ODNR DIRECTIVE
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| TO: |
LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISIONS |
| FROM: |
ODNR DIRECTOR
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| SUBJECT: |
Firearms Qualification Course
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| Effective |
October 16, 2000 |
| Purpose |
To define Firearms Qualification Course in accordance with the requirements set by OPOTC and the Ohio Revised Code. |
| Authority |
Director, ODNR |
| Reference |
ORC 109.801
ORC 2923.11
Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy |
| Resource |
ODNR Law Enforcement Administrator and/or Chief Legal Counsel |
Firearms Qualification Course
Disciplinary Guidelines:
Failure to pass a Division Firearms Qualification Course with any Division issued weapon provides just cause to initiate disciplinary action. A progressive disciplinary program is essential due to the need to enhance the safety of the officer, the public, other officers and employees, and to protect the Department from substantial financial liability.
- Disciplinary Schedule
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SESSION
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FAILURE TO QUALIFY
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FIRST SESSION QUALIFICATION
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Verbal Reprimand
Administrative Duties / No Uniform
Individual Training Program
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SECOND SESSION QUALIFICATION
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Written Reprimand
Administrative Duties / No Uniform
Second Session Remedial Training Program
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THIRD SESSION QUALIFICATION
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3 day suspension
Administrative Duties / No Uniform
Third Session Remedial Training Program
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FOURTH SESSION QUALIFICATION
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10 day suspension
Administrative Duties / No Uniform
Fourth Session Remedial Training Program
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FIFTH SESSION QUALIFICATION
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Removal |
- First Session Qualification At annual firearm qualifications an officer will be given three attempts to demonstrate proficiency. One passing attempt will show proficiency.
Officers are qualified for one year with the firearm they qualified with. However, if an officer is on disability leave during firearm qualification, the officer must re-qualify on return to duty.
1. Officer will be issued a verbal reprimand for failure to qualify
2. Administrative Duty or leave:
- While on administrative duty, the officer will not have the authority to make arrests, or be authorized to carry the Division issued service weapon, shotgun, or approved weapons.
- Officer will not wear the Divisions uniform, except when training and/or participating in the Second Session Qualification
- Officer must be scheduled for Second Session Qualification within 5 working days of the initial failure.
- The officer will be assigned to a Division firearm instructor for an individualized training program. The firearm instructor will evaluate and determine the guidelines for this training. The Division firearm instructor may conduct the re-qualification at the completion of the individualized training. The instructor may have the officer report to another location for the second session qualification. When re-qualifying, the officer will shoot the entire course of fire.
2. Second Session Qualification - An officer will be given three attempts to demonstrate proficiency. One passing attempt will show proficiency.
Officers are qualified for one year with the firearm they qualified with. However, if an officer is on disability leave during firearm qualification, the officer must re-qualify on return to duty.
1. Officer will be issues a written reprimand for failure to qualify.
2. Placed on administrative duty or leave:
- While on administrative duty, the officer will not have the authority to make arrests, or be authorized to carry the Division issued service weapon, shotgun, or approved weapons.
- Officer will not wear the Divisions uniform, except when scheduled for the Second Session Remedial Training Program and/or participating in the Third Session Qualification.
- The Third Session Qualification must occur within 5 working days of the second failure.
- The officer will be assigned to a Division firearm instructor for the Second Session Remedial Training Program. The Division Law Enforcement Section will designate the guidelines for this training. The division firearm instructor may conduct the qualification at the completion of the remedial session. The instructor may have the officer report to another location for the Third Session Qualification. When qualifying, the officer will shoot the entire course of fire.
3. Third Session - An officer will be given three attempts to demonstrate proficiency. One passing attempt will show proficiency.
Officers are qualified for one year with the firearm they qualified with. However, if an officer is on disability leave during firearm qualification, the officer must re-qualify on return to duty.
1. Officer will be issued a 3-day suspension for failure to qualify.
2. Placed on administrative duty or leave:
a. While on administrative duty, the officer will not have the authority to make arrests, or be authorized to carry the Division issued service weapon, shotgun, or approved weapons.
b. Officer will not wear the Divisions uniform, except when scheduled for the Third Session Remedial Training Program and/or participating in the Fourth Session Qualification.
c. The Fourth Session Qualification must occur within 5 working days after serving the 3-day suspension.
d. The officer will be assigned to a Division firearm instructor for the Third Session Remedial Training Program. The Division Law Enforcement Section will designate the guidelines for this training. The division firearm instructor may conduct the qualification at the completion of the remedial session. The instructor may have the officer report to another location for the Fourth Session Qualification. When qualifying, the officer will shoot the entire course of fire.
4. Fourth Session - An officer will be given three attempts to demonstrate proficiency. One passing attempt will show proficiency.
Officers are qualified for one year with the firearm they qualified with. However, if an officer is on disability leave during firearm qualification, the officer must re-qualify on return to duty.
1. Officer will be issued a 10-day suspension for failure to qualify.
2. Placed on administrative duty or leave:
a. While on administrative duty, the officer will not have the authority to make arrests, or be authorized to carry the Division issued service weapon, shotgun, or approved weapons.
b. Officer will not wear the Divisions uniform, except when scheduled for the Fourth Session Remedial Training Program and/or participating in the Fifth Session Qualification.
c. The Fifth Session Qualification must occur within 5 working days after serving the 10-day suspension.
d. The officer will be assigned to a Division firearm instructor for the Fourth Session Remedial Training Program. The Division Law
Enforcement Section will designate the guidelines for this training. The division firearm instructor may conduct the qualification at the
completion of the remedial session. The instructor may have the officer report to another location for the Fifth Session Qualification. When qualifying, the officer will shoot the entire course of fire.
5. Fifth Session Qualification- An officer will be given three attempts to demonstrate proficiency. One passing attempt will show proficiency.
Officers are qualified for one year with the firearm they qualified with. However, if an officer is on disability leave during firearm qualification, the officer must re-qualify on return to duty.
1. Officer will be placed on administrative duty or leave until a pre-disciplinary termination hearing can be scheduled for failure to qualify.
2. While on administrative duty or leave, the officer will not have the authority to make arrests. A firearm instructor will retain the officers weapon and badges and a hand receipt will be issued.
3. Officer will not wear the divisions uniform.
B. These guidelines shall be followed regarding the issuance of discipline at the various Sessions of qualification. (Note: Three attempts will be provided at each Session.) Disciplinary action will be taken after each failed Session.
C. Discipline after failure of First Session Qualification will be expedited to ensure the officer does not perform further law enforcement duties. The officer will be limited to performing maintenance and/or administrative duties until qualification is achieved and will not wear the duty uniform or carry the duty weapon or shotgun.
D. Consistent with the disciplinary provisions of the contract, reprimands will remain in effect for 12 months and suspensions for 24 months. Failure to qualify over successive attempts will result in progressive disciplinary actions.
E. In the event prior disciplinary action in the form of suspension has been imposed and still is active, pursuant to the ODNR Disciplinary Policy, said discipline may be taken into consideration to abide by the principles of progressive discipline. Conversely, when an employee fails to qualify, prior to disciplinary action in the form of a reprimand for rule violations other than "failure to qualify" shall not be considered or used to initiate progressive disciplinary measures for "failure to qualify".
F. EXEMPTIONS: Physical restrictions will be acknowledged when a documented, medical excuse is presented at the time of qualification. Documented permanent physical restrictions will be acknowledged and where practicable, an alternative firing sequence may be agreed upon before qualification. Alternative firing sequences must be approved by OPOTA.
G. Failure to qualify due to a substantiated equipment/ammunition problem, not the fault of the officer, will allow the officer to re-attempt each of previous attempts if a problem existed.
H. Officers will be given three attempts to demonstrate proficiency with their second weapons. Those officers who fail to demonstrate proficiency with their second weapon will not receive any discipline or be authorized to carry the second weapon. Officers who do not show proficiency may not carry the second weapon, but may attempt to qualify at another qualification session. Officers who show proficiency will be qualified for one year.
I. Officers that are assigned other approved firearms must be trained and proficient in the use of those weapons. Officers authorized to carry them will be given three attempts to show proficiency. The officer who shows proficiency will be qualified for one year.
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