Motion passed regarding firearms training
Recently the Shortland Prison Officers Vocational Branch (POVB) Subbranch moved the following motion regarding Firearms Training:
The Shortland POVB Sub-Branch resolves that:
鈥傗傗傗傗傗1.鈥傗傗傗俉ith immediate effect, officers who have not completed all four mandatory components of the firearms refresher training framework are not to be deployed to medical escorts or to armed posts, including the Gatehouse, until such time as compliance is achieved and verified.
鈥傗傗傗傗傗2.鈥傗傗傗侻anagement must, as a matter of urgency, implement appropriate systems, resources and processes to:
鈥傗傗傗傗傗傗⑩傗傗傗傗俥nsure completion of all firearms refresher training components;
鈥傗傗傗傗傗傗⑩傗傗傗傗俤efine and limit the circumstances in which operational requirements may delay training delivery; and
鈥傗傗傗傗傗傗⑩傗傗傗傗俥stablish a mandatory live fire refresher training recertification period of no greater than two years.
鈥傗傗傗傗傗3.鈥傗傗傗俆he union will support members in the lawful refusal of work where firearm-related duties are allocated in the absence of mandatory training compliance and will refer ongoing non-compliance to relevant regulatory or oversight bodies where necessary.
Assistant Commissioner鈥檚 Memorandum (Custodial Corrections No: 2022/14; Security and Intelligence No: 2022/06; Corrections Industry and Capacity No: 2022/05) was issued in relation to the implementation of聽firearms聽refresher training. The memorandum prescribes mandatory requirements for custodial officers who undertake duties involving聽firearms, including medical escorts and the performance of armed posts such as the Gatehouse.
The memorandum requires the completion of four discrete components in order to maintain competency and compliance, being:
鈥傗傗傗傗傗1.鈥傗傗傗侳irearms聽Online Refresher Training Module.
鈥傗傗傗傗傗2.鈥傗傗傗侳irearms聽Safe Handling Procedures Refresher (dry drills).
鈥傗傗傗傗傗3.鈥傗傗傗俁ange Shoot Refresher Training (live fire); and
鈥傗傗傗傗傗4.鈥傗傗傗侷nteractive Scenario Training.
The 色狼社区and POVB sought legal advice on this matter, which in summary says:
1. Clause 295 of the聽Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Regulation 2014聽(CAS聽Regulation)聽does not set out any requirement for officers to undergo refresher training聽following聽their initial training in the use of firearms.
2. Every officer undertakes initial training in the use of firearms and scenario training.
3. CSNSW has聽correctly聽decided to introduce refresher training for all officers in the use of firearms, safe handling procedures, range shooting and interactive scenario training.
4. This refresher training will be rolled out over time as there are a large number of officers that have to undertake it.
5. In the meantime, officers,聽according to聽legal opinion, are 鈥渃urrent鈥 as they have completed their initial training, which is all that is required by the CAS Regulation.
6. Should an officer be required to carry a firearm and discharge it, they should do so on the basis of the training they have received as at that date.
The 色狼社区and POVB are continuing to consult with Corrective Services NSW about firearms refresher training and will continue to update you.