G.O. 3.07 - Firearms (R)

Purpose

• Establishes detailed guidelines for every facet of Norwich Police Department (NPD)-issued and/or authorized firearms, ammunition and related gear.
  • Emphasizes training, qualification, safety, carrying, care and maintenance.
  • Anchors the Order in the broader “Rules of Conduct” (Section 3) and specifically ties compliance to General Order 3.01 (Use of Force).
• Legal positioning
  • The Order is administrative; violations generate departmental discipline, not a higher civil-liability standard.
  • Criminal or civil sanctions still apply if laws are broken.

Policy Overview

• Core belief: More training ➔ greater professionalism ➔ fewer injuries to officers & citizens.
• Requirements
  • Annual firearm proficiency and full POSTC (Police Officer Standards & Training Council) compliance.
  • Qualification administered only by certified firearm instructors.
  • Training stresses proper decision-making ("when to shoot" and "how to shoot").
• Authorization predicate: Officer must first be certified in
  • Department Use of Force policy.
  • Department Firearms policy.

Key Accreditation / Policy Citations

• POSTC standards referenced: $1.14.1,\;1.14.3,\;1.14.4,\;1.3.1$
• Rescinds earlier policy: NPD 310.02 (06 Jun 2018).

Definitions (selected & explained)

• Administrative No-Gun Status – Officer lacks technical ability to qualify (Firearms Training Unit determination).
• Medical No-Gun Status – Officer temporarily/ permanently unable for medical reasons (physician determination).
• Firearm Qualification – Mandatory ≥ 1 time per calendar year.
• Physical Stress Training – Live-fire either precedes or occurs during an agility drill; mimics physiological fatigue.
• Psychological Stress Training – Addresses stress-induced effects (tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, loss of fine motor skills) by timed, multi-skill drills.
• Proper Use-of-Force Decision-Making – Reasonable force + sound tactics + de-escalation.
• Sidearm – Primary duty pistol issued by NPD; mandatory weapon for annual qualification.
• Magazine / Source of Feed – Ammunition feeding device for semi-autos.

Authorized Firearms & Ammunition

• Officers may carry only weapons/ammo issued or explicitly approved after training.
• Issued duty pistols (record maintained by Firearms Unit)
  • Smith & Wesson M&P $9\,\text{mm}$ Full-Size, Night Sights, Holosun 407K.
  • Smith & Wesson M&P $9\,\text{mm}$ Compact, Night Sights, Holosun 407K (admin & detectives).
  • Smith & Wesson Shield 9 (admin & detectives).
• Qualification with one model ≠ authorization on another model—must qualify separately for each model carried on- or off-duty.

Approved Duty Ammunition (current list)

• Winchester Ranger LE .223 $64\,\text{gr}$ #RA223R2
• Federal .223 Bonded Soft Point $62\,\text{gr}$
• Federal HST 9 mm $124\,\text{gr}$ and / or $147\,\text{gr}$
• Federal Tactical 1 oz Rifled Slug #LE 127RS
• Federal Tactical Flight-Control 00 Buck #LE 13200
• Federal .308 Win. Sierra MatchKing BTHP $168\,\text{gr}$ and $175\,\text{gr}$

Mandatory Ammunition Carried (minimums)

• Uniformed patrol (full-size M&P 9 mm): $52$ rounds (one chambered + full magazine + 2 spares).
• Admin/Detective (compact M&P): $31$ rounds.
• Admin/Detective (Shield 9): $17$ rounds.

Shoulder Weapons

• Only Department-issued or approved shoulder weapons (carbines, rifles, shotguns, launchers, less-than-lethal shotguns) allowed in any NPD vehicle.
• Must complete training & annual qualification before carrying on duty.
• Securement
  • Shotguns: locked mount or authorized case; "cruiser-ready" (magazine full, no chambered round).
  • Rifles/carbines: gun mount, vault, or authorized case.
• Issued shotguns
  • Mossberg 590A1 (14” barrel)
  • Remington 870 (14” barrel)

Weapon Care, Security & Repair

• Officers own responsibility for cleaning, lubrication (no excess oil), and secure storage.
• Extended leave ➔ do not leave weapon in empty residence; can lodge in locked Department locker.
• Malfunction/defect ➔ report ASAP to Firearms Unit + supervisor.
• All repairs/mods by Department Armorer only.
• Unauthorized attachments forbidden; sole exception: approved weapon-mounted flashlight.

Firearm Safety Rules (selected)

• All firearms transported holstered, gun bag, or gun box—never loose.
• Shoulder holsters & cross-draw holsters prohibited.

Prisoner Processing Safety

• Weapon must be locked in weapon locker before removing prisoner from secured area.
• Lockers (keyed & numbered) at Booking Room entrance; key in officer’s pocket while processing.

Prohibited Uses / Restrictions

• All firearm use = deadly force ➔ must meet Use-of-Force G.O. 3.01.
• No display for intimidation; warning shots prohibited.
• Firing at moving vehicle only if:
  • Occupants use or threaten deadly force by means other than the vehicle; OR
  • Exigent circumstances (e.g.
    vehicle used as weapon, ramming attack) and no alternative.
  • Officers should not intentionally step into path unless tactic approved by policy and should retreat if feasible.

Use-of-Force Reporting

• Every firearm discharge = report per G.O. 3.05.
• Accidental/unintentional discharges investigated by Chief or designee; triggers mandatory retraining.

Inspection Regimen

• Quarterly sidearm inspection (commanding officers responsible)
  • Verify Armorer report current, weapon fully loaded, approved ammo.
  • Supervisor drafts memo to Chief documenting results.
• Inspection Procedure (semi-auto)
  1. Directed to clearing barrel/range.
  2. Draw, finger off trigger, muzzle into barrel.
  3. Remove magazine; rack slide, lock open; show clear.
  4. Inspect weapon, mags, ammo; reload.
  5. Re-holster & return to duty-ready state.
• Semi-annual inspection (twice yearly) by Armorer/Firearms Instructor; range-day inspection may count as one.
  • Data logged in Department system.

Training & Remedial Process

• Annual in-service firearms training (sidearm & shoulder weapon) mandatory.
• Failure to qualify initial day ➔ weapon relinquished, remedial next day.
• Certification window: officer gets 2 more chances within $60$ days.
  • Up to $12$ hours training per attempt, $36$ hours max.
  • Still unqualified ➔ suspended without pay; must qualify within $6$ months or face discharge.
• Accidental discharge or improper use ➔ automatic re-training (memo + investigation attached).
• All sessions meet current POSTC standards; documented by Firearms Unit.
• Training content includes: physical & psychological stress firing, night firing, advanced tactics, decision-making simulations.

Qualification Failure Protocols

• After any failed qualification attempt:
  • Officer signs Revocation Notice; placed "administrative no-gun"; cannot perform police powers.
  • ID card surrendered; placed on in-house assignment until qualified.
• Max 4 remedials within $45$ days; further failure ➔ discipline up to termination.
• Sidearm seized until qualified.
• After 2nd remedial failure ➔ medical review.
• Shoulder weapon failure ➔ may still carry sidearm but cannot deploy shoulder weapon until qualified.
• Medical deferment
  • Physician certification triggers temporary revocation.
  • Firearms Training Officer can adapt course (wheelchair, etc.) at his discretion.
• Failure to attend scheduled training = immediate suspension of police powers (Administrative Suspension notice) until session completed.

Carrying Firearms – On- & Off-Duty Rules

General Rules

• Never enter holding cell area with firearm.
• Inside department buildings: weapon accessible yet out of public view.
• Prescription/OTC meds affecting judgment ➔ must notify supervisor; cannot carry.
• During medical or disciplinary lock-up ➔ weapon stored in lockbox, finger off trigger, muzzle at floor.

Duty (Uniformed Patrol)

• Must wear Safariland Mid-Ride Lvl III ALS/SLS holster (or Chief-approved alternate).
• Sidearm on strong side; spare magazines carried.

Civilian Attire / Admin Assignments

• Firearm holstered on strong side, secured to belt; NPD badge displayed in front of holster.
• Spare magazine on support side.
• Concealed by outer garment when appropriate; generally worn outside waistband unless specially approved (IWB requires extra training).
• Authorized plain-clothes holster: Safariland 578 GLS Pro-Fit ALS.
• Special accommodation (undercover, pregnancy, physical limitations) arranged with Firearms Instructor.

Off-Duty Carry

• Discretionary but recommended when appropriate; mandatory when operating NPD vehicle off-duty.
• Must carry NPD ID + badge.
• Weapon concealed; holstered with adequate retention.
• Prohibitions/limitations:
  • No sporting activity with gun.
  • No carry at demonstrations, rallies, marches or picket lines.
  • Illegal to carry with BAC $\ge .08$ or under influence of drugs.
  • Cannot carry while on impairing medication.
  • No weapons during jury duty; must check at courthouse or nearest agency.

Off-Duty Police Action

• Should notify on-duty NPD/local police before intervening unless exigent.
• Must abstain from action if impaired or compromised.
• If suspected impairment, officer can be required to submit to sobriety/chemical tests.

Ethical & Practical Implications

• The Order balances officer safety, public safety, and civil liberties.
• Stress on decision-making echoes modern policing philosophy: de-escalation, proportionality, accountability.
• Administrative no-gun status ensures potentially unsafe officers are removed from armed duty quickly but offers structured remediation.
• Documentation (memos, automated logs) provides audit trail for transparency & accreditation.

Numerical Summary / Quick Facts

• Minimum annual firearm qualifications: $1$ per calendar year (POSTC may demand more).
• Patrol ammo minimums: $52$ rounds (Full-size M&P).
• Remedial training allotment: up to $36$ hours within $60$ days.
• Max remedials before discipline: $4$ within $45$ days.
• Suspension to discharge window for non-qualification: $6$ months.

Connections & Context

• Integrates with G.O. 3.01 (Use of Force) & 3.05 (Reporting/Investigating Force).
• Complies with state POSTC accreditation, reinforcing legitimacy & statewide interoperability.
• Mirrors national best practices: stress-based firearms training, prohibition on warning shots, restrictions on shooting at vehicles, medical-based no-gun determinations.