Fire Orders

Question 1

‘Fire orders’ are…

Answer 1

Operationally specific instructions on the circumstances in which police employees may use firearms.

Question 2

Fire orders must be given according to this table:

Operational situations 1:

Answer 2

When firearms are issued before the start of authorised routine carriage and pre-planned operations, fire orders must be given by operation or unit commanders as part of the operation briefing.

Question 3

Fire orders must be given according to this table:

Operational situations 2:

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Fire orders must be given according to this table:

Training:

Answer 4

Every time employees receive formal firearms training they must be asked by the instruction to demonstrate their thorough knowledge and understanding of fire orders.

Question 5

Responsibility for knowing when firearms may be used…

Answer 5

Every police employee issued with a firearm is personally responsible for ensuring they are thoroughly conversant with relevant law, particularly sections 39, 40, 41, 48 and 62 of the Crimes Act 1961, and all relevant instructions and guidelines contained in this chapter.

Question 6

Conditions to be satisfied before use…

Answer 6

The circumstances justifying police firing at an offender can change very rapidly.
Any employee who fires a shot must be personally satisfied thorough their perceived cumulative assessment that there exists justification for doing so.

Question 7

An offender must not be shot without first considering:

Communication…

Answer 7

They must have first been asked to surrender (unless it is unpractical or unsafe to do so), and

Question 8

An offender must not be shot without first considering:

Less violent alternatives (Proportionality) …

Answer 8

It must be clear they cannot be disarmed or arrested without first being shot, and

Question 9

An offender must not be shot without first considering:

Delay (Necessity)…

Answer 9

It must be clear that further delay in appending the offender would be dangerous or impractical.

Question 10

Making decisions to use
Police must only use a firearm for these lawful purposes:

Defending themselves or others
(S48 Crimes Act 1961)

Answer 10

To defend themselves or others if:
* they fear death or GBH to themselves or others, and

• cannot reasonably protect themselves or others in a less violent manner.

Question 11

Making decisions to use
Police must only use a firearm for these lawful purposes:

Arresting an offender
(s39 Crimes Act 1961)

Answer 11

To arrest an offender if they:
* believe on reasonable grounds that the offender poses a threat of death or GBH in resisting their arrest, and

• the arrest cannot be reasonably effected in a less violent manner, and
• the arrest cannot be delayed without danger to other people.

Question 12

Making decisions to use
Police must only use a firearm for these lawful purposes:

Preventing escape
(s40 Crimes Act 1961)

Answer 12

To prevent an offender escaping if:
* police believe on reasonable grounds that the offender poses a threat of death or GBH to any person (whether an identifiable individual or members of the public at large), and

• the offender flees to avoid arrest or escapes after arrest, and
• the flight or escape cannot reasonably be prevented in a less violent manner.

Question 13

Making decisions to use
Police must only use a firearm for these lawful purposes:

Destroying animals

Answer 13

To destroy animals in circumstances set out in the Animals chapter in the police manual.

Question 14

Four cardinal rules of firearms safety:

Answer 14

1. All guns are loaded.

Question 15

Four cardinal rules of firearms safety:

Answer 15

2. Point the muzzle in a safe direction (Laser rule).

Question 16

Four cardinal rules of firearms safety:

Answer 16

3. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are on target and have decided to fire.

Question 17

Four cardinal rules of firearms safety:

Answer 17

4. Be sure if your target and what is around it and behind it.

Question 18

Definition of a safe direction

Answer 18

A safe direction is one in which, if an unintentional discharge occurs, only minimal property damage (not human injury) will result.

Question 19

Safety precautions

Answer 19

Conduct safety precautions on all weapons and equipment before, during and after any activity.

Question 20

When to complete safety precautions:

Answer 20

1. Whenever you take control of a firearm that has not been in your direct continuous control.

Question 21

When to complete safety precautions:

Answer 21

2. Whenever you are unsure about the state or the condition of the firearm.

Question 22

When to complete safety precautions:

Answer 22

3. Before attempting to field strip the firearm.

Question 23

When to complete safety precautions:

Answer 23

4. Whenever you pass control of a firearm to another person.