The authorized handgun issued by the Department shall be a 9mm Luger caliber (9mm Parabellum) semi-automatic handgun as specified by the Weapons Training Unit.
In lieu of carrying the Department-issued semi-automatic handgun, sworn members may elect to carry Department authorized optional handguns on-duty, off-duty, or as secondary on-duty back-up weapons.
The use of revolvers, or .380 caliber handguns, as the primary on-duty handgun for armed members is not authorized.
The Weapons Training Unit shall maintain a list of Department-authorized handguns at the Biscailuz Armory and on their intranet website.
Members shall not carry any unauthorized firearm on-duty, off-duty, or for back-up.
Members working a field assignment or conducting tactical operations shall carry a Department-authorized on-duty semi-automatic handgun.
Sworn members working in business attire or in a uniformed administrative capacity may carry a Department-authorized off-duty semi-automatic handgun (excluding .380 caliber handguns) in lieu of an on-duty handgun. In addition, sworn members shall carry a minimum of one fully loaded magazine on their person to reload their handgun. When working in business attire, the handgun barrel, slide, or holster shall not extend below the bottom edge of the coat or other similar apparel.
Sworn members (on-duty or off-duty, while in uniform or plain clothes) carrying any Department-authorized back-up or off-duty handgun, as a secondary handgun, must securely carry the weapon concealed from view. In no case shall it be carried on the duty belt or exposed in any way.
Sworn members assigned to Detective Division may, with sufficient justification, request approval from the Detective Division Chief to carry handguns other than those which are authorized. The Detective Division Chief, in concurrence with the Department Rangemaster, may authorize their use. Authorization shall not be granted when use of the handgun is prohibited by any other Department policy. Any handgun authorized for use by the Detective Division Chief shall be inspected by the Senior Department Armorer for serviceability prior to deployment and shall be chambered for currently authorized handgun ammunition. Only currently authorized duty ammunition shall be used.
The Department Rangemaster, in consultation with the Senior Department Armorer, may authorize sworn full-time members of the Weapons Training Unit to carry and use firearms, firearms accessories, and related equipment that may be regulated by this and other provisions of Department policy, for the purpose of testing, evaluation, and/or training.
Department members shall carry any authorized semi-automatic handgun used on-duty, off-duty or as a secondary weapon in the following manner:
Loaded, with a round in the chamber;
Magazine loaded to the magazine manufacturer’s specified capacity;
Hammer of a single action pistol cocked (i.e. 1911 pistols);
External hammer of a double action pistol de-cocked; and
External safety in the on position, if equipped.
Sworn members shall carry any authorized revolver used off-duty or as a secondary weapon with the cylinder loaded to capacity and hammer de-cocked (double action).
All personally owned handguns carried on-duty or off-duty, including secondary handguns, must be recorded by the Weapons Training Unit for entry into the Department’s Weapons Management Portal as outlined in section 3-03/210.15, “Firearms Recording” of the Department’s Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) prior to carrying them.
All sworn members who desire to carry a Department-authorized revolver or semi-automatic pistol on-duty, off-duty, or for back-up other than the handgun issued them by the Department, must attend and satisfactorily complete an instructional and qualification course conducted by the Weapons Training Unit staff for that specific series or type of handgun, prior to carrying that handgun. Members seeking this training shall do so on their own time and at their own expense.
Grips
All authorized handguns shall have standard type wood, plastic, metal, or hard rubber grips. Stag, ivory, pink, blue, orange, yellow, red or light-colored grips and grips with ornamentation are prohibited.
Members may, at their own expense, equip their Department-issued handgun with aftermarket grips as specified by the Weapons Training Unit. With the exception of grips for the Smith & Wesson M&P pistol, grips shall only be installed by the Weapons Training Unit.
Pistol Magazines
Only magazines manufactured by the pistol manufacturer, or those listed on the Weapons Training Unit website for specific pistols, are authorized for both on-and off-duty use.
Magazines shall not exceed an overall length of 140 mm (5.511 inches). Modifying or adding extensions to magazines to increase their capacity is prohibited. Any additional pistol magazine specifications and requirements shall be determined by the Department Rangemaster and Senior Department Armorer and will be maintained on the Weapons Training Unit intranet site.
Maintenance
Firearms shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times. Armed members whose firearm have been dropped or who have a question regarding the safety, condition, or proper function of their firearm shall have it inspected by qualified armory personnel at the Biscailuz Center Armory.
The Department armorers are responsible for inspecting and making repairs to all Department-issued firearms. Firearm repairs shall not be performed by anyone not currently assigned to the Biscailuz Center Armory.
Modifications
Armed members shall not make, nor shall they permit to be made, any modification(s) to any Department-approved handgun used on-duty, off-duty, or as back up without the approval of the Senior Department Armorer. Prohibited modifications include but are not limited to, refinishing, slide milling, frame stippling, parts replacement, and polishing of components.
Safety Devices
Any modification to a factory installed safety device shall only be done by the Senior Department Armorer or designee.
Trigger Shoe
The use of a trigger shoe accessory on any Department-authorized handgun carried by a member is prohibited.
Used Firearms
Sworn members purchasing used handguns to be used in an official Department capacity shall submit them to the Biscailuz Center Armory for inspection and approval, prior to using such handguns on-duty, off-duty, or for back-up. Refer to section 5-09/400.00, “Used Firearms Purchased for Department Use - approval Procedure,” of the MPP.