LEO AR-15 Carry Policy

[RPD03]

At my dept. all officers (regardless of prior military or LEO experience) must complete the patrol rifle course (classroom and range) and must be off probation in order to carry a rifle.
We have several "pool" rifles and several officers that carry their personal rifles which must pass inspection by the dept armorer.

[PRGGodfather]

At my Department, all sworn officers must complete a 24-hour rifle course conducted at our County facility in a mutual aid format. Military experience is not reason for an exemption, as there are identified learning domains for which each student must demonstrate proficiency. The only exemption is having completed a higher level course, such as a 40-hour POST-Certified Patrol Rifle/Urban Carbine Instructor Certificate.

For every 3-4 students, a Firearms Instructor must be donated by the agency to act as a Fire Team Leader. Only the Lead Instructor needs to be a certified Patrol Rifle Instructor.

The 24-hour course is POST certified (POST demands a 1:5 teacher/student ration in CA); all lead instructors teach from the course.

Pursuant to Department policy, all sworn officers must qualify with the rifle at least annually, and complete a 4-hour refresher course.

[tracker722]

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[Surf]

Out PD (2500 sworn) treats rifle proficiency on the same level as handgun and shotgun. All recruits are trained on the rifle and all Officers qualify annually on all weapons.

Some PD's need to get up to speed with their rifle programs.

As far as military preference, while it may be a plus in regards to the transition to LE, there are no preferences in given to former military in regards to anything. Everyone must meet departmental standards no matter your background. Nothing is taken for granted.

[ST911]

I know a few agencies that will put military vets through an abbreviated/transitional course (8-16hrs) in lieu of an extended (24hr+) class.

Evaluating personnel for that consideration can be tricky. Folks tend to exaggerate the quality of military firearms training for the average troop, and the competency (or lack thereof) that results. Context of training is important too.

A Sheriff I know once told me that if you went to basic training, you knew how to use that rifle well enough for him. He doesn't know what he doesn't know, and has no motivation to learn.

Some have taken to recognizing outside vendors. Pat Rogers's course is accepted at several in lieu of the agency course, with a follow-up policy training and agency qual course. NRA, CenterMass, and certain others as well.

[103M 95G]

No exemptions here. Everyone must pass the rifle school / qualification course in order to be "certified" for AR usage/carry.

Same here

[hayes]

I guess I wasn't clear when I started the thread. You definitely have to pass the courses that go with the rifle. What I meant to say is that are you exempt from the physical test, x amount of years on the job, etc, just for being prior military or even reserve? Sorry for the confusion

Which physical test? To get hired? Every department I know of, you are not exempt being prior Mil from the physical agility test. That's just part of the process.

As for patrol rifles, it's the same as most others have posted... pass the department training, policy review and qualification and you're good to go.

[CHGO5OH]

Not sure what you mean by physical test. The LAPD patrol rifle course is a 4 day class covering nomenclature, maniplulations test, basic shooting positions, and day and night qual courses. There is a run component to the day qual, but the night qual is not a disqualifier.

While prior military is not required, it may (or may not) be helpful.

Whatever physical test they run ie, running, situps, etc...

[CHGO5OH]

Which physical test? To get hired? Every department I know of, you are not exempt being prior Mil from the physical agility test. That's just part of the process.

As for patrol rifles, it's the same as most others have posted... pass the department training, policy review and qualification and you're good to go.

Whatever physical test they have. For us we have to do the 1.5 mile run, situps, sit&reach and bench certain percentage of weight.

[mdain]

There is no physical test to attend the patrol rifle or slug ammo course for the LAPD. There is a handgun manipulations test that must be completed prior to requesting the course. There is, of course, a physical agility test prior to hire.

One phase of the qual course consists of grounding the rifle/shotgun at the firing line, then running something like 200-250 yards and firing x number of body shots from the prone. There is no exemption from the run, as it is part of the course of fire. Failing to run is failing to qual. One failure to qual makes you inactive and unable to deploy the rifle or slug ammo until the next qual cycle. Two failures to qual and you are out of the cadre and must attend the 40 hour course again.

There has been talk of an abbreviated course for prior .mil, however it is only talk at this point.