Q: I am a training coordinator and firearms instructor in the state of Maryland. I’m attempting to convince my administration that we should have officers issued firearms (handguns) on certain posts at the facilities. We currently only train and utilize the shotgun. I am looking for other agencies who use the sidearm on certain posts at their facilites and the reasoning behind the use of it.
We use a perimeter vehicle staffed with only one correctional officer between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 0700. Their job is continuous patrols of the outside perimeter of the facility to ensure perimeter security. The only weapon that is issued is a shotgun, which is to be kept in the vehicle during patrol and only to be removed when a possible need arises. They must exit the vehicle from time to time to check doors, vehicles, etc.
Our visiting officers are exposed to the everyday person who comes to the facility for visiting puposes. etc., and you never know who or what you are dealing with. These officers’ only defense in a possible violent situation is a small can of pepper spray! Any opinions or thoughts in regards to how I can convince our admin to rethink this current practice would be a great help.
C1’s Dave Young replies:
There are many simulations you can use to prove your point to your administration. However, the main obstacles are having them follow through with their support.
Over the last 10 years, with the development of new non-lethal weapon technology, there have been many different views in entertaining the ideas of bringing lethal weapons like the firearms inside correctional facilities. Firearms are, no doubt, a life saver for the officer carrying them, however, due to inmates out-numbering the officers and the limited amount of rounds in a handgun or shotgun, the vital need and requirement of distance from threats, barriers between the lethal weapons and inmates, and a lot more training then once a year with the officer will be needed for them to be effective.
Again this is my professional opinion. I make this opinion from my professional experience both as a corrections officer who has worked inside a jail and a certified law enforcement officer who has had to supervise inmates on various details in the state of Fl.
I get to travel throughout the US with my job as the Director of Specialized Programs for Northcentral Technical College and the Director of Training for RedMan Training Division; I currently train officers on how to handle these emergency situations inside facilities. I am able to speak to officers who currently work in camps, jails, prisons and have to interact with inmates daily and they have expressed the same opinions and issues. In addition to the firearm issue, empty hand defense and control options also need to be trained in before even trying to implement weapons.
The use of non lethal weapons inside a facility should also be more closely looked at. Being a corrections officer’s means you have direct supervision and inmate contact; as well as the public who come to visit them. The biggest problem administration’s view is the possibility of the officer being over powered and then giving the inmates immediate access to a lethal weapon.
Firearms on personnel: If the officers are carrying a shotgun for station whether the shotgun is loaded for lethal or non lethal alternative the handgun needs to be there for the immediate protection of the officer who is handling the shotgun. So, basically any officer assigned to handle a shotgun should be carrying a sidearm/handgun for their own personal protection and the protection of the weapon they are carrying. This is true even if they have a lethal officer assigned as a backup.
The main issue is the need to change the way we conduct our security business in the 21st century, something agencies have not done! And there are many options worth exploring that are both cost effective and provide our officers the safety they need when inside correctional facilities, and when dealing with the public or the inmates’ families.