Firearms

Standard
Operating
Procedure

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J Ja an nu ua ar r y y, , 2 20 00 09 9
DEP Division of Law Enforcement
Firearms Standard Operating Procedure
Page 2 of 8

This will serve as the Division of Law Enforcement Standard Operating Procedure for firearms.
It includes the following subject matter as described in General Order 3-1 Portage, Care, and
Use of Firearms:

Division Armorer Selection and Responsibilities

Selection of District Firearms Instructors

Duties and Responsibilities of District Firearms Instructors

Issuance of Firearms, and Currently Authorized Firearms and Ammunition

Repair Procedures of Firearms

Firearms Qualifications Course

Back-up Firearms Authorization and Qualification Course

Off-Duty Firearms and Course of Fire


Division Armorer

The division armorer is assigned to the Training Center and is selected by the Training Center Chief.
The division armorer shall be certified as an armorer in all makes and models of firearms issued by
the department. Presently, the division armorer is Lt. Burt Himmer. The division armorer is
responsible for the following:

A. Coordinating the procurement of firearms;

B. Purchase of agency approved ammunition;

C. Initial inspection of firearms upon receipt from the manufacturer, completion of property forms,
and assigning DEP property numbers;

D. Issuance of firearms to newly hired sworn members;

E. Maintenance of a firearms history for each firearm owned by the division;

F. Designation of presently authorized ammunition and maintenance of ammunition history file;

G. Assistance as needed with the repair of firearms, in coordination with the DFI; and

H. Coordination of firearms training for newly hired sworn members.



DEP Division of Law Enforcement
Firearms Standard Operating Procedure
Page 3 of 8


Selection of District Firearms Instructors (DFI)

The DFI is the divisions approved lead firearms instructor (range master) for a specified district. A
DFI may represent either the Bureau of Park Police or the Bureau of Environmental Investigation.
The DFI will coordinate all firearms training and qualifications for the specified district for both
bureaus. The DFI is selected by not only considering firearms expertise, but also due to existing
leadership capabilities and a desire to teach and motivate trainees. The Training Center selects
DFIs based on several characteristics:

A. Firearms Instructor Status must be current on all Florida Department of Law Enforcement
instructor requirements;

B. Experience must have a minimum of five years of firearms instruction experience (military,
civilian or law enforcement;

C. Expertise must have a proven ability to teach and correct deficiencies. Must also be able to
make difficult decisions regarding trainees abilities;

D. Armorer must be trained as an armorer with the currently issued firearms within one year of
assignment as DFI;

E. Continuing Education must be aware of new techniques, and continue to educate
themselves in this high liability area;

F. Safety Conscience understanding the Division of Law Enforcement Range Rules, and
consistently requiring adherence to this edict; and

G. Training Mentor must want to encourage the best performance from each member in his or
her district.

Designated District Firearms Instructors

Presently, the following sworn members represent the districts listed below as the approved DFI:

NW Special Agent Thomas Harris

NE Lt. J ohn Beatty

Central Special Agent Byron Smith

SW Special Agent Steve Hough

SE Lt. J ohn Strenth

DEP Division of Law Enforcement
Firearms Standard Operating Procedure
Page 4 of 8


Duties and Responsibilities of the DFI

A. Inspection of firearms issued to the district;

B. Inspection and recommendation of authorization of back-up weapons;

C. Inspection of off duty weapons at the request of the sworn member;

D. Conduct annual inspections of all firearms issued by the division and authorized back-up
weapons;

E. Ensure that the annual inspections are documented on the approved DEP form and forwarded
to the division armorer within five days of the inspection;

F. Alterations or repairs to division issued firearms. When necessary, forwarding of firearms to
factory representative for repair;

G. Completion of documentation regarding repairs, and sending forms to the division armorer
within five working days;

H. Oversight of firearms qualifications in the district to include ensuring that all members qualify
as described in the qualification cycle;

I. Ensure that all firearms qualification forms (DEP-239) are forwarded to the Training Center
within five working days;

J . Remedial training for members who fail to qualify;

K. Access to district assigned back-up weapons;

L. Approvals of secure holsters for back-up weapons and plain clothes carry; and

M. Ensure compliance with the mandatory training requirements including:

a. Use of Force;
b. Proper Portage;
c. Use and Care;
d. Loading and Unloading; and
e. Range Instructions.








DEP Division of Law Enforcement
Firearms Standard Operating Procedure
Page 5 of 8

Issuance of Firearms

The division armorer will issue all firearms when an employee is hired or a when a weapon is
replaced. A property transfer form will be completed upon issuance of said weapon. The division
armorer is the inventory custodian for the division armory. Annually, the armorer and a designated
Training Center staff member will inventory the armory and reconcile the property report.

Currently Authorized Firearms

The following firearms are authorized and issued by the division for on-duty use:

A. Bushmaster .223;

B. Glock 9mm;

C. Glock 45 caliber; and

D. Remington 12 gauge shotgun.

The division armorer shall maintain a history of all approved firearms.

Ammunition

The following ammunition is authorized and issued by the division for on-duty use:

A. .223 semi-jacketed hollow point 55 grain bullets;

B. 9mm jacketed hollow point 124 grain bullets;

C. 45 caliber jacketed hollow point bullets 230 grain bullets;

D. 12 gauge 00 buck shells; and

E. 1oz rifle slugs.

In an effort to reduce cost, it is recommended that you used full metal-jacketed rounds at the above
referenced grains for all training events.

Back-up Firearms

Back-up firearms are firearms that are personally owned by the sworn member, and are carried as a
back-up to their primary division issued firearm. Prior to carry on duty, the sworn member must
obtain authorization to carry the back-up weapon as follows:

A. Back-up weapons must be of a make or model from an established manufacturer;

B. Back-up weapons may be of any caliber as long as it can be easily concealable and readily
accessible.
DEP Division of Law Enforcement
Firearms Standard Operating Procedure
Page 6 of 8

C. The DFI must inspect the back-up weapon, and recommend authorization to the sworn
members bureau chief prior to carrying on duty.

D. The sworn member must qualify as specified in the Firearms Qualification Course for Back-up
Firearms.

E. Holsters must be of a make or model from an established manufacturer, and must have a
functional retention device.

Firearms Repair Procedures

Firearms shall be properly maintained by the sworn member, and kept clean to avoid malfunctions.
In the event of a firearm malfunction the following procedures will be followed:

A. Any malfunctions of division issued firearms will immediately reported to the DFI.

B. The DFI will repair the malfunction or forward the weapon to the division armorer for
replacement.

C. The DFI will issue a replacement firearm to the member either permanently, or until the
members firearm is repaired and returned.

D. All repairs or replacements will be documented and forward to the division armorer within five
days.

E. The division armorer will be responsible for final repair and replacement of the defective
firearm if required.

Firearms Qualifications Course

To ensure proficiency with firearms that are carried on-duty, all sworn members will qualify every six
months with all weapons issued, and once a year for all back-up weapons carried. Qualification will
be documented on division form number DEP-239 and forwarded to the division armorer within five
calendar days after qualification.

The following are the approved DEP qualification courses:

A. Handgun course shall be the FDLE mandated 40 round course of fire;

B. Shotgun day/low light course of fire shall be the DEP 4-round course of fire;

C. Back-up weapon course shall be the DEP 25-round course of fire;

D. Handgun night fire course shall be the DEP 36-round course of fire;

E. Holster familiarization course shall be the DEP 6-round course of fire; and

F. Rifle day/low light course shall be the DEP 20-round course of fire.
DEP Division of Law Enforcement
Firearms Standard Operating Procedure
Page 7 of 8

A qualification will consist of two back-to-back passing scores or three passing scores out of six
attempts. This process is considered the first attempt.

If the sworn member is unable to successfully qualify during the first attempt, then the DFI shall start
the remediation process as described:

A. The DFI shall document the unsatisfactory performance and the steps taken to remediate the
sworn member on the DEP Remediation / Failure to Respond to Training Form;

B. The DFI shall take the sworn members weapon for safekeeping. The DFI shall immediately
notify the sworn members immediate supervisor and the Training Center;

C. The DFI will schedule a second attempt within five days. The second attempt must not be on
the same day as the first attempt;

D. If the sworn member is unable to qualify, the DFI shall start another remediation process and
document the process on the DEP Remediation Form; and

E. The DFI will schedule a third attempt within five days of the first attempt. If the sworn member
is unable to qualify, the DFI shall document the failure on the DEP Failure Form. The DFI
shall notify the sworn members immediate supervisor and the Training Center. All
documentation shall be forwarded to the Training Center within five days.

Off Duty Firearms and Course of Fire

Sworn members who carry an off-duty weapon must follow the guidelines provided by H.R. 218 and
G.O. 3-1.2 E. Sworn members may request a safety inspection of their weapon and an opportunity to
shoot a familiarization course of fire with their off-duty weapons.

Qualification/Firearms Training Forms

A. Firearms roster;

B. Range Safety Rules;

C. DEP 239 (DEP Firearms Qualification Report);

D. CJ STC 86A (for primary service weapon only);

E. DEP Firearms Proficiency Demonstration/Qualification Form;

F. DEP Remediation / Failure to Respond to Training Form;

G. DEP Instructor Evaluation Form;

H. DEP Courses of Fire;

I. Individual Instructor Lesson Plan;
DEP Division of Law Enforcement
Firearms Standard Operating Procedure
Page 8 of 8

J . Certification of Annual Firearms/Weapons Inspection;

K. Glock Pistol Inspection Form;

L. Armorers Checklist M-16/AR-15 Rifles;

M. Remington 870 Armorers Checklist; and

N. Weapons Log