doc_1835956

WINDERMERE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines governing the use of authorized firearms carried by members of the Windermere Police Department and to ensure they are properly trained in their use. 2. Policy It shall be the policy of the Windermere Police Department that all sworn members be properly trained and demonstrate competent profici ency in the use of firearms . Only agency approved firearms and ammunition are authorized in the performance of duty. 3. Defini tions A. Authorized Member – Those personnel authorized to carry and us e firearms in the line of duty. B. Firearms Training – A course that includes weapons familiarization and mandatory annual firearms qualifications on an agency approved course. C. Mandatory Training – Training required by Federal or State guidelines and / or the agency. D. Off-Duty – The period of time when the agency is not paying the officer. Effective Date: September 25, 2024  Rescinds  Amends 8.5 (November 13 , 2023) Number: 8.5 SUBJECT : Police Firearms Print Date: 09/25/24 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month : August 8.5, Page 2 E. Primary Firearm – The 9mm semi -automatic pistol issued to all authorized officers by the agency. F. Secondary Firearm – Any firearm, other than the primary firearm, issued or approved by the Chief of Police for use while on or off duty. G. Sworn Member – Sworn law enforcement officers of the Windermere Police Department. 4. Procedures A. The carrying of firearms while on duty is restricted to authorized personnel who have successfully completed the basic training as required under the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC) regulations and who have maintained the required proficiency through in -service training. [4.05M -(A)] [4.05M -(C)] B. While on duty, authorized personnel shall carry their issued firearms in the following manner: [4.05M -(A)] 1. Handgun – Uniformed sworn personnel shall carry their primary firearm in an agency issued holster on their duty belt. Plain clothes sworn personnel shall carry their primary firearm in a manner approved by the Chief of Police, e.g. holster on belt, shoulder rig, etc. 2. Rifle – Shall be carried in their agency vehicle in a department approved and installed long gun rack. a. Uniformed and pla in clothes sworn personnel shall carry a minimum of two (2) fully loaded rifle magazines, each with twenty - eight (28) rounds, in addition to one (1) magazine seated in the rifle with the bolt forward, the weapon on safe, and no round in the chamber. b. The issued rifle shall be immediately available for deployment and carried when responding to calls where firearms have been reported or at the dis cretion of the officer. 3. Shotgun – shall be carried in their agency vehicle in a department approved and installed long gun rack. a. Uniformed and plain clothes sworn personnel shall carry a minimum of four (4) rounds in the magazine tube and six (6) rounds on the side saddle with the bolt forward, the weapon on safe, and no round in the chamber. 8.5, Page 3 C. Inspections [4.12M( B)] 1. All firearms shall be inspected and approved by a qualified firearms instructor or certified Armorer prior to carrying. 2. In addition, all authorized members shall submit their firearm to safety inspections upon request by a supervisor, firearms instructor, Armorer, or the Professional Standards Detective or designee. 3. All department -issued firearms shall be inspected by an Armorer at least once each calendar year. D. Damages or Repairs 1. The proper care of firearms issued to an officer is the responsibility of the officer to whom they are assigned. A firearm lost, stolen or damaged in the line of duty shall be repaired or replaced by the department unless the officer was found to be negligent in the care of the firearm. 2. Negligence may result in replacement costs and/or disciplinary action up to and including termination. 3. Any damages or repairs should be reported and completed by the Armorer. E. Firearms Qualification s 1. All authorized officers are required to qualif y with all department -issued firearms and ammunition , for which they will carry, prior to carrying or use, as well as annual proficiency as required by the department or other authority. 2. Officers should be allowed no more than two (2) attempts to qualif y on the same day unless circumstances dictate otherwise as decided by the senior firearms instructor present. F. Retired Sworn Members Qualification and Range Use 1. Retired sworn members who wish to obtain a HR 218 card will be required to qualify on an annual basis. The retiree shall be responsible for keeping his/her annual firearms qualification current. 2. Only a Windermere Police Department CJSTC/FDLE Certified firearms instructor will perform the training. The Win dermere Police Department will qualify eligible retirees and issue a Firearms Proficiency Verification Card (FPVC, CJSTC -600 Form). The Windermere Police Department will not issue a FPVC