1 Del. Admin. Code § 801-12.0

Current through Reigster Vol. 28, No. 6, December 1, 2024
Section 801-12.0 - Minimum Standards Firearms Qualification
12.1 Handgun
12.1.1 A minimum of three qualification shoots per calendar year, scheduled on at least two separate days, with 60 days between qualification dates are required.
12.1.2 Of the three shoots, there will be one mandatory "low light" qualification. The low light shoot may be conducted on the same day as one day shoot.
12.1.3 All training ammunition shall be comparable to issued service ammunition in performance characteristics.
12.1.4 Issued service ammunition will be collected annually and replaced with new service ammunition. The collected ammunition may be used for training and qualification.
12.1.5 A minimum of 150 rounds of ammunition will be fired annually for proficiency training for both the handgun and patrol rifle. This ammunition will NOT include the ammunition required for qualification courses.
12.1.6 An average score of 80% (90% for Firearms Instructors and Master Firearms Instructors) must be obtained to be qualified with the approved handgun. The method of scoring and target selection will be determined by the instructor.
12.1.7 All qualifications are to be completed with authorized weapons and equipment. (Holsters, magazines, magazine pouches, etc.)
12.1.8 Should an officer initially fail to qualify, that officer would be permitted up to five (5) attempts and a maximum of 40 hours additional training to attain certification. Scheduling for the additional attempts will be conducted at the convenience of the firearms instructor. Under no circumstances, will an officer be permitted to carry a firearm on duty unless certified as per the requirements of Section 8404 of the Council on Police Training.

Daytime

Yard LineCourse of FireTotal Rounds (50)
25 or greater Behind cover from 2 positions 4
15 or greater Behind cover from 2 positions 6
10 to 7 Draw from the holster 3x2 6
7 Move off the X 6
3-10 Support Hand Reload Drill 3
5-7 Strong Hand Support Hand Transition Drill 6
3-5 Two rounds from the holster (4 seconds) x2 4
3-5 3 round Combat Reload Drill (9 seconds) x2 6
3 Get Back Drill 6
3 or greater Any Course of Fire Listed Above 3

Low Light

Yard LineCourse of FireTotal Rounds (50)
15 Behind cover from 2 positions 5
7 Move off the X 6
10 to 7 Draw from the holster 3x3 9
3-10 Strong Hand Reload Drill 3
5-7 Strong Hand Support Hand Transition Drill 6
3-5 2 rounds from the holster (5 seconds) x3 6
3-5 3 round Combat reload Drill (10 seconds) x2 6
3 Get Back Drill 6
3 or greater Any Course of Fire Listed Above 3

12.1.9 The instructor will determine at what distance, in what manner, and how many rounds will be fired on each command.
12.1.10 All courses of fire will consist of a Minimum of 50 rounds.
12.1.11 Time standards are COPT mandated Maximum standards that can be reduced at the discretion of an individual agency.
12.1.12 During both courses of fire, a minimum of 2 combat reloads must be conducted.
12.1.13 Tactical reloads are encouraged as appropriate and allowed by agency policy and training.
12.2 Handgun Concealed Carry Standards and H.R. 218
12.2.1 This regulation sets forth the minimum qualification standards for concealed weapon handguns for active duty police officers and for retired law enforcement officers who qualify under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (H.R. 218).
12.2.2 These are minimum standards and shall not prevent any police department from establishing stricter or additional rules or regulations to qualify to conceal carry a firearm on or off duty.

YARD LINE

COURSE OF FIRE

TOTAL ROUNDS

15 to 7

Advance Towards Target

9

7

Centered Behind Barricade Covered

16

5/Less

Lateral Movement

12

5/Less

Move Back

6

5/Less

One Hand Reload, Strong/Weak Hand Only

7

TOTAL OF FIFTY ROUNDS

12.2.3 The instructor will determine at what distance, in what manner, and how many rounds are fired on each command.
12.2.4 Retired law enforcement officers must qualify a minimum of once annually and obtain a minimum score of 80%.
12.2.5 If the weapon system or holster is different from active duty use, the officer must qualify a minimum of once annually and obtain a minimum of 80%.
12.2.6 Under no circumstances, will an officer be permitted to carry a firearm on duty unless the officer has met the qualification standards with that weapon.
12.3 Shotgun Minimum Standards
12.3.1 Departments using shotguns will be required to qualify three times a year, two day courses and one "low light" course. A minimum of 60 days is required between the two day courses. The "low light" course may be conducted on the same day as one day qualification course.
12.3.2 Service ammunition will be collected annually and replaced with new ammunition. The collected ammunition may be used for training and qualification.
12.3.3 All training ammunition shall be comparable to issued ammunition in performance characteristics.
12.3.4 Departments using shotguns will fire a minimum of 30 rounds of ammunition for proficiency training per year. This ammunition will not include the ammunition required for qualification courses.
12.3.5 An average score of 80% must be obtained to be qualified with the approved shotgun. The method of scoring and type of target will be determined by the instructor.
12.3.6 All qualifications are to be completed with authorized weapons and ammunition.
12.3.7 Departments are required to complete a qualification course with each type of ammunition that is issued.

YARD LINE

COURSE OF FIRE

TOTAL ROUNDS

3/25

Two Different Positions, Three Different Yardages

5

TOTAL OF FIVE ROUNDS

12.3.8 The instructor will determine at what distance, in what manner, and how many rounds are fired on each command depending on the weapon and the capability of the ammunition.
12.4 Patrol Rifle Minimum Standards
12.4.1 Departments using patrol rifles will be required to qualify three times a year, two day courses and one "low light" course. A minimum of 60 days is required between the two day courses. The "low light" course may be conducted on the same day as one day qualification course.
12.4.2 Service ammunition will be collected annually and replaced with new service ammunition. The collected ammunition may be used for training and qualification.
12.4.3 All training ammunition shall be comparable to issued ammunition in performance characteristics.
12.4.4 Departments using patrol rifles will fire a minimum of 50 rounds of ammunition for proficiency training from the patrol rifle during each shoot. This is a total of 150 rounds per calendar year. This ammunition will not include the ammunition required for qualification courses. An average score of 80% must be obtained to be qualified. The method of scoring and the type of target will be determined by the instructor.
12.4.5 All qualifications are to be completed with authorized weapons and ammunition.
12.4.6 The following course of fire will be used for all caliber patrol rifles for both day and "low light" qualification.

COURSE OF FIRE

Will consist of 50 rounds and will include at least one rifle magazine change.

Will include at least one transition to the handgun, and 10 of the 50 rounds may be fired from the handgun after transition.

A minimum of 20 rounds will be fired from a distance of 25 yards or greater. Shooters must demonstrate proficiency from at least 50 yards. This may be accomplished by using reduced size targets to simulate 50 yards.

Shooters must use at least three different shooting positions; at least one must be from a position of cover.

1 Del. Admin. Code § 801-12.0

22 DE Reg. 230 (9/1/2018)
22 DE Reg. 783 (3/1/2019)
23 DE Reg. 939 (5/1/2020)
24 DE Reg. 1012 (5/1/2021)
26 DE Reg. 222 (9/1/2022) (Final)