- B1 Promotions and TCLEOSE Proficiency Certification Commissioned Officers
- B2 Cash Receipts Control Petty Cash Funds
- B3 Community Trust / Law Enforcement Role and Authority
- B4 Internal Affairs
- B5 Emergency Information File
- B6 Equipment, Supplies, and Reference Sources
- B7 Firearms and Qualification Standards
- B8 Honor Guard/Color Guard
- B9 Immunization Program/Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis Vaccination
- B10 Shift Transfers
- B11 Line of Duty Death
- B12 Off-Duty or Secondary Employment
- B13 Organizational Structure
- B14 Procedures for Overtime Assignment
- B15 Police Service Award
- B16 Psychological Guidance / Assistance
- B17 Release of Information
- B18 Release of Information on Students
- B19 Liability Protection Program
- B20 Review of Fleet Collisions
- B21 Review of Personnel Records
- B22 Serial Accountability for Citations
- B23 Police Chaplain Program
- B24 Temporary Alternative Assignments
- B25 Use of Discretion
- B26 Written Directive System
- B27 Use of Outside Hardware and/or Software
- B28 Early Warning Intervention
- B29 Crime Analysis
- B30 Planning and Research
- B31 Administrative Reporting
| Title | Administration / Policy B-7 |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | 02-20-09 |
| Rescinds | 09-01-04 |
| 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 | Chapter 1 |
- System Police Firearms Qualification Program:
- 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 (Use of Force). 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.
- Twice each year, all commissioned personnel will be required to fire a qualifying score with the weapon they are authorized to carry.
- A report of the results of firearms training will be submitted to the Director of Police.
Qualification Period Report Due Date January - June July 15 July - December January 15 - Results will be reported on the System Firearms Qualification sheet.
- 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.
- Plainclothes Duty:
- When assigned to plain-clothes duty, officers may use their issued firearm or departmental approved personal firearm. 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.
- Firearms Ranges:
- DPS Range
- The DPS range will be the first range utilized for qualifications so that officers can qualify with pistols, rifles, and shotguns. The range will be reserved by the Range Master utilizing the DPS Range Request form.
- 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 will only be operated by an authorized firearms instructor.
- Firearms training will be conducted on the same day as qualifications. Training will include a mix of new concepts, active shooter scenarios, and target recognition exercises.
- Range safety rules will be observed at all times.
- The Range Master will post a sign-up sheet prior to each firing session. Supervisors will assign officer's range times.
- UT System Police Academy Pistol Range
- If the DPS range is not available, the System Police Academy range will be used for pistol and shotgun qualifications.
- 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 will be opened and operated only by an authorized firearms instructor.
- 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 challenges in attaining satisfactory scores in the semi-annual qualification firing. Attendance at practice sessions is encouraged for officers desiring to compete in UT System competition firing.
- Range safety rules will be observed at all times.
- The Range Master will consult with the System Assistant Director of Police for training prior to each scheduled use.
- The Range Master will post a sign-up sheet prior to each firing session. Supervisors will assign officers’ range times.
- DPS Range
- Records:
- A complete record of all firearms 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.
