ii-45FirearmsRange

1 (03/12 /2019) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Subject: FIREARMS RANGE Index as: Firearms Instructor Police Training Center Range Operator Firearms Range Range Master Accreditation Standards: 4.3.5 Cross Reference: GO II -20, Weapons Qualification GO II -43, Lethal and Less -Lethal Weapons Replaces: NEW POLICY This Order consists of the following: I. Purpose II. Definitions III. General Procedures IV. Persons Authorized t o Use t he Firearms Range V. Weapons, Ammunition, a nd Targets VI. Required Safety Equipment VII. Vehicles on t he Rang e VIII. Off-Site Ranges IX. Cleaning a nd Maintenance X. Ammunition a nd Weapon Storage I. PURPOSE A. To establish procedures and responsibilities for the care, maintenance, and safe operation of the Police Training Center Firearms Range as well as off -site ranges used by the Department. B. The Training Division will perform the Department’s responsibilities with regard to the firearms range. II. DEFINITIONS A. Department Range Maste r – An Officer assigned to the High Liability Training Unit who is assigned primary responsibility for the upkeep, supply, and day -to-day operation of the firearms r ange. The Department Range Master shall be a CJSTC ce rtified firearms instructor who; has received additional training in the safe operation of the Department’s firearms range, who is competent in all systems related to the operation of the f irearms range and is capable of supervisi ng safe range operations at off -site ranges used by the Department. B. Firearms Instructor – A CJSTC certified firearms instructor or an instructor certified by another competent governing body and approved by the High Liability Training Sergeant. This defin ition includes qualified members of the Department as well as members of other law enforcement or government organizations who may be authorized to conduct training events at the firearms range. DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER March 2019 Immediately II-45 Distribution: All Employees General Order II-45 2 (03/12 /2019 ) C. Range Operator – An O fficer approved by the High Liability Training Sergeant who is qualified to safely supervise the operation of the Firearms Range in the absence of the Department Range Master. A Range Operator shall be a CJSTC certified firearms instructor who; has received additional training in the safe oper ation of the Department’s firearms range, who is competent in all systems related to the operation of the firearms range and is capable of supervising safe range operations at off -site ranges used by the Department. III. GENERAL PROCEDURES A. The Firearms Range is under the control of the High Liability Training Unit reporting to the Commander, Training Division. B. The Training Sergeant will appoint a designed Range Master as the Department’s primary representative at the facility. C. The Departme nt’s Range Master(s) will report to the Training Sergeant . D. The Department Range Master is responsible for the daily operations of the Firearms Range including supp ly, maintenance, scheduling , and reporting any issues to the High Liability Training Sergeant. E. The Training Division will maintain a list of approved Range Master(s) and Range Operators . F. The firearms range shall only be operated under the dir ect supervision of a Department -approved Range Master or Range Operator . The Department Range Master or a Range Operator shall be on -site during any use of the Firearms Range. The Range Master or Operator w ill supervise the operation of any range activities and will have final authority over the sa fe conduct of any Firearms Instructors and other persons using the range. G. All users of the firearms range will adhere to the universal rules of firearms safety, as well as all other posted rules and procedures, and will follow all instructions given by firearms instructors, range operators , and the range master. The range rules shall be posted at the entrance to the firearms range and a safety briefing of these rules shall be conducted prior to any use of the ra nge. (see A ttachment A f or current list of range rules) . H. Any accidental discharges of firearms shall be immediately reported to the Department Range Master or the Hi gh Liability Training Sergeant. IV. PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO USE THE FIREARMS RANGE A. Sworn members of the Department may use the Firearms Range for training and practice. B. Sworn officers of other agencies and retired law enforcement officers may use the Firearms Range for training and practice after approval from the High Liability Training Sergeant. 1. A hold -harmless agreement must be completed by such persons prior to using the range unless participating in an on -duty official training event for which their employing agency has entered into an agreement with the Department . C. Members of other governmental organizations , such as corrections, mil itary, and federal law enforcement, may use the Firearms Range for training and practice after approval from the Hi gh Liability Training Sergeant. 1. A hold -harmless agreement must be completed by such persons prior to using the range unless participating in an on -duty official training even t for which their employing agency has en tered into an agreement with the Department. D. Non-sworn Department employees or family members of employees during certain times designat ed for that purpose after approval from the High Liability Training Sergeant. 1. A hold -harmless agreement must be completed by all non -employees prior to using the range. General Order II