7.1. SR 10-17-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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will fIre. Safe action is a cocked and locked pistol that is carried with an internal fIring pin and a trigger safety that must be engaged prior to the weapon being fIred. There are several primary issues of potential liability that present themselves with what we currendy carry. They are: 1) The difference between the three primary action systems (Single, double and safe) are signifIcant. It can be compared to driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission and one with a manual transmission. The way they are both oper- ated and trained on is vasdy different. One single method of training will not work with all offIcers. 2) OffIcers who would happen to have to use another offIcer's weapon, possibly in an emergency situation would be unfamiliar with the other offIcer's weapon, as we do not cross train offIcers on the other brands or systems. 3) Training has to be modifIed or adapted to each style of weapon. 4) Each model carries either a different caliber of atntnunition, or the carrying ca- pacity of the magazine if vasdy different. Some weapons only carry seven rounds in a magazine; some carry as many as fIfteen rounds. 5) Magazines are not interchangeable between weapons. Two offIcers working with each other could not share atntnunition, as their weapons may not be the same caliber, style or magazine make. 6) The difference between the kinetics and operational properties of a 9tntn bullet, and a .45 caliber round are extreme. 7) We have offIcers trained to maintain and repair fIve different brands of weapons, with multiple models and spare parts for each being maintained in our inventory. This is expensive and time consuming. 8) We don't own the weapon-the offIcer does. This is the largest concern. Where was it bought? How old is it? Is it well maintained? Has it been altered? It is the only piece of personally owned equipment the offIcer is allowed to carry-and the one piece of equipment that has the largest potential liability associated with it. I have done extensive research of the liability aspects of personally owned weapons, and without fail, all research as well as related court decisions involving offIcer involved shoot- ings, clearly illustrates that issuing a departmental weapon to all offIcers, offers the greatest reduction in liability, and it is the standard by which almost all departments nationwide oper- ate. The reduction of liability occurs through the following means: 1) The department purchases the weapons new, they know they are in factory con- dition and meet all departmental specifIcations. 2) Training for all offIcers can be conducted the same, utilizing course and training materials that are the same for all offIcers, as all weapons function alike. There is one brand, one model and one caliber for all. 3) Atntnunition standards can be more easily maintained as only one caliber of am- munition is purchased and issued to all offIcers.