This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee's civil liability in any way. The policy should not be construed as creating a higher duty of care, in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party civil claims against employees. A violation of this policy, if proven, can only form the basis of a complaint by the Police Department for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing employee discipline.
(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish standards for members of the Police Department in duty use auxiliary weapon.
(B) Scope. This section will be applicable to all commissioned members of the Police Department.
(C) Authorized rifle. The following rifle is authorized for use in police duties, effective April 28, 2010:
(1) Smith & Wesson M&P15A (MP15 Carbine). The MP15A is a gas operated, air cooled, 5.56 caliber shoulder fired weapon capable of semi-automatic fire and safe-mode by the use of a selector lever.
(2) The configuration of this rifle is limited to:
(a) Semi-automatic trigger assembly;
(b) Sixteen inch barrel;
(c) Eotech holo-sight or holo/reticle sight type;
(d) Forward vertical hand grip;
(e) Sling;
(f) Illumination device;
(g) Thirty round magazine; and
(h) Only Police Department authorized ammunition may be used.
(3) Any configuration beyond the parameters listed is strictly prohibited. The trigger assembly will not be modified beyond the manufacturer's specifications.
(D) Maintenance.
(1) Each officer is responsible for the user-level maintenance of his or her own, or Department issued rifle.
(2) Only certified armorers, or an authorized gunsmith is authorized to perform armorer-level maintenance or repairs on rifles. User level routine maintenance (cleaning) is mandatory and must be performed by the individual officer on a weekly basis.
(3) Weapons, whether personally owned or Department issued are subject to inspection without notice by the Chief of Police or his or her designee.
(4) Only Department authorized cleaning material and solutions will be used on weapons.
(E) Training.
(1) Officers shall not carry or utilize the patrol/tactical rifle unless they have successfully completed Department training. This training shall consist of an initial patrol rifle user's course and qualification with a certified patrol rifle instructor.
(2) Annual certification and monthly training shall be scheduled and monitored by the Range Master.
(3) Training shall consist of proficiency, system familiarization, safety, nomenclature, live fire, dry fire, assembly/disassembly, and maintenance.
(F) Qualification (Rifle Course of Fire - 40 Rounds). Once the officer has been instructed to load the magazine, he or she will then be given a maximum of five minutes to fire the course.
(1) Phase 1: Booth #1 - target distance 21 feet.
(a) This phase may be fired from a supported position, or the standing shoulder position. The officer has the option. The weapon will not be taken off of safe-mode until after the weapon is placed in the shoulder firing position.
(b) Course of fire will be eight rounds:
1. Three rounds within the ten ring;
2. One round within the head;
3. Three rounds within the ten ring; and
4. One round within the head;
(c) The weapon will be returned to safe-mode and the waist carry position. The officer will then move to booth #2.
(2) Phase 2: Booth #2 - Target distance 45 feet.
(a) This phase may be fired from a supported position, or the standing shoulder position, or any other acceptable position. The weapon will not be taken off of safe-mode until after the weapon is in the shoulder firing position.
(b) Course of fire will be 12 rounds:
1. Four rounds within the ten ring;
2. Two rounds within the head;
3. Four rounds within the ten ring; and
4. Two rounds within the head;
(c) The weapon will be returned to safe-mode and the waist carry position. The officer will then move to booth #3.
(3) Phase 3: Booth #3 - Target distance 75 feet.
(a) This phase may be fired from a supported position, or the standing shoulder position, or any other acceptable position. The weapon will not be taken off of safe-mode until after the weapon is in the shoulder firing position.
(b) Course of fire will be 20 rounds:
1. Six rounds within the nine ring;
2. Four rounds within the head;
3. Six rounds within the nine ring; and
4. Four rounds within the head.
(4) Scoring the course.
(a) Due to the anticipated accuracy of the weapon, the qualification minimum score will be 92.5% or 37 of the 40 rounds within the designated target area. (Four or more misses on the target will disqualify the shooter).
(b) Qualification will be recorded as pass or fail.
(G) Security and storage.
(1) When not in use (incident, training, or cleaning) all rifles are to be secured and locked inside a pelican 1700 rifle case, or if available, secured in a squad car rifle rack.
(2) If locked in a pelican case, the pelican case must be locked and secured to a locking mechanism inside the trunk of a patrol sedan or inside the rear portion of a patrol SUV. Officers will be provided with the required locks. The support division will maintain a spare key to each lock.
(3) When not in use the pelican case may be stored inside the individual officer's locker or a Department authorized location. Department issued weapons will remain secured in the Department when the officer is not on duty or attending a Department authorized training.
(4) Personally owned weapons must remain secured from theft or unauthorized use if stored at the officer's residence. Individual officers must provide the Chief of Police a memorandum of how he or she will secure the AR-15 at home, and a description of the locking mechanism that will be utilized.
(H) Patrol ready. Any qualified officer carrying a patrol rifle in the field shall maintain the weapon in the "patrol ready" condition until deployed. A rifle is considered "patrol ready" when it has been inspected by the assigned officer and meets the following conditions:
(1) The chamber is empty;
(2) The rifle bolt is forward with the hammer down;
(3) The rifle safety is on;
(4) There is a fully loaded magazine (27 rounds) in the magazine well; and
(5) The dust cover is closed.
(I) Deployment/use of force.
(1) Officers may deploy the patrol/tactical rifle in any circumstances where the officer can articulate a reasonable expectation that the rifle may be needed. Examples of some general guidelines for deploying the rifle may include, but are not limited to the following:
(a) Situations where the officer reasonably anticipates an armed encounter;
(b) When an officer is faced with a situation that may require the delivery of accurate and effective fire at long range;
(c) Situations where an officer reasonably expects the need to meet or exceed a suspect's firepower;
(d) When the officer reasonably believes that there may be a need to deliver fire on an armed barricaded suspect, or an armed suspect with a hostage;
(e) When an officer reasonably believes that a suspect may be wearing body armor; and/or
(f) When authorized or requested by a supervisor.
(2) The discharge of the patrol/tactical rifle shall be governed by the Police Department's Response to Resistance Policy. Officers shall not deviate from said policy.
(Ord. 10-44, passed 4-28-10)
Statutory reference:
Illinois Police Training Act, see ILCS Ch. 50, Act 705, §§ 1 through 12
Peace Officer Firearm Training Act, see ILCS Ch. 50, Act 710, §§ 0.01 through 5