Reference Manual
Procedures
Additional Firearms Practice and Detector Dog Service Range Activities

References

1.0 Refer to the Policy on the Use of Force and the Policy on the Acquisition and Reporting of Agency Firearms.

Preamble

CBSA has introduced a provision that permits armed officers to undertake unsupervised additional firearms practice on their own time.  Unsupervised additional firearms practice is discretionary on the part of the officer and is intended to supplement the two annual mandatory firearms practices. 

General

Follow these procedures regarding unsupervised additional firearms practice.

Managers

2.0 Ensure that the officers are provided with a sufficient quantity of training ammunition and targets for practice (amount of ammunition not to exceed 1000 rounds per calendar year).

2.1 Ensure that records are kept and maintained for all training ammunition issued to officers.

CBSA Officers

3.0 Ensure that written authorization is obtained from your supervisor/manager to possess and transport firearms and controlled items when traveling but not on duty e.g. if you are required to take a duty firearm home. (See Form BSF390, Authorization to Transport and Store Firearms at a Place Other Than a Canada Border Services Agency Office.)

3.1 Attend a CBSA-approved firing range.

3.2 Ensure that safe handling procedures and safe storage procedures are followed at all times.

3.3 Ensure that CBSA-issued tools and equipment are used only by those who are permitted or authorized to use it.

3.4 CBSA management is to be notified immediately of any incident involving the discharge of a firearm, accidental or in a manner contrary to CBSA policy.  (Please refer to the Policy on Use-of-Force Incident Reporting and Investigation for further information.)

3.5 Clean your duty firearm and reload it with duty ammunition.

3.6 Return any unused ammunition to your manager or issuing office.

Detector Dog Service (DDS) Officers

4.0 Advise your manager when you are required to discharge firearms for DDS training purposes.

4.1 Obtain supplies of ammunition.

4.1.1 Note: The quantity of ammunition used in DDS training firearms is limited to one box (50 rounds) of CBSA-issued 9mm ammunition per calendar quarter (3 months). If your firearm is of a different calibre, complete Form E657, Transfer of Ammunition Receipt for Vendor, and obtain the approval of your district director to purchase ammunition.

4.2 Attend a CBSA-approved firing range.

4.3 Ensure that safe handling procedures are followed at all times.

4.4 Ensure that unused ammunition is safely stored.

4.5 Ensure that firearms used in DDS training are unloaded and securely stored following use.