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The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Police Department |
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| General Order 2-2.2 | Firearms | |
- Issued Service Firearms, Ammunition, and Equipment
Officers are issued a primary service handgun and related items in order to provide for standardization. The type of firearm(s) an officer is issued is based upon the duties the officer is expected to perform and the need to conceal the firearm. No on-duty officer may deviate from this standard firearm assignment without the expressed authorization of their area commander. No officer will attach to, or use with, a department-issued or approved firearm, any equipment not approved by the department (e.g. lasers, flashlights, extended magazines, etc.). Officers may carry a secondary handgun, as provided for in this general order.
The authorized service firearm issued by the UNC Greensboro Police Department is a semiautomatic pistol chambered for 9mm caliber ammunition. While on duty, these issued handguns will only be loaded with department-issued ammunition consisting of the 124-grain GDHP 9mm caliber cartridges.
Officers in specific assignments are authorized to carry a personally owned light-weight concealable semiautomatic pistol chambered in 9mm. The ammunition for the weapon must be 9mm, 124-grain GDHP cartridges. The firearm may be carried in lieu of, or in addition to, the primary issued firearm.
The department provides 12-gauge pump shotguns with neon orange stock and forearm for use by its officers as a less-lethal delivery system. Officers are required to have access to a department-issued less-lethal shotgun while performing routine patrol duties. The less-lethal shotgun will be secured in a carrying case located in the trunk of the patrol vehicle. The weapon will be carried with a fully loaded side saddle, with an empty magazine and no round in the chamber.
Shotguns loaded with beanbag rounds are considered less-lethal firearms and should be considered impact weapons in the use of force options. If the need arises to use the weapon it should be aimed at the lower abdomen, upper or lower legs, or forearms as primary target areas. Less-lethal rounds should never be aimed at the head, spine, groin, or heart unless deadly force is justified. As with any impact weapon, its use may become lethal depending upon the body part impacted.
At no time should these shotguns be loaded with lethal buckshot or slug rounds unless there is an extreme emergency and no other alternative is available.
The issued department patrol rifle is a .223 caliber semiautomatic AR-15 style carbine. Department-issued ammunition for this weapon is .223 caliber, 55-grain ammunition.
Officers are accountable for all issued firearms, ammunition, and equipment. Should any equipment be found to be missing or damaged, the officer will report it to their immediate supervisor who will then report it through the chain of command. - Eligibility for and Access to Patrol Rifles
Full-time, sworn personnel will be issued a department patrol rifle upon successful completion of the department's basic patrol rifle course, patrol rifle standards drills, approval of the lead firearms instructor, and appropriate qualification with the issued weapon.
The Lead Firearms Instructor will maintain an accurate record as to the number of patrol rifles issued in the department.
All officers attending and successfully completing patrol rifle training will be issued a department-owned rifle. No personally owned rifles are approved for use while on duty.
All department-owned patrol rifles will be equipped with optics, when available. These optics must be securely mounted to the rifle in a manner so as not to interfere with the vehicle locking system provided.
Officers will be issued three 30-round capacity magazines loaded with .223 caliber, 55-grain Hi-Shok duty ammunition to carry while on duty. Officers will be allowed to carry up to five additional magazines at their expense. Additional magazines will be restricted to 30 round capacity and demonstrate high quality and reliability. Officers will be responsible for supplying the additional ammunition which must be identical to department issued ammunition. Officers must get the approval of a department firearms instructor for any additional magazines they elect to carry prior to their use. The approving departmental firearms instructor will acknowledge this approval in memorandum form to the officer’s chain of command. - Carrying of Firearms On Duty
While on duty and in their jurisdiction, all officers are required to carry their issued service handgun, except as allowed for in this general order. All officers, while on duty, or working off duty in uniform, will possess and wear their department-issued firearms and ammunition in a manner consistent with established departmental policy. Additionally, they may possess a personally owned, department approved secondary handgun on their person as provided for by this general order. Handgun and ammunition carried as a secondary handgun must be of the same types and specifications as provided for in the Off Duty Carrying of Firearms section of this general order. Any secondary handgun carried must be concealed from public view in a securable holster designed for that specific make/model of handgun. The holster will be secured to the officer. Deviation from this policy may be allowed when it is necessary for a specific operational assignment.
All handguns carried must be fully loaded. For semiautomatic handguns this requires the weapon to have one cartridge in the chamber and a fully loaded magazine properly inserted into the weapon. For revolvers, this requires all cylinders to be loaded.
A commander may allow on-duty personnel under their command to carry an authorized secondary handgun that they have qualified with as a primary firearm while on plainclothes or special assignments. The authorized secondary handgun and ammunition must comply with the provisions of this general order.
All officers working in a plain clothes capacity will exercise discretion while wearing their firearm in open view of the public. Plain-clothes officers electing to openly carry their firearm will clearly display their badge at all times when in the public view. Officers carrying their firearm in open view of the public may only do so utilizing a holster that carries the weapon on the waist and/or hip in the vertical position, with the barrel pointing downward. Any officer electing to carry their weapon in any other holster such as a shoulder holster will be required to wear an outer garment that conceals the firearm. Deviation from this policy will be allowed when it is necessary for a specific operational assignment.
Weapon Mounted Lights
Any use of a weapon mounted light will conform to the current methods and techniques as approved and taught by a departmental firearms instructor. Officers may carry a weapon mounted light only after completing the necessary training, and demonstrating proficiency in the approved qualification course.
A weapon mounted light is considered to be a part of the total weapon system. Weapon mounted lights are not intended to replace a flashlight as an illumination device. A weapon mounted light will only be used in situations when the officer has an articulable reason to believe the pointing of a firearm is appropriate based upon the circumstances known. - Qualification Required
All officers will qualify annually with their department-issued service firearm(s). They will also qualify annually with any personal firearm(s) they are authorized to carry.
Less-Lethal Shotgun
At least annually, all officers authorized to carry the less-lethal shotgun will receive training and demonstrate proficiency with the weapon. The training will be monitored by a departmental firearms instructor to teach the techniques for the use of the weapon. Proficiency will be proven through a pre-determined combat course and/or qualification course. Officers who fail to demonstrate proficiency will receive remedial training within thirty days of the original training.
All Other Department Firearms
Affected commanders will restrict access to any specialized weapon by any officer who fails to meet the qualification standards applicable to that weapon until the officer has properly satisfied qualification requirements for that weapon. All qualifications will follow The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission requirements. All qualifications must be completed by December 31 of each year. - Failure to Qualify
Primary Service Handgun and Patrol Rifle
Officers are required to qualify annually with both their primary service handgun and the department issued patrol rifle, if assigned. On qualification day each officer will be given a maximum of three attempts to shoot a passing score (85) on both a day and night qualification course with their primary service handgun. Additionally each officer will be given a maximum of three attempts to shoot a passing score (90) on a day qualification course with their issued patrol rifle. A departmental firearms instructor will provide notification to any officer failing to qualify with the department-issued service handgun and/or patrol rifle.
The departmental firearms instructor or their designee will then report without delay the failure to qualify with the department-issued service handgun and/or patrol rifle to the officer’s direct supervisor and the Chief of Police.
Upon failure to qualify with either the officer's primary service handgun or department issued patrol rifle, the designated firearms instructor will take and secure the officer’s department-issued service handgun and patrol rifle. The officer will then be assigned to Support Services and report to the Support Services Commander on the following business day. The reassignment will not exceed thirty days. While assigned to Support Services for remedial training, officers will not perform any duties requiring the exercise of police authority.
During this time the officer will undergo a minimum of two hours remedial training with a department firearms instructor. During the remedial training for the primary service handgun and/or issued patrol rifle, the officer will fire a minimum of one hundred rounds of ammunition. The departmental firearms instructor will document the specific type of training provided and the number of rounds fired during each exercise while conducting the remedial training.
The remediation and re-qualification process for the officer will be conducted a maximum of two additional times, with three attempts each time. If the officer has not qualified after a total of nine attempts, the designated firearms instructor will report the failure to qualify to the Chief of Police. Officers failing to meet qualification standards after a total of nine attempts will be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal.
Police Shotgun or Other Specialized Firearm
Should an officer fail to prove proficiency and/or qualify with the police less-lethal shotgun, the officer is prohibited from using/carrying the firearm until they have met the applicable qualification standards. Remedial training and/or re-qualification attempts will be coordinated with Support Services.
Secondary Handguns
Those carrying a secondary handgun will be given a maximum of three attempts to shoot a passing score with the secondary handgun (for both day and night qualification) during qualification range dates. If an officer fails to qualify with their secondary handgun, the officer’s immediate supervisor and the Chief of Police will be notified of the failure. The officer may continue their tour of duty or assignment; however, the secondary handgun will not be utilized or carried under any circumstance with the exception of transporting it to their residence. The firearm will not be carried on their person during transportation.
Any officer failing to successfully qualify with their secondary handgun will forfeit the ability to carry that firearm until they successfully complete another qualification session during an available scheduled firearm qualification date. - Off Duty Carrying of Firearms
It is the policy of the department to permit sworn officers to possess and carry concealed either their issued service firearm or authorized personal firearm while off duty, provided that the carrying of such firearm(s) conforms to the provisions set forth in this general order.
While outside their jurisdiction, but within the state of North Carolina, unless engaged in official business, officers who elect to carry weapons off duty are required to carry their authorized weapons in accordance with G.S. §14-269.
When outside the State of North Carolina, unless engaged in official business, officers who elect to carry weapons off duty are required to carry their weapons in accordance with 18 USC 926B.
No off-duty officer will be permitted to carry a concealed weapon while they are consuming or under the influence of any intoxicating beverage or other substance that would affect mental or physical faculties. However, with proper supervisory approval, an on-duty officer may consume alcoholic beverages to further the goals or objectives of the department.
Personally owned off-duty firearms, or handguns carried as a secondary handgun, and ammunition must be of a type approved by the department. This includes:- Any solid frame, side swing cylinder revolver chambered for .38 Special, 9mm, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 ACP or 45 Long Colt. Ammunition for these firearms must be jacketed or semi-jacketed hollow points.
- Any traditional double action, single action, or "safe action" semi-automatic pistol chambered for .380 ACP, 9mm Luger, .357 SIG or, .40 caliber S&W, 10mm, or .45 ACP. Ammunition for these firearms must be jacketed or semi-jacketed hollow points in the appropriate caliber.
- comply with the provisions of this general order,
- are of a quality which make them appropriate as off-duty and/or secondary handguns, and
- are apparently in a safe condition to use.
In order to carry an off-duty and/or secondary handgun, officers will first qualify with that firearm and will re-qualify annually if they wish to continue carrying an off-duty and/or secondary handgun. To comply with H.R. 218 qualification must occur annually each calendar year.
Officers seeking to qualify with an off-duty and/or secondary handgun must meet The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission requirements. The officer will provide ammunition required for the qualification. Officers who fail to meet all qualification standards will not be eligible to carry the firearm off duty, or as a secondary handgun, until properly qualified.
Officers of this department, who elect to carry a department-issued firearm while off duty, or as a secondary handgun while on duty, will wear their weapon in a discreet, concealed manner so as not to attract attention or have the weapon in open view of the public.
Officers who elect to carry their department-issued firearm or personal firearm while off duty will be required to have in their possession the department-issued badge and official identification card, and, if necessary, any other documentation required by the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act” (LEOSA H.R. 218) H.R. 218.
An officer who fails to qualify with their department-issued firearm is prohibited from carrying a personally owned concealed firearm as authorized by this general order, with the exception of a weapon carried as a private citizen under the provisions of G.S. §14-415.10, while off duty until they have successfully re-qualified with their department-issued firearm.
NOTE: Officers who choose to carry concealed in the State of North Carolina any firearm or ammunition that does not meet the definition of approved firearms and ammunition as described above must do so as a private citizen acting under the authority and in accordance with the provisions of G.S. §14-415.10, et. seq. Officers who choose to carry concealed such firearms and ammunition are not acting within the scope and authority conferred by this general order. - Nationwide Concealed Carry by Qualified Law Enforcement Officers
Pursuant to 18 USC 926B, “The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004”, qualified active law enforcement officers may carry a concealed firearm nationwide, provided:- they carry photographic identification issued by their employing governmental agency, and
- they have been tested or otherwise shown to meet the standards established by the agency to carry a firearm.
- is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and has statutory powers of arrest;
- is authorized by the agency to carry a firearm;
- is not the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency which could result in suspension or loss of police powers;
- meets standards, if any, established by the agency that require the employee to regularly qualify in the use of a firearm;
- is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and
- is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.
The identification required by this subsection is the photographic identification issued by the governmental agency where the individual is employed as a law enforcement officer.
- Nationwide Carry of Concealed Firearms by Qualified Retirees
Pursuant to H.R. 218, “The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004”, qualified law enforcement retirees may carry a concealed firearm nationwide, provided:- they carry photographic identification issued by the agency from which they retired, and
- within the previous 12 months they have been tested or otherwise shown to meet the standards established by the agency for an active officer to carry a firearm.
Alternatively, such competence can be certified by the state in which the retiree resides. A “qualified retired law enforcement officer” is defined as an individual who:
- has retired in good standing from service with a public agency as a law enforcement officer, other than for reasons of mental instability;
- who before retirement was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for any violation of law and had statutory powers of arrest;
- before such retirement, was regularly employed as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 15 years service or more; or
- retired from service with such agency after completing an applicable probationary period of service, due to a service-connected disability, as determined by such agency;
- has a non-forfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan of the agency;
- during the most recent 12 month period, has met at the expense of the individual, the State’s standards for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry firearms;
- is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and
- is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.
The department will issue a certification to the retiree upon successful qualification. The certification will record:- pertinent personal information;
- the time period for which the qualification is valid, and;
- the type of firearm used.
The department will periodically review the implementation of this law to ensure compliance. - Inspections, Maintenance, and Repair of Firearms
Firearms Inspections and Cleaning
Officers are responsible for maintaining all authorized firearms. Supervisors are responsible for making periodic inspections of handguns, shotguns, patrol rifles, and specialized weapons to ensure proper maintenance. Any problems encountered with a department-issued weapon or its ammunition will be brought to the immediate attention of a departmental firearms instructor.
The operator of a police vehicle to which a less-lethal shotgun is assigned will ensure that the shotgun is routinely cleaned and in good working order. Any damaged ammunition will be presented to any departmental firearms instructor for replacement.
Cleaning and maintenance of all department firearms will be according to accepted department practice.
Each officer will be responsible for the general maintenance and cleaning of their patrol rifle. Any damage to department weapons or ammunition will be reported to a departmental firearms instructor. Each officer issued a patrol rifle will have it inspected for damage and proper maintenance by their immediate supervisor each work rotation.
Repair of Weapons
Department approved firearms instructors will be responsible for repair of any department-issued weapons found to be in a defective, inoperable, or otherwise unserviceable condition.
When an officer has a department-issued weapon that is in need of repair, they will return the weapon to any departmental firearms instructor as soon as possible and have it repaired or secure a replacement weapon.
Departmental firearms instructors who have successfully completed factory armored certification course will serve as designated Department Armorers for department-issued firearms. They are authorized to perform necessary repairs or maintenance within department specifications or factory guidelines.
If a personally owned secondary handgun is damaged while being carried on duty, the officer will cease in carrying the weapon until the necessary repairs are made at the officer’s expense. - Less-Lethal Shotgun and Patrol Rifle Security
The less-lethal shotgun assigned to a marked police vehicle equipped with a shield will be locked in the vehicle’s shotgun lock, if the vehicle is so equipped, and if the lock is in good operating condition. Otherwise, the shotgun will be carried in the trunk of the vehicle. When so carried, the shotgun will be fully loaded with less-lethal sock rounds in the on the side-saddle, with no rounds in the magazine, and no round in the chamber.
Each officer authorized to carry a patrol rifle will ensure the security of the weapon by locking it in the patrol vehicle’s locking mechanism, if the vehicle is so equipped, and the lock is in good operating condition. If the vehicle is not equipped with a vehicle gun lock, the weapon will be locked in the trunk. The patrol rifle will be carried with an empty chamber, a loaded 30-round magazine in the magazine well, and the selector switch in the “safe” position. - Storage and Security of Shotgun and Other Firearms While Vehicle is Out of Service for Mechanical Repairs
When a vehicle is left at any location for repairs, the officer and/or logistic officer leaving the vehicle will remove the less-lethal shotgun and patrol rifle or other firearm from its normal carry mode, unload it and store the firearm and ammunition in their assigned gun locker located in the patrol room at the police department until such time as the vehicle is placed back in service.
Any accessories such as magazines and flashlights will be removed from the vehicle as well. When the repairs on a vehicle have been completed, the assigned operator of the vehicle will retrieve the firearm from their assigned gun locker. The firearm will be appropriately loaded, and returned to its duty-ready carry position. - Safe Handling and Storage of Issued Firearms
All departmental personnel shall comply with the provisions of G.S. §14-315.1 when storing their department-issued firearms. If an officer resides with a minor, the officer shall render their handgun(s) safe, and secure it in a manner so as to reasonably prevent access to the handgun by any such minor.
Each patrol squad will be assigned a weapon storage locker located in the squad room at the police department. Each officer will be required to secure their patrol rifle in their assigned locker prior to the end of their shift. At no time will an officer take their assigned rifle home and/or any other location without prior approval from the Chief, Major, and/or Area Commander. Officers are forbidden to secure their rifle in the upstairs locker rooms.
Officers are responsible for the safekeeping and security of all department firearms issued to them. All firearms shall be stored, handled, and maintained in such a manner as to prevent the firearm from accidentally discharging. All patrol rifles will have an empty chamber indicator inserted at all times a round is not chambered while the rifle is in storage.
Except for general maintenance, supervisory inspections, storage, or authorized training, officers shall not draw firearms unless circumstances create a reasonable belief that it may be necessary to utilize the firearm in a manner consistent with the state law and departmental general orders. No officer shall provide any weapon to a citizen to inspect, examine, or otherwise handle unless authorized to do so by the Chief of Police or designee. - Discharge of Firearms
Officers are required to report any on-duty discharge of any firearm not associated with training, whether accidental or intentional, to a police supervisor as soon as possible after the incident. The supervisor must then file an administrative report concerning the incident. - Utilization of Secondary Handguns
Any officer seeking to carry a secondary handgun on duty must bring a completed ‘Secondary Handgun Authorization Form’ to a scheduled qualification date. The form will be maintained in the officer's personnel file. If approval is granted, the officer is authorized to begin carrying their secondary handgun, providing the officer has properly satisfied qualification requirements.
The officer will advise their immediate supervisor the location the firearm will be carried in the event the firearm must be secured if an officer is incapacitated for any reason.
A secondary handgun shall only be utilized if the officer’s primary issued firearm is rendered inoperable or unless exigent circumstances exist. The officer must be able to articulate their reason for utilizing their secondary handgun outside of these parameters.
Officers will be allowed (up to) two secondary handguns that can be carried on duty, however, only one secondary handgun may be carried at a time. A separate memo must be forwarded for each secondary handgun an officer desires to carry on duty, and the qualification requirements must be met.
If a secondary handgun is discharged in the line-of-duty, the handgun may be confiscated and held until such time as the investigation is completed. Once the investigation is completed, the handgun will be returned to the officer, unless otherwise ordered by a court of law. The department will not provide the officer a department-issued secondary handgun during the investigation period.