Patrol Rifle

Policy

382

Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department

Orange County SD Policy Manual

Published with permission by Orange County Sheriff-Coroner

Department

Patrol Rifle - 1

Patrol Rifle

382.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This policy establishes procedures for the acquisition, use, and documentation of training in the

use of a patrol rifle. The Sheriff or his/her designee shall approve all Department patrol rifles before

they are acquired and utilized by any Member of this Department.

382.2 PRIVATE PURCHASE OF PATROL RIFLES FOR DUTY USE

California Penal Code Section 30630, subdivision (a) allows for the possession or use of an assault

weapon by a sworn peace officer for a law enforcement purpose, whether on or off duty. Section

30630, subdivision (b) allows for the delivery, transfer, and sale of an assault weapon to a sworn

peace officer provided that the peace officer is authorized by his or her employer to possess or

receive the assault weapon.

Required authorization is defined as verifiable written certification from the head of the agency,

identifying the recipient or possessor of the assault weapon as a peace officer and authorizing

him or her to receive or possess that specific assault weapon, CPC 30630 (b) (1). To request

this written certification from the Sheriff, sworn personnel may submit the request to the Firearms

Training Unit (FTU) Sergeant. The serial number and description of the weapon shall be recorded

and maintained by Range Armory.

Current California law does not allow for the conversion of an assault weapon to a California

compliant weapon (i.e., bullet button) nor does the current California law allow for a

California compliant weapon to be converted, registered, and utilized as an assault weapon by

on or off duty sworn personnel.

Purchase and retention of weapons under this program are subject to changes in California and/or

Federal law. It is the responsibility of the Member to ensure his/her compliance with any applicable

law, including registration requirements, and adherence to Department policy.

382.2.1 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR PATROL RIFLES

1. Caliber: 5.56 x 45mm or .223

2. Semiautomatic ONLY. No select fire (full auto or burst) weapons shall be authorized

for private purchase

3. Barrel Length: 16", 18", and 20"

(a) Barrel over-all length MUST be minimum of 16"

(b) No short barreled rifles (SBR's) shall be authorized (CPC 33210)

4. Barrel Twist: 1:7", 1:8", and 1:9"

5. Stock: Collapsible only to accommodate rifle racks

6. Sights: Fixed or folding back-up iron sights/Upper receiver: Flattop (A3 style)

Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department

Orange County SD Policy Manual

Patrol Rifle

Published with permission by Orange County Sheriff-Coroner

Department

Patrol Rifle - 2

7. Upper/Lower Receiver MUST be from the same manufacturer

8. Color: Black, green, or tan

382.2.2 AUTHORIZED MANUFACTURERS

An addendum of Department-approved authorized manufacturers shall be maintained by the

Training Division Commander.

382.2.3 AUTHORIZED ACCESSORIES

1. Weapon mounted lights (WML) from SureFire, Streamlight, or any manufacturer of

similar quality are authorized.

(a) Members shall receive WML training as part of their 40 hour Patrol Rifle Course.

(b) Members must qualify with the WML in low light conditions once per year, either

on the TTR or during their annual recertification training.

2. Sighting systems from Aimpoint, EOTech, Leupold, Trijicon, or any manufacturer of

similar quality are authorized.

(a) If an approved sighting system is installed on the weapon, back-up iron sights

must be installed as well.

3. Rifle slings must be of quality construction and SHALL NOT impair the user's ability

to manipulate the weapon.

4. Privately purchased magazines MUST be from a quality brand name manufacture.

5. No "Air Soft Weapon" type products or accessories will be authorized. These "look-

a- like" products or accessories are often made to look like "name brand" products

but are of poor quality.

6. The weapon and any accessories to include magazines, weapon mounted lights,

sighting devices, and slings must be inspected and approved by a certified Range

armorer. Members are encouraged to solicit the make and model numbers of approved

weapons and accessory items prior to the purchase of said items.

382.3 PARTICIPATION, CERTIFICATION, AND INSPECTION

1. Participation in the Department's C.I.R.T. Program is based on the Member's

assignment. The approval of program participation is at the sole discretion of the

Department.

2. As part of the certification process, Members must attend and pass the P.O.S.T.

approved 40-hour Patrol Rifle Course and attend a P.O.S.T. approved 20-hour

recertification course annually. Patrol Rifle Courses shall be scheduled as needed

to meet the needs of the Department. Members should consider the availability of

the mandatory training and receive approval from their chain of command prior to

purchasing a rifle for use while on duty.

3. Subsequent annual inspections shall be consistent with the Department policy on

primary and secondary weapons.

Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department

Orange County SD Policy Manual

Patrol Rifle

Published with permission by Orange County Sheriff-Coroner

Department

Patrol Rifle - 3

382.4 QUALIFICATION

1. All mandated qualifications (yearly, monthly, etc.) apply and shall be consistent with

the requirements of the Patrol Rifle (C.I.R.T.) Program. Failure to qualify may result

in the on-duty use privilege being revoked.

2. CIRT Members and SWAT Team Members shall adhere to their specified qualification

procedures.

3. Deputies assigned a C.I.R.T. rifle shall receive three hours overtime per qualification

if unable to qualify during normal scheduled hours.

382.5 STORAGE

For privately owned Patrol Rifles refer to Policy 380.10 STORAGE OF FIREARMS. Department

owned Patrol Rifles need to be stored in a Department Armory between shifts.

382.6 SEPARATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT AND DISCONTINUANCE OF PEACE

OFFICER STATUS

1. Upon the Member's separation from the Department, and if the Member has not

transferred to be a peace officer with an agency specified in Penal Code section 30625,

Members who have purchased an assault weapon under the above listed guidelines

shall surrender the stripped serialized lower receiver of the weapon to the Department

or transfer the weapon to a state where an assault weapon is legal to possess by a

private citizen.

2. With the exception of the stripped serialized lower receiver, ALL remaining parts of the

weapon are legal to possess and can be transferred to a California Compliant lower

receiver if the Member separates from the Department and does not transfer to be a

peace officer with an agency specified in Penal Code Section 30625.