Weapons Handling In Police Departments?

Question

In Military Police we have our service weapon issued at the armory and we have to load and unload our weapons at a clearing barrel. What are civil police departments weapons handlings regs?

Answer 1

I was in the military police for 5 years and now I have been a civilian police officer for the last 5 years. There is a big difference between the way the Military does it and the civilian world.

Military gets issued a weapon daily at guard mount from the armory.

Civilian police depending on the department are issued a weapon, or have to purchase the weapon themselves. Either way it is their responsibility to bring to work with them every day. They do not check it out of the arms room before shift.

Military have to load their weapon at a clearing barrel at the start of the shift and unload it at a clearing barrel at the end of shift. If I remember right it was also against policy to have a round chambered.

Civilian police carry their weapons already loaded and yes on is in the chamber. If for some reason the weapon has to be unloaded or loaded, my department does have a clearing barrel for that.

The hardest thing I had to get use to was transporting my handgun in a personally owned vehicle (POV). In the Military that is strictly forbidden.

Answer 2

As was prior stated some officers do have take home service arms/weapons. However, some departments you must turn them in. i.e. Sheriffs Dept.

Some policy's and procedures state you complete an administrative unload, place the weapon of the container, pull back the slide, retrieve the round and secure the weapon as instructed.


Mike

Answer 3

Most PD's issues a weapon to the officer and the officer is responsible for that weapon thru the duration of his career.

Answer 4

All departments have different policies, but for the most part, all law enforcement are armed (locked and loaded)going and coming off duty and even carry off duty.