FIREARM ISSUE D-290 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION - STORAGE AND ISSUE NO: D-290
FILE: FIREARM ISSUE
EFFECTIVE DATE: 04-30-91 REVISED: 12-25-94,04-01-96, 10-01-97,09-01-99,
07-01-20
AUTHORITY: Sheriff J. Zanoni APPROVED BY: Assistant SheriffT. Gattie
REFERENCE: Fresno County Sheriff's Office Policy 306 and Fresno County
Administrative Officer's Management Directives, Section 110.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish and maintain a consistent method forthe handling,
inventory, and storage of all firearms and ammunition assigned to the Fresno County
Sheriff's Office Jail Division.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that all issued firearms and
ammunition specified in this policy shall be stored and locked in the gun lockers located in
the Main Jail Armory when not in the possession of authorized correctional staff.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that only those officers
with the rank of Sergeant or above shall authorize entry into the Main Jail Armory.
The Sergeant (or higher ranking officer) authorizing entry into the Armory shall remain
present in the Central Control vestibule or the Armory while access is under way.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that only authorized Jail
Division personnel involved in duties in which they are required to carry a firearm and
ammunition shall be armed with a weapon authorized by the Sheriff's Office while on duty.
The assigned weapon shall be carried on their person in an authorized holster.
PROCEDURES:
I. WEAPON ASSIGNMENT FOR OFFICIAL DUTIES
A. Officers assigned to specialty units (e.g., the Escort/Transportation Team)
may be assigned a firearm for use while on-duty, and a gun locker to store
their weapon while off-duty. The supervising sergeant will be responsible
for the assignment and inventory of all weapons and ammunition assigned
to unit members.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION - STORAGE AND ISSUE NO: D-290
FILE: FIREARM ISSUE
B. Officers whose official duties require the use of a weapon will be assigned
a holster and ammo pouch as part of their leather gear issue. These items
shall be maintained and readily accessible for use while on duty.
II. BALLISTIC VESTS
A. Ballistic vests are issued to all officers who are assigned a firearm for their
personal protection.
B. The use of ballistic vests is mandatory and officers are required to wear
their vest whenever they are engaged in off-site transporting or guarding
duties. Wear at other times is strongly recommended and encouraged. If
not worn, the vest shall be immediately available.
III. PROVISIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF HANDGUNS AND AMMUNITION
A. The Administrative Sergeants are responsible for the provisional
distribution of handguns and ammunition utilized by Jail Division
personnel. When an officer requires the temporary issuance of a handgun
and ammunition for the purpose of carrying out their official duties (e.g.,
ambulance transport, hospital detail, Range training, Honor Guard, etc.),
they shall report to the Administrative Sergeant.
1. Gun locker keys are located in the Administrative Sergeant's Office.
The on-duty sergeant shall assign a key and accompany the officer to
the Armory.
2. The sergeant shall remain present in the Central Control vestibule or
the Armory while the officer retrieves the ammunition, handgun and
holster from the assigned gun locker.
3. There shall be no more than three (3) officers accompanying the
Sergeant into the Armory at one time.
B. The Administrative Sergeant shall be responsible to document the
key/handgun assignments on the daily Sergeants Summary sheet, which
shall include the following:
1. Information regarding all inmates being guarded at off-site medical
facilities (i.e., the facility name and room number, inmate's name and
any special considerations (e.g., proxy, yellow suiter, federal inmate),
JID number, and name of officer(s) assigned to guard the inmate).
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION - STORAGE AND ISSUE NO: D-290
FILE: FIREARM ISSUE
2. An accounting of all gun locker keys. Entries shall be created for the
issuance and retrieval of the weapons (i.e., officer's name and
assigned gun locker). Vehicle assignments should be included, as
applicable.
C. All firearms, ammunition, and holsters assigned to the Jail Division shall be
stored inside secure gun lockers when not in use. The gun locker keys
are to remain secured at all times when not in use.
IV. FIREARM SECURITY
A. Only those officers who are authorized to carry a firearm in their
assignment shall be allowed to carry a firearm and ammunition into the
facility. Firearms and ammunition are limited exclusively to the following
areas:
1. The Main Jail Lobby/public elevator (#4)
2. The Main Jail 2nd floor Administrative area
3. The North Annex Jail Dining Room (via the North Annex Lobby)
4. The locker rooms
B. With the exception of less-lethal weapons, FIREARMS AND
AMMUNITION SHALL NOT BE CARRIED INTO ANY OTHER PART OF
ANY JAIL FACILITY.
V. INVENTORY, EXCHANGE AND SERVICE
A. The Services Sergeant shall maintain a key inventory for all Jail facilities,
including all gun lockers.
B. All firearms and ammunition shall be inventoried on a quarterly basis by a
designated Armory Officer. The resulting inventory reports shall be
submitted to the applicable supervisor (i.e., Transportation Sergeant or
SERT Commander).
C. The Transportation Sergeant is responsible to ensure that all ammunition
is exchanged on an annual basis (in December of each year).
D. All firearms shall be serviced on an annual basis in coordination with the
Rangemaster.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION - STORAGE AND ISSUE NO: D-290
FILE: FIREARM ISSUE
VI. FIREARM DISCHARGE
A. Every discharge of a firearm (other than during normal Range training)
must be reported to an on-duty supervisor. The discharge shall be
documented according to policy (refer to Sheriff's Office Policy
#306/Firearms).
B. The Transportation Sergeant shall ensure that the discharged ammunition
is replaced and accounted for on the inventory report.
VI I. STORAGE OF CONCEALED CARRY WEAPONS
A. Employees who hold a valid CCW license may store their concealed
weapons as follows-
1. Correctional staff may store a personal firearm in their assigned locker
during the course of their shift. The locker shall be kept secured and
locked at all times.
2. Civilian and contracted employees may store their weapons in the gun
lockers available in the Main Jail employee entrance vestibule. The
lockers may be used for safekeeping personal firearms during the
course of the shift. Unless specifically assigned by the Services
Sergeant, the keys are not to be removed from the facility.
B. The facility lobbies have gun lockers available for visiting law enforcement
officials to secure their weapons prior to entrance into the secured areas of
the facility. These lockers are not intended for employee use.
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