Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safe handling of firearms by all Minneapolis Police Department members while on duty or acting in a law enforcement capacity. By establishing clear guidelines for firearm use, maintenance, and pre-deployment checks, this policy reinforces safety, accountability, and adherence to MPD training and procedures.
Policy
All members shall safely handle firearms while performing on-duty assignments or while acting in a law enforcement capacity, in a manner consistent with MPD training and policy.
Procedures
Safe Handling
To ensure firearms are handled in a safe manner, the following shall apply:
- Members shall keep their duty handguns holstered at all times while on duty or otherwise on City property, unless members are:
- Transferring their handguns from one holster to another.
- Using the restroom.
- Conducting a pre-deployment firearm check.
- Engaged in training authorized by the Rangemaster or Training Division Commander or engaged in authorized SWAT Training.
- Providing it for inspection at the request of Range staff or a supervisor.
- Cleaning the handgun at the Range.
- Adjusting their RDS optic brightness for time of day or lighting concerns.
- Performing necessary field maintenance, such as cleaning their RDS optic.
- Any maintenance requiring the firearm to be unloaded, such as changing the optic battery, shall be done using a clearing barrel.
- When performing field maintenance, members shall ensure the firearm is always pointed in safe direction while it is unholstered.
- Engaged in a law enforcement response to a call for service (in accordance with P&P 5-300).
- Members shall not dry fire their firearms while on duty or otherwise on City property unless engaged in training authorized by the Rangemaster or Training Division Commander or engaged in authorized SWAT training.
- Authorized dry firing shall not occur unless a proper safety check has been conducted to ensure the firearm is unloaded.
- A member’s finger shall be kept out of the trigger guard and indexed on the frame of the handgun until the member is on target and intends to fire the gun.
Pre-Deployment Firearm Check
When conducting a pre-deployment firearm check of their handgun, members shall:
- Check to verify their handgun is loaded with a full magazine and a round in the chamber.
- Check the overall condition of their firearm.
- Check the RDS optic (if equipped) to ensure it is working, witness marks haven’t moved, and that the optic is set at the correct brightness for a given shift or lighting situation.
- Check that their weapon-mounted light is working (if equipped).
Responsibility for Discharge
Members are responsible for any discharge of a firearm in their custody. Any unintentional, reckless, unlawful, or other discharge inconsistent with MPD training and policy may result in discipline.
Definitions
Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.
- Firearms/Ammunition/Firearm Accessories: A device that projects either single or multiple projectiles at high velocity. Ammunition is a term meaning the assembly of a projectile and its propellant. Accessories include but are not limited to holsters, gun cases, firearm optics, suppression devices, cleaning supplies, etc.
- Special Weapons and Tactics Team: A specialized police unit trained and equipped to handle high-risk situations beyond the scope of regular patrol, such as armed barricades, hostage rescues, and high-risk warrant service.