(A) Policy. Because persons are victims of violent crimes and police officers performing their duties are confronted with deadly force, it will be necessary for police officers to be armed in such a manner as to protect both society and themselves. Therefore, the policy of the Police Department regarding the use of firearms or other deadly force by police officers, whether on or off duty, is that an officer will fire his or her weapon at another person only when lawfully justified; when the need to do so is strong and compelling; and only as a last resort. The following procedures are guidelines to assist police officers in reaching the proper decision when faced with a deadly force situation.
(B) Procedure.
(1) The firearms instructor, with the approval of the Chief of Police, is responsible for coordinating and implementing the firearms training program. The firearms instructor is responsible for announcing in advance when and where training sessions are to occur.
(2) A job-related combat course or courses will be developed by the firearms instructor and, with the approval of the Chief of Police, will be fired for proficiency records. In addition, other courses of fire and classroom lectures may be developed and used for training purposes.
(3) Officers must achieve a 75% proficiency score to maintain a “qualified” status.
(4) Officers who do not qualify on scheduled proficiency dates will be required to shoot the same proficiency course the next day. If the officer fails to qualify on the second day, the firearms instructor will so advise the Chief of Police in writing. The unqualified officer, under the direction of the firearms instructor, with the approval of the Chief of Police, will be instructed and retrained with his or her firearm, with special attention given to the officer’s particular problem area. In the discretion of the firearms instructor, the officer will again shoot the proficiency course. The reinstruct/retrain procedure for unqualified officers who continue to maintain an unqualified status will be repeated as many times as the Chief of Police so authorizes.
(5) If an officer does not properly qualify after several reinstruct/retrain sessions, the firearms instructor will consult directly with the Chief of Police to consider other special training or other appropriate disposition of the employee.
(Prior Code, § 33.69)