When practical and in consideration of varying inmate and weapon security conditions at the different facilities serviced by this Bureau, Transportation Bureau personnel will utilize the weapons storage box in their assigned vehicle, whenever unarmed inmate escort is required. In all cases, these boxes will be utilized when there is no gun locker or its equivalent at a particular facility. Unoccupied cages of a vehicle are not to be used as temporary storage for weapons.
Weapon boxes, whether empty or not, will be kept locked at all times, except when depositing or removing a weapon.
Deputies are responsible for ensuring that the safest possible weapon procedures are followed in each instance. Although the weapon boxes will be securely mounted and locked, no lock is inviolate when the person who desires entry is given ample opportunity or tools to defeat the lock. Do not ever assume that the locked box provides total security for weapons.