3-201 - Authorized Equipment and Weapons

1. Purpose

To provide regulations and procedures regarding the distribution, maintenance and possession of both City-owned and personal police-related equipment.

2. Policy

While working, sworn MPD members shall only carry and use equipment that has been authorized by the MPD Training Division. Members shall only carry weapons and force devices and use weapons and force devices approved by MPD for which they are currently trained and authorized to use through the MPD Training Division, except in the rare circumstances outlined in P&P 5-304.

The MPD Training Division shall be responsible for conducting research and product testing of any new equipment and weapons prior to authorization for carry and use by sworn MPD members. Documentation of any member authorized to conduct field testing of new equipment or weapon shall be retained by the MPD Training Division.

3. Procedures /Regulations

1. Equipment shall not be altered in any way to change its general appearance or function.

2. All MPD purchased equipment shall be marked with the full “Minneapolis Police” designation before being issued or used. Markings may include “Mpls Police” or “MPD.” Police Stores will provide uniform markings and advise units of the best marking for equipment type. If equipment is purchased/shipped directly to a unit, the unit supervisor shall ensure that the items are brought to Police Stores for Department marking before use. This directive does not apply to standard “police” labeled clothing.
3. All members on leave of absence in excess of 180 days, disability status, resignation, termination or retirement shall relinquish all City-issued equipment immediately upon the start of such status to Police Stores. A Police Report will be filed for any item not returned.
4. MPD members under suspension shall report as ordered and surrender their badges, identification card and any other city issued equipment requested by Internal Affairs.

1. While under suspension, members shall not wear the MPD uniform or carry a badge or police identification.

2. During a suspension period, a member cannot carry weapons and force devices based on their status as a licensed peace officer with the Minneapolis Police Department. This also includes the ability to carry a weapon into other states based on federal law. A member may only carry a weapon during the suspension period if they have other legal authority to do so (such as a State of Minnesota Permit to Carry a Handgun).

• Carry Weapons and Force Devices: Having a weapon or force device on one's person. This includes having it in a pocket, holster, or backpack or similar container, as well as having it slung or having it in hand.
• Police Report: A report or statement in a report that sets forth the officer's account of an incident and is entered into the MPD's Records Management System.
• Use Weapons and Force Devices: Activating or applying a weapon's or force device's mechanical functions, pointing a weapon, or making contact with a person with the weapon or force device. This includes discharging a weapon such as a firearm, chemical aerosol, or impact projectile launcher, deploying a CEW, performing a CEW warning alert, activating a CEW, laser painting a person, applying handcuffs or restraints, and making bodily contact with a person with a baton or other impact weapon.