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

California law allows sworn officers of the Probation Department to carry firearms with the authorization of the Chief Probation Officer. The deployment of shotguns will be reserved for situations that have an increased potential for danger or deadly force and the officer has reason to believe the deployment of a shotgun will contribute to the safe resolution of the incident or diminish risk to officers or the public.

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

•  Supervising Deputy Probation Officers (SDPO)
• Senior Deputy Probation Officers (DPO IIIs)
• Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) officers; 
•  Current Department Range Masters
• Adult gang caseload officer

1.  Eligibility Criteria-the criteria for authorization to use a shotgun shall be as follows: 
   1.  Successful completion of the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department certified shotgun training course.
   2. Maintain quarterly qualification consistent with the Department shotgun course of fire.
2.  The authorized use of the shotgun 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.  Shotgun Deployment
   1.  Guidelines for deployment of shotgun include but is 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.
   2.  Shotguns in the field will be locked in a County vehicle outfitted with a shotgun locking mount when not deployed.
      1.  The officer having control of the shotgun is responsible for ensuring that there is no shell in the chamber, the magazine tube is fully loaded, the hammer is not cocked, and the weapon is on safe unless being readied for immediate use while deployed for field use.
4.   Shotgun Storage
   1.  Shotguns shall be stored in the Department armory when not in the field.   
      1.  The officer having control of the shotgun is responsible for ensuring there is no shell in the chamber, magazine tube is unloaded, safety is on and properly secured in the safe/weapon rack.
   2.  Exception: Officers assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Task Force will be issued a shotgun
      1.  When the Department owned shotgun is at the officer’s residence, it is the responsibility of the officer to keep the shotgun in a safe and secure place with the Department supplied trigger lock installed on the shotgun or stored in a California approved locked gun safe/gun locker; or
      2.  May be stored at the Sheriff’s Office in a Sheriff-approved gun locker when off duty.

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