CC 02 Weapons Control

Washington County Sheriff's Office

CORRECTIONS DIVISION

Policy Manual

Volume: CC

Security

Chapter: 02

Weapons Control

Replaces and/or Supersedes:

CC 02 04/21/2010, 09/15/2011

Published:

09/15/2011

Date Reviewed:

12/15/2021

Sheriff Nate Brooksby

Chief Deputy Trevor Benson

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CC 02_101  Definitions

CC 02_102  References

CC 02_103  General

CC 02_104  Storage

CC 02_101  DEFINITIONS

1. WCSO:  Washington County Sheriff's Office
2. PCF:  Purgatory Correctional Facility

CC 02_102  REFERENCES

1. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Standards:
   1. 10.
2. Utah Sheriff's Association Jail Standards:
   1. C 01.02.02:  Securing Firearms Before Entry
   2. F01.01.01:  Written Security and Procedure Required
   3. F01.01.02:  Content
   4. F01.04.01:  Peace Officer's Weapons
   5. F01.04.02:  Storing and Issuing Jail Weapons
   6. F01.04.03:  Weapons Not Permitted Unless Authorized

CC 02_103  GENERAL

1. Policy:
   1. All persons shall be required to remove and secure their firearms and other weapons before entering secure PCF areas.
   2. Unless authorized in response to exigent circumstances (or another purpose sanctioned by the Sheriff or designee e.g. Corrections Chief Deputy) firearms, or other lethal weapons shall not be used or permitted inside secure areas of PCF.
2. Rationale:
   1. Staff and Inmate safety is at risk if firearms are introduced into the jail facility.
   2. The possibility of an inmate grabbing an officer's gun from its holster (or inmates overpowering an officer and taking his gun) dictates that no firearms be permitted inside PCF.
   3. An inmate with a gun inside an otherwise unarmed facility could, with little opposition, take control of the entire facility.

CC 02_105  STORAGE

1. Policy:
   1. All firearms, shields, chemical agents, stun devices, and other weapons shall be stored in the jail armory or other secure location, except when signed out to an officer for transportation duty, perimeter check, facility emergency, training, or other authorized use.
2. Rationale:
   1. Firearms and other weapons, if obtained by inmates, would create an enormous risk to the lives and safety of staff members and other inmates. Any laxity or inattention to the manner in which weapons are stored provides an opportunity for inmates to exploit. Safety and security demand very strict and formal procedures for the issue, return, and storage of weapons.

CC 02_106  DOCUMENTATION

1. Policy:
   1. Anytime a weapon is introduced into or used within the secure areas of PCF, formal documentation shall be created and shall include the authorization and justification.
2. Rationale:
   1. Documentation is necessary in order to provide facts, detect training issues, and respond to litigation.