Table of Contents: I. Purpose II. Scope III. General IV. Security of Weapons V. Authority to Carry Defensive Weapons VI. Issuing and Records of Defensive Weapons VII. Disarmament VIII. Authorized Firearms and Accessories IX. Firearm Maintenance X. Inspection XI. Oleoresin Capsicum Spray XII. Baton XIII. Impact Munitions XIV. Halt Dog Repellant XV. Negligent & Accidental Discharge of a Firearm XVI. Discharge of a Firearm During Formal Weapons Training XVII. Flying While Armed I. PURPOSE: This directive provides procedures for the issue, care, and deployment of lethal and less-lethal weapons except for the Taser, addressed in a separate directive. It also addresses Halt Dog Repellant by Field Service Specialists, Civil Process Specialists, Code Enforcement Officers, Seminole County Probation Officers and Victim Advocates. For purposes of this directive, the titles Deputy, Deputy Sheriff, Detention Deputy, and Court Security Deputy (collectively “Deputies”) are used synonymously. II. SCOPE: A. The lethal and less-lethal defensive weapons and ammunition described in this directive are the only weapons and ammunition authorized by Sheriff’s Office personnel in their official law enforcement capacity, whether on or off duty. The use of issued weapons for recreational purposes is prohibited (this does not apply to weapons used in authorized law enforcement competitions). B. As used in this directive, the term Armorer refers to the official Sheriff’s Office Armorer(s) as authorized by the Captain of the Professional Development Division (hereafter Professional Development), or the Captain of the Special Services Division. GENERAL ORDER Weapons Policy G - 51 PAGE 1 OF 26\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nIII. GENERAL: A. Only that degree of response to resistance necessary to accomplish lawful objectives is authorized for self-defense, defense of another, to overcome physical resistance to arrest, or to prevent the escape of an arrested person. B. Only Deputies demonstrating proficiency with authorized weapons and civilians, authorized and demonstrating proficiency with an Individual Protective Device (hereafter referred to as IPD), are permitted to carry them. C. Deputies carrying any weapon pursuant to their authority as a law enforcement officer when not in uniform will keep their weapons hidden from public view unless engaged in a law enforcement action. D. Weapons are not used in a careless manner, including reckless intimidation. E. Lethal and less-lethal defensive weapons will be used consistent with training. F. Deputies involved in the negligent or unintentional discharge of a lethal weapon must be re-qualified by a firearms instructor before returning to duty. Carrying a weapon is a requirement of the job assignment. G. Deputies who suffer illness or injury that may affect the ability to use a weapon may be required to re- qualify with their weapon before returning to duty. H. For the purpose of this general order and related general orders, “Annual Training” refers to a requirement that it must be completed every twelve (12) months. I. The Professional Development Division is authorized to test, evaluate, demonstrate, and carry, in or during a training setting, weapons, ammunition and equipment not yet authorized for all members. IV. SECURITY OF WEAPONS: A. All weapons, including ammunition magazines, knives that could be used as a weapon, expandable batons, and oleoresin capsicum spray, will be secured in provided lockers or within a vehicle's trunk before Deputies enter the controlled and secured area of: 1. Correctional facilities (jails), 2. Holding cells at the Seminole County Courthouses, 3. Holding cells and secured interview rooms in the Criminal Investigations Division, 4. Juvenile Assessment Centers and, 5. Mental health facilities. NOTE: Exceptions may be made during emergencies involving hostages, barricaded suspects, and public order events. However, Deputies may enter these secured facilities only upon the commanding officer's approval in charge of the scene. B. On or off duty, Deputies are responsible for the security of their weapons. Firearms and other weapons will be kept safely secured to prevent access by juveniles or another unauthorized person. When storing agency-issued or approved weapons: 1. Secure firearms with a trigger lock. a. The Sheriff's Office provides trigger locks for all issued firearms. b. At their own expense, Deputies provide trigger locks to secure personally owned firearms approved by the Sheriff's Office as line of duty weapons, off duty weapons, or secondary weapons. GENERAL ORDER Weapons Policy G - 51 PAGE 2 OF 26\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\n2. Issued less-lethal weapons will be stored at locations where they are not accessible to juveniles or other unauthorized persons. NOTE: If Deputies have a key or combination-controlled area to store weapons, and if they use this area to secure weapons, the use of trigger locks is optional. C. Issued firearms are surrendered to the Armorer before an employee goes on an extended leave of more than seven calendar days unless the firearm is taken on leave in accordance with the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004. D. Firearms and weapons must be adequately secured to prevent theft or unauthorized access, as noted below: 1. When an employee is off-duty and not operating the vehicle, firearms and weapons must be removed from the occupant compartments of Sheriff's Office vehicles unless they are properly stored and secured in an agency-mounted/installed and locked vehicle gun vault or securely stored in the trunk. 2. When vehicles are left unattended at a repair or maintenance facility, all weapons and firearms must be removed from the vehicle and properly secured. V. AUTHORITY TO CARRY DEFENSIVE WEAPONS: A. Deputies are authorized to carry and use approved weapons subject to the following: 1. They must have demonstrated proficiency in the use of a weapon. 2. Deputies who have completed the Sheriff’s Office Field Training Program and are authorized for solo duty status are authorized to carry approved weapons while on or off duty in accordance with Sections 790.051 and 790.052, Florida Statutes. 3. Deputies who have not completed the Field Training Program and are not authorized for solo duty status can carry agency-issued weapons only while on duty. 4. Deputies in training may be authorized to carry weapons for purposes such as graduations and swearing in ceremonies with the approval of the Captain of the Professional Development Division B. Only approved weapons may be carried by personnel within the scope or course of their official duties or when acting at any time under color of law or carried within their assigned vehicle. Exceptions are allowed when weapons are being transported as evidence or when weapons meeting the criteria of this directive are transported to the Armorer for approval before firing range qualification. C. Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (Chapter 44 of Title 18 Section 926 United States Code): 1. Deputies having the authority from the Sheriff to carry weapons and enforce the laws of the state may carry concealed firearms within the United States. Deputies are required to carry their official Sheriff’s Office identification credentials whenever carrying a firearm pursuant to this authority. 2. In accordance with the Act: a. Concealed weapons are not permitted on private property when prohibited by the owners or on State or Local government property, installation, building, base or park when prohibited by law. GENERAL ORDER Weapons Policy G - 51 PAGE 3 OF 26\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nb. The Deputy may not be the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency. c. The Deputy must meet established Sheriff’s Office standards requiring a qualification in the use of a firearm. d. The D