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Title Administration / Policy B-7
Effective Date 9-1-04
Rescinds 8-1-04
Subject Firearms and Qualification Standards
Purpose To implement qualification standards and establish policy for range use.
Scope This directive applies to commissioned officers.
Reference System Policy D-1
CALEA 1.3.9, 1.3.10, 1.3.11, 1.3.12
  1. System Police Firearms Qualification Program:
    1. Upon graduation from the University of Texas System Police Academy and during the orientation program, officers authorized to carry lethal and less-lethal weapons will be issued copies of and instructed on policy A-12. Once annually, during a firearms qualification period, officers will receive documented in-service training on policy A-12. Documentation on written directive training conducted at the range should be forwarded to the training division.
    2. Twice each year, all commissioned personnel will be required to fire a qualifying score with the weapon they are authorized to carry.
    3. A report of the results of firearms training will be submitted to the Director of Police.
      Qualification PeriodReport Due Date
      September – FebruaryMarch 15
      March – AugustSeptember 15
    4. Each report of results of firearms training should include the names of officers participating, scores, and the location of the range where training was conducted.
    5. A firearms record reflecting scores and dates of the qualification will be maintained by the training section. Only employees demonstrating proficiency in the use of department authorized weapons will be approved to carry such weapons.
  2. Plainclothes Duty:
    1. When assigned to plain-clothes duty, officers may use their issued firearm or departmental approved personal firearm. Qualification with the departmental issued or approved weapon will be accomplished once each year in one of the range firing sessions, using departmental-furnished ammunition. Qualification with any personally owned weapon in addition to the yearly requirement will be fired by arrangement with the range officer, using the officer’s personal ammunition.
  3. Use of the Pistol Range:
    1. The range will be open for firing by department members only as scheduled by the Range Master. The Range Master will designate firearms instructors for each firing date. The range may be opened and operated only by an authorized firearms instructor.
    2. At the discretion of the shift commanders, as approved by the division commander, attendance at practice sessions may be mandatory for officers who have demonstrated problems in attaining satisfactory scores in quarterly qualification firing. Attendance at practice sessions is encouraged for officers desiring to compete in UT System competition firing.
    3. Range safety rules will be observed at all times.
    4. The Range Master will consult with the System Assistant Director of Police for training prior to each scheduled use.
    5. The Range Master will post a sign-up sheet on the shift commander’s bulletin board prior to each firing session. Officers will enter their preferred shooting time on that sheet.
  4. Records:
    1. A complete record of all weapons approved by this department will be maintained by the Range Master. The “Personally Owned Firearm Authorization Form” includes the type, description, identifying model, serial number, and identity of the owner or assignee. This form also includes the name of the approving official, the date of approval, the course fired, and scores.