6513 – Kiona – Benton Firearms Policy

 

 

 

PREAMBLE

 

The District’s Board of Directors has determined that certain administrators, and other individuals selected by the Superintendent, should be trained as District Security Officers, and provided with a firearm and certain equipment, in order that they might act as the initial line of defense in the case of a violent emergency which threatens the safety and security of District students and staff.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

1.  In pursuit of this goal, the District will reimburse the purchase of a firearm by each prospective District Security Officer, as approved by the Superintendent [.380 ACP, 9mm luger].   These firearms will, at all times, be owned by and registered to, the individual, and not the District.

 

2. The District will reimburse each Security Officer for the purchase of ancillary equipment, such as a holster [up to $50.00]; and such other equipment as the Superintendent and Board of Directors may believe to be reasonably necessary in order to perform the function of District Security Officer.

 

3.  District Security Officers will receive initial training of 40 hours or more in firearms handling; protective measures; and such related topics as may be recommended by law enforcement, or a private security consultant retained by the District. After the initial training is completed, District Security Officers must acquire a concealed pistol license, as described by the provisions of RCW 9.41.070.

 

4.  Upon completion of initial training, receipt of a concealed pistol license, and upon recommendation of the District’s security consultant (or law enforcement), District Security Officers will perform their primary duties as District employees while carrying their firearm concealed upon their person, as previously described herein. The District reserves the right to rescind Security Officer Status at any time, for any reason or for no reason.  The District further reserves the right to require Security Officers to undergo psychological and/or physical evaluation as to their fitness for Security Officer duty prior to commencement of their duties as Security Officer, or at any time during their tenure in said status.  This option may be exercised for any reason or for no reason.

 

5.   The District will further provide each Security Officer with an official Security Officer Badge for identification. This Badge will be carried by each Security Officer at all times while in District facilities or on District grounds.  Security Officers will also receive a reflective vest for identification to law enforcement officers during a critical incident.

 

6.  Participation in the Security Officer program is optional for individual employees of the District. Likewise, the District reserves the right to preclude individual employees from participating, for any reason, or for no reason. The position of security officer is a volunteer position and the position is not subject to specialty pay or benefits beyond what is offered under current contract for their current position with the school district.

 

7.  The protective function of District Security Officers will be to respond to violent threats to the safety and security of District Students and Staff and to stabilize any such situation until such time as law enforcement officials can be summoned.  Firearms will be used in such responses only as a last resort in the event of imminent violent threat to the lives and safety of District students and staff.

 

8.  District Security Officers will participate in such ongoing and relevant training as the District’s security consultant or law enforcement may recommend, on an approximate frequency of four times per year, four hours per session, along with monthly documentation of Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger (SIRT) Training Pistol hours.

 

9.  Individual members of the District’s Board of Directors may choose to participate in the Security Officer Program, as Auxiliary Security Officers.  With respect to these Auxiliary Security Officers, the majority of the Board of Directors will exercise the discretionary functions regarding participation and the like that are accorded to the Superintendent in this policy with respect to District employees.

 

TECHNICAL PROVISIONS

 

10.  All ammunition for duty carry or training shall be purchased by the District.  Only hollow point and/or frangible ammunition from a reputable ammunition manufacturer are authorized for duty carry.

 

11.  No +P or +P+ ammunition will be allowed for duty carry.  Only standard factory ammunition will be purchased by the district.

 

12.  All Security Officers shall carry their firearm concealed at all times.

 

13. The school district will keep a copy of each Security Officer’s Concealed Pistol License in their personnel training record. All school district security training records will be kept on file in a secure location for a period not to exceed 3 years after the person leaves district employment.

 

14. Firearms shall be carried in a manner consistent with the required training and completely out of sight from the public view.

 

15. The firearm shall be carried on the Security Officer’s person, or locked into a secure containment area [gun safe] provided by the District, at all times. At no time will the firearm be left unattended or stored in a manner that could jeopardize the safety of the public, students or school staff. Firearms shall be carried in a holster that either has level one, two or three retention capabilities or tension/friction grip. Firearms are not allowed to be left on District facilities overnight or on weekends

 

16. Security officers shall not draw their firearm, un-holster the firearm, display the firearm or brandish the firearm without due cause, unless in a training environment, or if there is need to draw the firearm to protect the life of the Security Officer, or the lives of others, from an imminent threat of deadly force.

 

17.  All Security Officers will adhere to all firearms safety rules taught in the required firearms training course.

 

18. The discharge of a firearm falls into an intentional or accidental situation. Intentional discharge will occur either during qualification at the range or in the line of duty. Any intentional or accidental discharge of a firearm on school campus, within any building or school sponsored activity will require a law enforcement investigation. Discharging a firearm at the shooting range during training and qualification is exempt from the reporting requirement. Firing warning shots in the line of duty are not allowed; the risks of injury to innocent parties are too great.

 

19. Security Officers will be required to carry at least one loaded spare magazine for their authorized firearm.  The location of the spare magazine will be left to the discretion of the individual; however, it must be carried on their person and out of sight from the public view.  When Security Officers are not on duty, the magazine and ammunition will be stored in the same manner as their firearm.        All firearms can be carried “chambered” or “un-chambered” depending on the direction of the current Superintendent and training. All staff will carry the same way.

 

20.  No purses, bags, satchels, backpacks or any other separate article of clothing will be allowed for concealed carry. The firearm shall be carried on Security Officers’ person, secured at all times. The only exception will be a “Fanny pack” or “Hip pack” style pouch that can be securely fastened around the waist with a clasp or lock that holds the belt into place. It must be specifically designed to hold a firearm and shall be in a closed position at all times.

 

USE OF FORCE

 

21.  District Security Officers may utilize their firearm or other methods to protect themselves or other persons from an imminent threat of death or injury.  That is, when a Security Officer is in immediate fear of death or serious physical harm to him/herself or others the Officer is justified to use deadly force.  Deadly force can be applied by any means available including, but not limited to, hands, impact tools or firearm.  Firearms are specifically not authorized for protection against threats to District property.

 

22.  The priority course of action for District Security Officers is to stabilize dangerous situations with which they are confronted until law enforcement officials can be summoned.  Upon the arrival of law enforcement, District Security Officers will identify themselves and comply with all instructions of responding law enforcement officers.  The District will work with local law enforcement personnel to determine procedures for easy identification of District Security Officers, and other procedures for intra-agency cooperation. xxxxxxxENDxxxxxxx