5-400 Firearms Requirements and Policies
5-401 HANDLING OF FIREARMS (03/11/16) (12/17/18)
A. All employees shall safely handle firearms while performing on-duty assignments or while acting in a law enforcement capacity, in a manner consistent with MPD training and policy.
B. An employee’s finger shall be kept out of the trigger guard and indexed on the frame of the handgun until the employee is on target and intends to fire the gun.
C. Employees are responsible for any discharge of a firearm in their custody. Any unintentional, reckless, unlawful, or other discharge inconsistent with MPD training and policy may result in discipline.
5‑402 MPD ARMORY (11/27/02)
Department-owned armament shall be transferred only through the MPD Rangemaster. Commanders may make temporary loans within the department to meet emergency needs, but the Rangemaster must be notified as soon as practical.
Only those with the rank of Commander and above, the on‑duty Watch Commander, the Rangemaster, or those working for the Rangemaster, are authorized to approve access to the MPD Armory. (03/11/16)
Exception: Weapons and other armaments belonging to the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) are excluded from this section. These armaments shall be transferred through the ERU Commander or the ERU Coordinator.
5-403 CRITICAL INCIDENTS – LOANER HANDGUN (01/31/02) (02/06/12)
1. Following a Critical Incident, if an involved MPD officer is required to surrender his/her duty handgun, the Homicide Unit will provide a loaner handgun to the involved officer.
2. Prior to returning to duty, the involved officer shall contact the MPD Range during normal business hours to receive a loaner handgun similar to the type of gun the officer has declared as a duty weapon.
3. After receiving the loaner handgun from the Range, the involved officer shall return the loaner gun to the Homicide Unit.
4. The involved officer will be allowed to carry the Range-issued loaner handgun as a duty handgun until the investigating agency returns the officer’s duty handgun.
5-404 FIREARMS - CIVILIAN PERSONNEL (01/21/03) (02/06/12)
(C-D)
Civilian personnel are prohibited from handling loaded firearms while at work unless they have attended and completed firearms familiarization training sponsored by the MPD Range or possess a valid permit to carry. Civilian personnel shall not possess personal firearms while at work.
5‑405 FIREARMS AUTHORIZED FOR OFF‑DUTY USE (11/27/02)
(C-D)
The decision to carry a handgun while off‑duty is left to the personal preference of each officer. The MPD prohibits any officer from carrying a handgun or ammunition off‑duty while using or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Officers are permitted to carry off‑duty only those handguns they have been certified to carry on‑duty. The City of Minneapolis assumes no liability for any officer using a handgun off duty that has not been authorized and approved for on‑duty use and for which the Rangemaster has not certified the officer.
5-405.01 SECURING FIREARMS OFF-DUTY (11/27/02)
(A-D)
Officers, when off-duty, are responsible for the safe storage of their firearms, whether they are in a motor vehicle, in a residence, or other facility. Officers assume the responsibility for taking reasonable precautions that their firearms do not fall into the hands of minors and/or unauthorized persons.
5‑406 APPROVAL OF FIREARMS (11/27/02)
(A)
Range personnel must inspect all firearms before an officer may attempt to qualify with the firearm and be authorized to carry the firearm on duty or off duty. Range personnel may require officers to take additional training in addition to shooting a qualification course before allowing an officer to carry a specific firearm.
A firearm shall be resubmitted to the Rangemaster for inspection and approval when:
· Directed by a supervisor;
· The firearm has been altered; and/or
· The firearm has malfunctioned or is not working properly.
5‑407 MAINTENANCE OF FIREARMS (11/27/02)
(A)
Officers shall maintain their firearm(s) in a clean, serviceable condition.
5‑408 AMMUNITION (11/27/02) (02/06/12)
(A-B)
1. Officers shall only carry MPD-approved ammunition. Ammunition specifications are available from the Range Master.
2. The MPD will provide the ammunition required for an officer’s declared handguns (up to two total). (02/06/12)
3. Ammunition issued for an officer’s declared handgun(s) will be replaced annually by the Range Master. (02/06/12)
4. Department shotguns should be loaded with MPD issued 00 Buck. If a situation arises where the spread of the buckshot becomes an issue or additional range or penetration is required shotgun slugs may be used. (02/06/12)
5-409 SHOTGUNS (11/27/02) (10/24/03) (12/18/06) (10/05/09) (02/06/12) (05/02/20)
I. PURPOSE
To establish procedures for the use of authorized shotguns.
II. PROCEDURE / REGULATIONS
A. The Remington, Model 870 shotgun is the authorized MPD shotgun.
B. All sworn personnel who are not Certified Rifle Operators (in accordance with P&P 5-410) shall qualify and attend annual shotgun training and shall retain annual shotgun certification.
C. The shotgun shall be “squad ready” when in a vehicle.
1. To be squad ready, the shotgun shall have six rounds in the magazine with the hammer dropped (trigger pulled). There shall be no round in the chamber and the safety shall be in the “fire position.” The shotgun shall have a single strip of masking tape around the barrel and fore-grip with the preparing officer's initials, date and time written on the tape.
2. At the start of a shift, uniformed officers assigned to a marked squad shall obtain a shotgun, inspect it and ensure the shotgun is set up squad ready, unless the officers will have a rifle in accordance with P&P 5-410.
3. Upon completion of their shift, officers shall remove the shotgun from the squad car for storage in the precinct or unit armory. When stored, the Remington, Model 870 shotgun shall have the slide open with no rounds in the weapon.
5-410 RIFLES (03/31/06) (04/23/10) (08/01/11) (09/04/12) (05/02/20)
I. PURPOSE
To establish policy and procedure for the use of Department authorized rifles.
II. POLICY
A. Officers certified to carry Department authorized rifles are authorized to do so as part of their regular duty assignment. When deploying a rifle officers shall adhere to the Constitutions of the United States and Minnesota, and to all state and federal laws and MPD policies pertaining to the use of deadly force.
B. Only magazines issued by the Range or brands of magazines approved by the Range shall be used (in accordance with P&P 5-408). A list of approved magazines will be maintained at the Range. Officers will be issued one 30-round magazine, and may elect to carry more magazines.
III. PROCEDURE / REGULATIONS
A. Certified Rifle Operators
1. Certified Rifle Operators shall attend annual training and pass a qualification course to retain their certification. The certification course will be determined by the Range Master.
2. A Certified Rifle Operator who has used the rifle in violation of this policy or in an unsafe manner may have their certification suspended or revoked.
3. Failure to attend a scheduled rifle training session may result in the suspension or revocation of rifle certification.
B. Rifle assignment and condition
Certified Rifle Operators will be assigned a department issued rifle to carry on patrol.
1. Checking the rifle in and out
a. Certified Rifle Operators will check out a rifle from the precinct or unit armory at the beginning of their shift. Only currently certified officers may check out a rifle.
b. When checking out a rifle, officers must conduct the following checks and inspections:
i. Inspection for damages.
ii. Inspection for proper lubrication.
iii. Co-witness check of the electronic optic with the back-up iron sights.
iv. Manual function test using the loading/clearing barrel, verifying the rifle is in proper working order.
c. At the end of the officer’s shift, the officer shall verify the rifle is unloaded and returned to the precinct or unit armory. Officers shall not leave rifles in the squads at the end of their shift.
2. Rifle condition
a. Officers who carry a department issued rifle will maintain the rifle in the same condition as it was issued to the precinct or unit.
b. Officers are responsible for general maintenance and cleaning of the department issued rifle.
c. Officers shall report any damage, problems, or concerns with the rifles to authorized Range personnel. It is the responsibility of that Officer to notify their supervisor and to ensure that the rifle is marked “out of service.”
3. Accessories
Accessories may only be added or removed by authorized Range personnel, and only authorized accessories may be used.
a. The Range maintains a list of the authorized accessories that may be added to a Rifle (by authorized personnel).
b. Officers may not remove the assigned suppressor from any Department rifle.
C. Rifle Program Duty Declaration form
Certified Rifle Operators who are assigned a Department issued rifle shall sign a Rifle Program Duty Declaration Form (MP-9068) which outlines the rules associated with carrying the rifle. The Rifle Program Duty Declaration Form will be maintained by the Range in the officer’s file.
D. Rifle storage and transportation in vehicles
1. Rifles shall be “squad ready” when in a vehicle:
· The rifle’s bolt is forward on an empty chamber with the safety on.
· The rifle shall have the authorized magazine loaded with issued duty ammunition inserted into the magazine well.
2. Rifles shall be transported in one of two ways as follows:
a. In a squad mounted lock in the front passenger compartment of the vehicle, or
b. Cased in the trunk of the vehicle. If the rifle is cased in the vehicle’s trunk it may be brought into the cabin of the vehicle prior to arriving on a call that will require use of the rifle.
E. Deployment of rifles
1. Rifles may be deployed when the unique features of the rifle provide a tactical advantage.
2. It may be necessary to use a rifle in a building if the call involves an active shooter, a suspect wearing protective body armor or other serious situations. Officers should be aware that serious damage may occur to their hearing or the hearing of others in close proximity to the area if a rifle is fired in a building.
3. Officers should be aware of the area behind their intended target if they need to fire their rifles in an urban area.
4. When officers respond to a call where MPD policy requires that a report be completed, officers shall document the deployment or use of the rifle in their statement.
5‑411 FIREARMS TRAINING REQUIREMENTS (11/27/02)
(A-D)
The Rangemaster is responsible for planning, implementing and conducting firearms training for all MPD sworn personnel. The Rangemaster is also responsible for operational activities of all sworn personnel and for ensuring that all personnel comply with the established policies, procedures and orders of the department. The Rangemaster reviews all officer-involved shootings for future or immediate training needs.
Range officers instruct sworn personnel in the proper use of authorized individual and MPD-owned firearms. They also are responsible for inspecting and determining the functional operation of firearms.
All sworn personnel are required, as a term and condition of employment, to obtain a "passing" score on the MPD-approved course of fire for each of the Range training periods established by the Training Unit. They must do so with their primary handgun and secondary handgun (if they intend to carry one).
Officers may be required to participate in additional firearms training at the discretion of the Training Unit as approved by the Administration.
Sworn personnel are also required to satisfactorily complete each course of fire with MPD-issued shotguns as conducted by Range personnel.
Any officer who fails to attend the MPD-approved course of fire for any given range training period because of a medically documented illness, temporary injury, IOD-related matter or non-medical excused absence from duty (i.e., LOA), will be required to do so upon their return to full duty. Officers returning to full duty shall be reassigned to a non-enforcement position by their Commander and will not be authorized to carry a firearm, on or off duty, until successfully completing the required course of fire.
Recruit officers must attain the minimum score required to "pass" the firearms qualification course conducted by MPD Range personnel. Failure to qualify is cause for termination of employment.
5-411.01 FAILURE TO QUALIFY (11/27/02)
(A-D)
"To Qualify" means obtaining the minimum passing score on any given MPD-approved course of fire with handguns, shotguns and other specialty firearms if required.
Officers who do not obtain a "passing" score on a required course of fire shall be given a "Notice of Failure to Qualify." This form will direct the officer to return on a given date and time for remedial training and/or refiring of the course. A copy of the "Notice of Failure to Qualify" (MP-6454) will be sent to the officer's Commander and another placed in the officer's Range file.
The Commander will immediately reassign the officer to a non-enforcement position until such time as he or she returns to the range and "passes" the course of fire. The officer is also prohibited from carrying or using MPD-authorized firearms, on or off duty, until satisfactory completion of the course.
Failure to qualify after remedial training may be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
5-411.02 FAILURE TO ATTEND FIREARMS TRAINING (11/27/02)
(A-B)
Commanders will be allocated sufficient range time to schedule all their officers for each required range training period. Make-up sessions may be scheduled if necessary.
Upon the completion of each firearms qualification period, officers who did not attend will be issued a "Notice of Failure to Attend Firearms Qualification Course" (MP-6453). A copy will be sent to the officer's Commander and a copy placed in the officer's Range file. The officer shall report to the Range on the specified date and time for remedial training and/or qualification.
Commanders will immediately reassign the officer to a non-enforcement position until such time as he or she returns to the Range and satisfactorily completes the course of fire. The officer is also prohibited from carrying or using MPD-authorized firearms, on or off duty, until satisfactory completion of the course.
A list of all officers who failed to report for firearms training during each qualification period will be forwarded to their respective Bureau Head. Failure to attend required firearms training, unless properly excused, will be cause for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
5‑412 USE OF DEPARTMENT RANGE FACILITY (11/27/02)
(A)
The MPD Range facility may only be used by sworn law enforcement personnel or persons authorized by the Rangemaster. Sworn law enforcement personnel from agencies other than the MPD may be permitted to use the Range facility with the prior approval of the Chief of Police. In these instances, at least one Range staff officer must be present to monitor the use of the facility.
Only MPD-authorized ammunition and an officer's primary and secondary firearm may be used at an MPD Range facility.
5‑412.01 RANGE RULES ‑ INDOOR AND OUTDOOR (11/27/02)
(A-B)
The Rangemaster is the Commander of the MPD’s Range facilities. The following rules shall be adhered to by all personnel using the indoor or outdoor range facilities:
· All weapons at the range should be treated as if they are loaded. (02/06/12)
· Weapons shall be cased or holstered unless directed to do otherwise by the Rangemaster.
· Trigger fingers will remain off the trigger until the Rangemaster gives the command to shoot.
· Handling of weapons will be on command or by permission of range personnel only.
· No handling of weapons will be permitted while persons are down range.
· Possession and/or consumption of liquor or drugs is forbidden either immediately prior to or while at the range.
· The Rangemaster may order anyone using the MPD’s Range to leave a Range facility for the violation of any of his/her commands or rules.
· The Rangemaster may temporarily confiscate the weapon of any employee of the MPD pending a decision on the issue by the Chief of Police.
5‑413 DEPOSITING WEAPONS AT JAIL OR PROCESSING FACILITY (11/27/02)
(A-B)
Officers entering any area of a jail or processing facility shall follow all rules of the controlling agency as to the deposit of weapons immediately upon entering the facility.
Last updated May 2, 2020
