G7.2.2 Firearms and Ammunition
Chapter: Chapter 07: Use of Force
Sub-Chapter: 7.2 - Weapons Management
Effective Date: 01/14/2019
Revised Date: 01/31/2022
Rescinds: S21.01 - 8/20/2021; F7.2-1 - 8/19/2021
Purpose
To provide the Indiana University Police Department (IUPD) with guidance regarding firearms and ammunition authorized for use by sworn officers both on and off duty.
General Order
Only sworn officers are authorized to carry or use firearms. While carrying a firearm, either on or off duty, sworn officers will only carry firearms and ammunition authorized by the IUPD. This directive is not intended to prohibit the use of other firearms or ammunition if exigent circumstances exist that justify the need to use deadly force.
Definitions
Authorized Ammunition – Ammunition specified in this general order for use in authorized firearms.
Authorized Firearms – Department and non-department firearms specified as authorized for use both on and off duty.
Department Firearms – Firearms owned by IUPD and issued to IUPD officers for use.
Non-Department Firearms – Firearms that are not owned by IUPD but are authorized by the department for use both on and off duty.
On-Duty Weapons Requirements (7.2.2 a)
The following firearms may be used by sworn officers while on-duty.
Handguns
The IUPD will issue Glock semi-automatic handguns chambered for 9mm ammunition. The IUPD may issue the Glock model which offers the officer an optimal grip and/or an optimal size for their regular duty assignment.
Full-Time and Part-Time (Class I) Officers may carry a non-department handgun once it has been authorized as specified in the Authorization Process of Non-Department Firearms section below. The division chief of police or superintendent for public safety can authorize the carrying of a non-department handgun as the sole handgun carried for administrative assignments.
Part-Time Officers (Class II) are authorized to carry their department issued handgun while on-duty. Part-Time Officers (Class II) are authorized to carry their department issued handgun while in transit to and from their duty assignments.
Part Time Officers (Class II) will not carry a non-department handgun on-duty.
Shotguns
The IUPD may issue Remington or Mossberg 12-gauge, pump action shotguns to sworn officers who have completed an IUPD approved shotgun operator course and demonstrated proficiency through the qualification course specified in G7.2.4 Weapons Proficiency.
Rifles
The IUPD will not issue, and officers will not use, automatic rifles. The IUPD may issue AR-15 style, M-4 style or Remington 700, semi-automatic rifles to sworn officers who have completed an IUPD approved patrol rifle operator course and demonstrated proficiency through the qualification course specified in G7.2.4 Weapons Proficiency.
Off-Duty Weapon Requirements (7.2.2 b)
Full-Time and Part-Time (Class I) Officers may carry their department issued handguns off-duty.
Part-Time Officers (Class II) will abide by all Indiana University policies regarding the possession of firearms on campus and are not permitted to carry any firearm on campus while off-duty. Part-Time Officers (Class II) may carry their department issued handguns off-duty while off campus.
Part Time Officers (Class II) that live on-campus or on property owned by Indiana University will be required to secure their department issued handgun at the IUPD when in an off-duty status.
Full-Time and Part-Time Officers (Class I) may carry a non-department handgun off-duty once it has been authorized as specified in the Authorization Process of Non-Department Firearms section below.
IUPD rifles and shotguns may be taken home by:
- an officer for the purposes of training, maintenance, or cleaning.
- members of tactical units (SWAT/CIRT).
- officers assigned a take home vehicle.
Type and Specification of Authorized Ammunition (7.2.2 c)
The following types of ammunition are authorized for use. Officers should only use ammunition issued by IUPD in department firearms.
Reloaded ammunition will not be used in authorized firearms on or off duty. Only ammunition from the following manufacturers may be used in authorized firearms on or off duty:
- CCI Speer
- Corbon
- Federal
- Fiocchi
- Hornady
- Remington
- Winchester
Handguns
IUPD officers will use 9mm hollow point ammunition issued by the IUPD in all department handguns while on and off duty. IUPD officers may use 9mm full metal jacket or frangible ammunition provided by the IUPD in all department handguns while training unless the instructor tells the officer to use duty ammunition for training.
IUPD officers will carry and use only ammunition authorized by the IUPD in non-department handguns. Officers will not carry or use full metal jacket ammunition in non-department handguns except when training.
Officers will only carry and use hollow point ammunition of the following types:
- 380 ACP
- .40 S&W
- 357 SIG
- .38 Special
- .10mm
- 357 Magnum
- .45 Colt
- .45 ACP
- 9mm Parabellum
Shotguns
IUPD officers will carry and use 12-gauge buck shot or 12-gauge slug shot ammunition for shotguns.
Rifles
IUPD officers will carry and use IUPD issued 5.56mm/.223 caliber bonded soft point ammunition for rifles.
Non-Department Firearms
Officers will not carry or deploy non-department shotguns or rifles on-duty.
Officers may carry authorized non-department handguns on and off duty. Non-department handguns will be either a semi-automatic or revolver in a caliber between .35 and .45 with a capacity of five rounds or greater. Barrel length will not be restricted so long as the officer demonstrates proficiency with the weapon as specified in G7.2.4 Weapons Proficiency.
Non-Department Firearms must be manufactured by one of the following:
- Berretta
- Browning
- Colt
- FN Herstal
- Glock
- Heckler & Koch
- Kimber
- Ruger
- Sig-Sauer
- Smith & Wesson
- Springfield Armory
- Taurus
- Walther
Authorization Process for Non-Department Firearms
Sworn officers may request that a handgun meeting the specifications of this section be approved as a non-department firearm that may be carried on or off duty by completing the Firearm Authorization Request form in the IUPD Dashboard Application.
The request will be routed to the division chief of police. The division chief of police will review, and then approve or deny the request. The requesting officer will be notified of the decision.
The officer will schedule a time with an armorer to inspect the non-department firearm or provide documentation of a third-party inspection as specified in G7.2.3 Weapons Control.
If the firearm does not pass inspection, the armorer will note what corrective action should be taken before the next inspection or why the firearm will not pass inspection under any condition.
Once the firearm has passed inspection, the officer will schedule a time with a firearms instructor to demonstrate proficiency with the firearm as specified in G7.2.4 Weapons Proficiency.
Once the officer has demonstrated proficiency with the firearm, the non-department firearm will be considered an authorized firearm and may be carried on and off duty in accordance with this General Order.
Annual Approval Requirements
Approved non-department firearms will be reviewed and re-approved, if appropriate, once per calendar year. Re-approval of a non-department firearm will occur when:
- The officer indicates that they still carry the non-department firearm.
- The firearm passes an annual inspection as specified by G7.2.3 Weapons Control.
- The officer demonstrates proficiency with the firearm as specified in G7.2.4 Weapons Proficiency.
Additional Considerations
Identification
When carrying any authorized firearm, on or off duty, officers will carry their badge and agency identification.
Holsters
When on duty, non-department firearms will be carried in a holster approved by a member of the firearms training staff.
Firearms carried in a secondary or backup capacity will be carried, concealed, in a holster approved by a member of the firearms training staff.
Impairment
Officers will not carry a firearm on or off duty if under the influence of alcohol, medication, or any other substance to the point that it would impair mental or physical capabilities. Officers will report to their supervisor any such condition they reasonably believe could impair their judgment while carrying out law enforcement responsibilities.
Related Information
Indiana University Police Department
- G7.2.3 – Weapons Control
- G7.2.4 – Weapons Proficiency
- Electronic Firearms Authorization Request
- F7.2.2-1 IUPD Firearm Inspection
- F7.2.2-2 Third Party Handgun Inspection