Weapons Personal Protection Equipment and Use of Force Research Paper

Policy and Procedure Manual

EZ Protective Consultant Company

Policy and Procedures Manual

Introduction to defensive weapons

Carrying a concealed weapon

Body armor

Use of diversionary devices and various chemical weapons

The shooting incident

Psychological and emotional reactions

Stress factors

The aftermath

Shooting, safety, and other issues

The criminal justice field has now had a very profound impact on society. Protection of rights is a very important in regards to our current economic backdrop. With unemployment a record levels crime has subsequently increased dramatically. Therefore, it is practical for individuals using this manual to abreast on the use of weapons, personal protection equipment, and physical security.

This manual is designed to help protect law enforcement officials and the general public with insights into defensive weaponry and its subsequent use. This manual is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of all the factors mentioned above with a particular emphasis on security. This manual is intended to help individuals effectively deal with crime through appropriate security measures.

Carry a concealed weapon

Crime has become a very contentious issue of late, due in part to worldwide economic turmoil. Individual are now without employment or a stable source of income. Wages are dropping, deficits are increasing, and individuals are without work. As a result of these disparities, crime rates tend to rise as individuals justify such behavior within themselves. This is particularly true of individuals with recurring credit problems, mortgages due, or in the worst instances, families. These individuals, although they don't have a stable source of income, must still pay its debtors or creditors. As such, crime tends to rise during periods of economic or social unrest. Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans. In many instances, individuals stole television, electronics, and other valuables from neighbor's homes. Police, in one incident beat an innocent 64-year-old man. Keith Griffin, a New Orleans police individual was booked with aggravated rate and kidnapping. In France, as the financial crisis grips all of Europe, unemployment is nearly 24% as the nation deals with austerity measures. All of these incidents lead to crime in some form irrespective of the individual. Crimes, due to overwhelming stress, economic circumstances and so forth all lead to crime of some form. Below is a chart reinforcing this notion Notice how crime and unemployment seem to mirror each other.

Purpose: In the interest of ensuring the safety of employees, clients, contractors, and citizens within the general public, it is necessary to adopt specific rules and regulations regarding concealed weapons. In the interests of these stakeholders, this portion of the manual addressed appropriate behavior when carrying and using a concealed weapon. The following concealed weapons policy: The word "employee" of "stakeholder" as intended in this manual shall mean classifications including but not limited to classified employees, unclassified employees, contractual employees, members of any Boards or Commissions appointed by County Officials or functioning on county property, volunteers working on behalf of the general public or any elected or appointed official or stakeholder within the general public.

Prohibit to Bear

To begin, not all stakeholder groups are authorized to carry a concealed weapon. Employees or stakeholders within the general public, other than law enforcement individuals specifically authorized to carry a firearm, are prohibited from carrying firearms in specific areas. These areas include but are not limited to any owned or leased building, on any premises, at any work location, vehicle, on a county controlled site, or at any time or an area that is associated with county employment while they are acting within the course and scope of his or her employment. This is very important to ensure the safety and soundness of the work environment as it relates to the general public. Employees and stakeholders other than law enforcement individuals specifically authorized to carry a firearm, are also prohibited from bringing a firearm onto a county owned or leased parking lot, even if it is kept in his or her own vehicle, except for employees with a valid license to carry a concealed weapon. An employee with a valid license to carry a concealed weapon who chooses to carry a concealed weapon while driving to and from work and park in an owned or leased parking lot, must secure his or her weapon in his or her own locked vehicle, either in the glove compartment, other locked compartments, or in the trunk before he or she reports to work. These concepts mentioned above are in the best interest of the general public, as circumstances may provide unintended consequences in regards to firearm activity.

Violation of Policy

In many instances, offenders may violate the above mentioned policy. Any stakeholder or employee who violates this policy shall be considered as acting outside the course and scope of his or her duties and will be subject to disciplinary action. This action could include possible jail time, wage garnishments, fines, and personal sanctions. In addition, all owned buildings and buildings leased by the community shall have a sign posted at the entrance which substantially states the rights and responsibilities of those carrying a firearm.

Dissemination of Policy: Each license holder of the community shall be responsible for reviewing said policy. Each license holder must sign an acknowledgment form indicating the individual has received or reviewed a copy of said policy. This acknowledgement form shall be kept in the individuals personnel file.

Body Armor

The purpose of this policy is to provide individuals with guidelines for the proper use and care of soft body armor. It is this manuals policy to maximize individual safety through the use of body armor in conjunction with the practice of prescribed safety procedures. While body armor provides a significant level of protection, it is not a substitute for sound, basic safety procedures. Body armor that is worn damaged or out of warranty shall be replaced by the individual using it. If used by a law enforcement official, when the individual terminates his/her employment, the Chief of Police may allow the individual to purchase his/her issued vest for an established price. All individuals engaged in street duties are required to wear body armor unless exempted by this policy. All individuals assigned or engaged in special tactics, service of warrants, traffic checkpoints, other special assignments or duties as required by the Chief must use body armor. This includes off-duty police related employment by an individual in uniform. An individual may be exempt from wearing body armor under any of the following circumstances. The first circumstance would be when a physician states, in writing, that an individual has a medical condition that would prevent use of body armor. Another circumstance would be when the individual is involved in undercover or plain clothes work that the individual's supervisor determines would be compromised by use of body armor.. Individuals shall wear only Department approved body armor. Each individual is responsible for the proper storage and daily inspection of his/her body armor for signs of damage and general cleanliness. When not in use, the individual shall store his/her body armor in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Chemical Weapons

All individuals will be issued a chemical agent and will be trained and certified in its proper use. The chemical agent may be used when necessary in accordance with this procedure and the procedure outlined in this manual. Individuals who are issued chemical agents must first be trained and certified in its proper use and will receive additional training on an annual basis. Individuals shall visually inspect and vigorously shake the chemical agent canister on a weekly basis to ensure proper function. Individuals should also test fire their chemical agents every three months to ensure pressurization and spray pattern. Empty or defective canisters shall be returned and replaced immediately. After using a chemical agent on a subject, decontamination procedures shall be administered and documented as soon as safety allows. If required, appropriate medical attention will be provided for the subject or anyone involved.

When chemical agent weapons are issued, all individuals must successfully complete a 4-hour training course administered by a certified instructor. The course must include the individual being subjected to the chemical agents in practicals so that the individual will understand the direct impact if the weapon is used in an attack against the individual. Each individual will then be required to successfully complete a 2-hour re-certification course at least every two years.

The shooting incident

The shooting incident will vary depending on the circumstances prevalent during the altercation. Some aspects for the individual to be aware of are innocent bystanders in the direct line of fire. Children who may be involved with the incident should also be considered when shooting. Individuals engaged in shooting must be knowledgeable about their specific firearm. Aspects such as recoil, accuracy, and bullet usage should all be taken into account during a shooting incident. Those operating a firearm must be aware of the laws applicable in their state or jurisdiction. They will be subject to these laws in the event of a shooting incident.…