Chapter 2.1- Firearms

Question 1

Section 40 of the Arms Act 1983

Answer 1

Every person in possession of any firearm, air gun , pistol or restricted weapon shall, on demand, give his full name, address, date of birth to any member of a police who is in uniform or who produces evidence that he is a member of the police

Question 2

Section 66 of the arms act 1983

Answer 2

Every person in occupation of an land or building or the driver of any vehicle on which any firearm, airgun, pistol, imitation firearm, restricted weapon or explosive is found shall, though not to the excision of the liability of any other person, be deemed to be in possession of that firearm, air gun, pistol, imitation firearm, restricted weapon or explosive unless he proves that it was not his property and that it was in possession of some other person

Question 3

Who can be deployed with firearms?

Answer 3

Only certified level one responders may deploy and use a police firearm

Question 4

What are the 5 items when firearms can be carried?

Answer 4

A constabulary employee may carry firearms:

1) when their PCA of a situation is that it is in or likely to escalate to be within the death/GBH range as specified by the tactical options framework in the use of force overview
2) when on duty as a member of AOS/STG or protection services as authorised by the supervisor of that squad
3) when performing airport duties or the role of escorts and guards for people carrying valuables as authorised by a district commander
4) to destroy animals
5) for training purposes

Question 5

What are your responsibilities when firearms are carried?

Answer 5

1) Advise their immediate supervisor and police Comms of their decision to deploy firearms as soon as practicable
2) deploy with a taser where one is available

Question 6

Do Police Constables have to wear ballistic armour when using firearms?

Answer 6

Yes

With the exception of specialist groups employees must wear the approved HAP system in association with SRBA when deploying to an incident where they believe firearms are or could be present

Question 7

What are the 7 principles applying when offenders are armed?

Answer 7

1) conduct an ongoing TENR assessment during the course of an incident
2) it is better to take the matter too seriously than too lightly
3) caution is not cowardice
4) when the offenders actions permit, focus on de-escalation, communication, and prevention, cordon the area and adopt the wait and appeal role in order to negotiate a surrender
5) never go unnecessarily into danger. However if the offender is acting in a way that makes casualties likely, police must act immeadiately to prevent this
6) treat all armed offenders or offenders believed to be armed as dangerous and hostile unless there is definite evidence to the contrary
7) where practical police should not use a firearm unless it can be done without endangering other persons

Question 8

When must fire orders be given?

Answer 8

1) when firearms are issued before the start of authorised carriage and pre-planned operations, fire orders must be given by operation or unit commanders as part of the operation briefing
2) in all other operational situations where firearms are carried if time and circumstances permit, supervisors must draw attention to the fire orders printed on the inside cover of the police issue notebooks
3) every time employees receive formal firearms training they must be asked by the instructor to demonstrate their thorough knowledge and understanding of fire orders