Use of Force and Firearms

Approved Weapons & Weapon Equipment

I. POLICY

It is the policy of the Field Enforcement Bureau (FEB) to approve only those weapons deemed to be of quality manufacture and which are reliable, accurate, and safe, for use in the performance of duty.

The firearms instructors will meet periodically to assess FEB’s firearms equipment needs. The instructors will make recommendations to the Director or designee, who will have final approval, on all weapons, ammunitions, and related firearms accessories which will be authorized for both on and off-duty use.

II. DISQUALIFICATION OF FIREARM

To ensure that only reliable firearms are being used by agents, any firearm that malfunctions more than once during qualification firing will immediately be disapproved for further use. The agent must have the firearm examined by an instructor or armorer, then repaired, and then must re-qualify with it before the weapon is authorized for further use in the performance of duty.

All repairs or adjustments to agency-owned weapons will only be performed by approved armorers. Personally owned weapons will be repaired by factory certified armorers or gunsmiths.

III. ISSUED HANDGUNS

The Glock Model 45 9MM caliber pistol is the standard issue pistol for all sworn personnel.

IV. SUBSTITUTE GRIPS

A. Substitute grips are prohibited unless special circumstances arise. Examples of special circumstances are shooters with extremely small or large hands, or shooters with some other physical characteristic that restricts use of the generic grip of the issued pistol.

B. The Director or Deputy Director, upon consultation with agency firearm instructors and after identifying a special circumstance, may approve an alternate grip.

V. HANDGUNS APPROVED FOR PERSONAL USE

A. Approved Manufacturers

Firearms manufactured by the following companies are approved for personal use by agents in the performance of duty, subject to the requirements of Index Code 402. These manufacturers’ products provide sufficient options to meet all agents’ needs. Manufacturers are necessarily restricted to ensure that approved weapons are only those produced by companies with an established record of quality and dependability. In addition, the number of approved manufacturers must be limited to ensure instructors can stay abreast of the design characteristics of approved weapons.

  1. Beretta
  2. Browning
  3. Colt
  4. Glock
  5. H & K
  6. Ruger
  7. Sig Sauer
  8. Smith & Wesson
  9. Walther
  10. Kahr
  11. Kimber
  12. Springfield
  13. Taurus

B. Authorized Calibers

  1. 9x19 millimeter (also known as 9mm Luger or 9mm Parabellum)
  2. .380 ACP
  3. .40 S&W
  4. .45 ACP
  5. .38
  6. .357
  7. .45 GAP
  8. .357 SIG

C. Models & Operating Characteristics

In lieu of listing the various models of approved firearms produced by the above listed manufacturers, the following operating characteristics will be used to determine the suitability of the firearm for approved use:

  1. The firearm must be a double action/single action semi-automatic handgun capable of being de-cocked without manually lowering the hammer, OR
  2. Have a safe action (Glock style) which does not have to be de-cocked, OR
  3. Be a double action only, which does not require de-cocking.

VI. AMMUNITION

A. Agents must carry the Bureaus’ current issued duty ammunition in their duty weapon. The Director or Deputy Director, after consultation with agency firearms instructors, will approve duty ammunition.

B. Off duty ammunition must be a jacketed hollow point round, produced by a reputable manufacturer. No hand loaded or reloaded ammunition will be authorized.

VII. HOLSTERS & MAGAZINE POUCHES

A. Glock Model 45 – Duty Holster/Magazine Pouches

The Director or Deputy Director, after consultation with agency firearms instructors, will approve the appropriate duty weapon holster and magazine pouches. Only those holsters and magazine pouches that are manufactured and designed to hold and carry the duty weapon and associated magazines will be approved.

B. Other Holsters/Magazine Pouches

Holsters and magazine pouches other than the issued duty holster are authorized for personnel working in administrative functions, or while attending court during off-duty hours. Holsters must have a positive retention device that will keep the weapon secure if placed in the inverted position. They must also be manufactured and designed to carry the duty or approved off duty weapon.

VIII. LESS-LETHAL WEAPONS

Approved “Less-Lethal” weapons may be deployed by trained personnel during any incident in which their use may provide an alternative to resolve incidents in a less lethal manner.

IX. APPROVED LESS-LETHAL WEAPONS

The following less-lethal weapons are approved for use by trained personnel:

A. Straight Batons

ASP Expandable Baton

B. Chemical Sprays

Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) stream spray

C. Only personnel who have received the appropriate training with the ASP expandable baton or OC spray, are authorized to carry and use these less-lethal weapons. This training must be compliant with the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission.

X. WEAPONS OF OPPORTUNITY

This is an object that an agent uses to apply force to another individual and which has not been previously listed in this index code. If a weapon of opportunity is used to gain control and compliance, its use will be governed by the same standards as established in the Bureau’s Use of Force Policy. Examples of weapons of opportunity include, but are not limited to, flashlights and handcuffs.

XI. OWNERSHIP OF FIREARMS CONDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT

Federal law imposes a waiting period for ownership of certain firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition feeding devices and/or magazines. A bona fide law enforcement Officer may be granted a waiver to  the firearms waiting period if the weapon to be purchased is for use in an official law enforcement capacity. In such cases, the law usually requires written approval from an Officer’s employer for the Officer to be exempt from the purchasing waiting period. It is the Bureau’s policy in such cases to approve employee requests to purchase only those firearms, ammunition feeding devices, and accessories that are necessary to accomplish the law enforcement mission and approved for law enforcement use.

Employees seeking Bureau authorization or employment verification to apply for an exemption to the waiting period for the purchase of a firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition, should submit a written request to the Deputy Director, who has the authority to review, approve, or deny such requests on behalf of the Bureau.

XII: CLEANING & SAFETY PROCEDURES

A. Purpose:

To ensure the safe and effective cleaning of Glock Model 45, and to prevent negligent discharges during maintenance by requiring the use of a chamber safety device during disassembly.

B. Scope:

This policy applies to all personnel authorized to handle and clean Glock Model 45 firearms within the department or organization.

C. Procedure:

  1. Safety First – Initial Handling
    • Always treat the firearm as if it is loaded.
    • Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard.
    • Always point the firearm in a safe direction.
  2. Unloading the Firearm
    • Ensure you are in a designated safe area for firearm cleaning.
    • Remove the magazine by pressing the magazine release.
    • With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, rack the slide fully to the rear and lock it open using the slide stop.
    • Visually and physically inspect the chamber, magazine well, and breech face to confirm the firearm is completely unloaded.
  3. Inserting Barrel Safety Device
    • Insert departmental issued safety flag designed for 9mm pistols into the chamber from the ejection port.
    • The device should: Clearly indicate the chamber is empty.
    • Prevent accidental chambering of a live round.
    • Not obstruct disassembly.
  4. Disassembling the Glock Model 45
    • Insert the chamber safety device.
    • Point the firearm in a safe direction.
    • Pull the trigger (only after verifying the firearm is unloaded).
    • Pull the slide back slightly (about 1/8 inch) and pull down the takedown levers on both sides.
    • Ease the slide forward off the frame.
    • Remove the recoil spring assembly and barrel from the slide.
  5. Cleaning
    • Clean the barrel, slide, frame, and recoil spring assembly using approved solvents and lubricants.
    • Wipe all parts dry and reapply lubricant as per Glock factory recommendations.
  6. Reassembly
    • Insert the barrel into the slide.
    • Install the recoil spring assembly.
    • Reattach the slide to the frame.
    • Perform a function check:
      • Rack the slide.
      • Dry fire (in a safe direction).
      • Check reset and trigger function.
      • Reinsert chamber safety device for transport/storage if needed.
  7. Equipment Required
    • Cleaning kit (brush, patches, solvent, lubricant)
    • Chamber safety device (e.g., 9mm barrel block, safety flag, or SafeTPlug)
    •  Safety glasses and gloves
    • Designated cleaning area with clearing barrel if available
  8. Training Requirements
    • All personnel must be trained in:
      • Safe firearm handling procedures
      • Proper Glock disassembly/cleaning
      • Use of chamber safety devices
  9. Policy Compliance

Failure to follow this policy may result in disciplinary action, revocation of firearm privileges, or other administrative action, depending on the nature of the violation.

XIII: CANCELLATION

NONE