Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 05/01/201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
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432 - Patrol Ri fles 1 POLICY 432 PATROL RIFLES
432.1 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 Tustin Police Department will make patrol rifles available
to qual ified patrol officers as an additional and more immediate tactical resource. Patrol officers
and supervisors will each be issued a patrol rifle.
432.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This policy pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 1.3.9, 1.3.10, 1.3.11 , 4.3.1
432.2 PATROL RIFLE
432.2.1 DEFINITION
A patrol rifle is an authorized weapon which is owned by the Department and which is made
available or individually issued to properly trained and qualified officers as a supplemental
resource to their duty handgun. No personally owned rifles may be carried for patrol duty unless
pre-approved in writing by the Chief of Police and the department Range Master .
432.3 SPECIFICATIONS
Only weapons and ammunition that meet agency authorized specifications, appro ved by the
Chief of Police and issued by the Department may be used by officers in their law enforcement
responsibilities. The authorized patrol rifle s issued by the Department are the American Defense
Manufacturing Mod 2 and the Colt AR -15 A-2.
432.4 RIFLE MAINTENANCE
a) Primary responsibility for maintenance of patrol rifles shall fall on the Rangemaster , who shall
inspect and service each patrol rifle on a regular 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 officer shall be responsible for promptly reporting any damage or malfunctio n of
an assigned patrol rifle;
d) Any patrol rifles found to be unserviceable shall be removed from service. The rifle shall be
clearl y labeled as “out of service” and details regarding the weapon’s condition shall be
included on the label;
e) Each patrol rifle shall be subjec t to inspection by a supervisor or the Rangemaster at any
time;
f) No modification shall be made to any patrol rifle wi thout prior written authorization from the
Rangemaster .
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 05/01/201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
_________________
432 - Patrol Ri fles 2 432.5 TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION
Officers shall not utilize the patrol rifle unless they h ave successfully completed departmental
training. This training shall consist of an initial patrol rifle us er’s course with a certified range
instructor. Officers shall thereafter be required to successfully complete annual training and
qualification conducted by a certified patrol rifle instructor.
Any officer who fails to qualify or who fails to successfull y complete two or more department
sanctioned training/qualification sessions within a calendar year will no longer b e authorized to
carry the patrol rifle without successfully retaking the initial patrol officer ’s user’s course and
qualification. (See Gen eral Order §312.5 – Firearms Qualifications for further.)
All officers shall comply with all state and federal laws, as well as departmental policies when
using any firearm off duty.
432.6 DEPLOYMENT OF THE PATROL RIFLE
Officers may deploy the patrol rifle in any circumstance where the officer can articulate 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 reasona bly anticipates an armed encounter ;
b) When an officer is faced with a situation that may r equire the delivery of accurate and
effective fire at long range ;
c) Situations w here an officer reasonably expects the need to meet or exceed a suspect’s
firepower ;
d) When an officer reasonably believes that ther e may be a need to deliver fire on a
barricaded suspect or a suspect with a hostage ;
e) When an officer reasonably believes that a suspect may be wearing body armor ;
f) When authorized or requested by a supervisor ;
g) When ne eded to euthanize an animal.
432.7 DISCHARGE OF THE PATROL RIFLE
The discharge of the patrol rifle shall be governed by the D epartment’s Use of Deadly Force
Policy, Policy Manual § 300.
432.8 PATROL READY
Any qualified officer carrying a patrol rifl e in the field shall maintain the weapon in “patrol ready”
status until deployed. A rifle is considered “patrol ready” when it has been inspected by the
assigned officer and meets the following conditions:
a) There is no round in the chamber;
b) The rifle bolt is forward with the hammer down;
c) The rifle is set on “fire”;
d) There is a fully loaded magazine in the rifle with no more than 2 8 rounds;
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
1 01/24/2011 05/01/201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
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432 - Patrol Ri fles 3 e) The rifle is stored in the locked patrol vehicle’s rifle rack or trunk