I. AUTHORITY

This policy is issued under authority granted to the Chief Probation Officer.

II. PURPOSE

California law allows sworn officers of the Probation Department to carry firearms with the authorization of the Chief Probation Officer.  The deployment of carbine rifles will be reserved for qualified deputy probation officers to effectively address situations with armed suspects who may have increased level of firepower and/or body armor. 

III. APPLICABILITY

This policy approves the use of carbine rifles by the following officers authorized to carry a firearm:

1. Current Department Rangemasters 
2. Deputy Probation Officer IIIs currently assigned to the Sheriff’s Gang Task Force, Narcotics Unit, or Community Action Team assignment.

DEPARTMENT APPROVED CARBINE RIFLE

1. The department approved carbine rifle is the semi-automatic Ruger Mini-14 in caliber 5.56 NATO with an 18’ barrel length.
2. No personally owned rifles or ammunition may be carried for duty use.
3. No personally owned accessories or optics may be added.
4. No modification shall be made to any department carbine rifle without prior authorization of the Chief Probation Officer, in consultation, with the Senior Rangemaster.

VI. AMMUNITION

1. Only department approved duty ammunition shall be used.
   1. Officers approved to carry or deploy the carbine rifle will be issued department approved duty ammunition.  It is the officer’s responsibility to ensure the rifle is patrol ready with department approved ammunition in all issued magazines. 
   2. During qualifications and live fire training only department approved practice ammunition shall be used.
2. It is the officer’s responsibility to ensure the proper ammunition is used for field deployment, qualifications, and training.

IV. BACKGROUND

DEFINITION

A carbine rifle is an authorized weapon that is owned by the Probation Department, and which is made available to properly trained and qualified Deputy Probation Officers as a supplemental resource to their duty handgun or shotgun.

V. GENERAL POLICY

1. Eligibility Criteria--the criteria for authorization to use a carbine rifle shall be as follows:
   1.  Successful completion of the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department certified semi-automatic/carbine rifle training course or other Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified semi-automatic/carbine rifle operator course.
   2. Maintain quarterly qualification consistent with the Department Patrol Rifle course of fire.
   3. Any Deputy Probation Officer who fails to qualify or who fails to successfully complete two or more sanctioned training/qualification sessions within a calendar year will no longer be authorized to carry the patrol rifle without successfully retaking the initial certified semi-automatic/carbine rifle course.
2. The authorized use of the patrol rifle is conditional and may be suspended or revoked by the Chief Probation Officer or when the officer’s work assignment has changed and/or no longer meets eligibility requirements.
3. Each officer authorized to deploy a patrol rifle may be required to field strip and clean the patrol rifle as needed.
4. Each officer authorized shall be responsible for promptly reporting any damage or malfunction of a patrol rifle to the Senior Rangemaster.  
5. Patrol Rifle Deployment
   1. Guidelines for deployment of patrol rifles include but are not limited to:
      1. Situations where officers reasonably anticipate an armed encounter.
      2. The officer has information that a subject may be in possession of a firearm or other deadly weapon.
      3.  Situations that may require accurate and effective fire at long range.
      4. Situations where a Deputy Probation Officer expects the need to meet or exceed a suspect’s firepower.
      5. When a Deputy Probation Officer reasonably believes that a suspect may be wearing body armor.
      6. When authorized or requested by a supervisor.
   2. Patrol rifles in the field will be locked in a county vehicle outfitted with a rifle locking mount or California approved gun locker. The officer having control of the patrol rifle is responsible for ensuring the rifle is “patrol ready when not deployed.  “Patrol ready” means:
      1.  Inspected by the authorized Deputy Probation Officer
      2. The rifle safety is on
      3. The chamber is empty
      4. The rifle bolt is forward
      5. There is a fully loaded magazine in the rifle
6. Patrol Rifle Storage
   1. Patrol rifles shall be stored in the Department armory when not in the field.   The officer having control of the patrol rifle is responsible for ensuring the magazine is removed, there is no round in the chamber and the safety is on and properly secured in the armory safe/weapon rack.
   2. Exception: Deputy Probation Officer IIIs assigned to the Sheriff’s Department will be issued a patrol rifle.
      1. When the Department owned patrol rifle is at the officer’s residence, it is the responsibility of the officer to keep the patrol rifle with the Department supplied cable lock installed on the rifle and stored in a California approved locked gun safe/gun locker.
      2. The rifle shall not be stored in the assigned take home or personal vehicle when off duty.
      3. The rifle may be stored at the Sheriff’s Office in a Sheriff-approved gun safe/locker when off duty.

VI. EXCLUSIVITY

This policy will remain in effect until superseded or suspended in writing by the Chief Probation Officer and can be reviewed as needed.