(A) All members shall become familiar with firearms that are used in performance of duty.
(B) Every member shall qualify with his or her sidearms at least yearly. If a member fails to qualify, he or she will be relieved of duty until able to do so.
(C) All members will also have to show their ability in handling off duty firearms.
(D) The reason a firearm is issued to a member is to extend fatal force beyond one’s reach, and this can only be used when the situation is thoroughly justified.
(E) All members shall carry, handle and transport firearms in a manner so as not to endanger any innocent people.
(F) An officer will use discretion when the use of a firearm becomes unavoidable. Under no circumstances will warning shots be used, as this is a potential hazard to innocent people.
(G) Where the police officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a threat of serious physical harm, either to the officer or to others, it is not constitutionally unreasonable to prevent escape by using deadly force. If the suspect threatens the officer with a weapon or there is probable cause to believe that he or she has committed a crime involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious physical harm, deadly force may be used if necessary to prevent escape, and if, when feasible, some warning has been given.
(H) A member may buy and choose his or her own sidearm. This will not exceed a nine millimeter handgun, and for all practical purposes, will not contain anything but nine millimeter cartridges for on or off duty purposes, and authorized by the Chief of Police.
(I) All member shall take special care of their firearms, making sure that they are in good working order and cleaned on a regular basis.
(Ord. 83-31, passed 9-26-1983; Ord. 85-43, passed 10-28-1985; Ord. 90-27, passed 9-10-1990; Ord. 92-20, passed 9-28-1992; Ord. 2001-28, passed 6-25-2001)