Each juvenile probation department that employs a juvenile
probation officer who is authorized to carry a firearm in accordance
with the requirements in this subchapter must maintain and implement
written policies and procedures that:
(1) define which juvenile probation officers within
the department are authorized to carry firearms;
(2) specify the amount of required training hours in
the following areas before a juvenile probation officer may carry
a firearm in the course of the officer's duties:
(A) use of an empty-hand defense tactic; and
(B) use of at least one intermediate weapon;
(3) specify the amount of continuing education hours
required every two years for an officer to continue to carry a firearm
in the course of the officer's duties;
(4) require continuing education hours to be in areas
that enhance the officer's skills and knowledge relating to the proficient
and legal use of a firearm, empty-hand defense tactics, and intermediate
weapons in the context of self-defense and defense of third parties,
including the following topics, at a minimum:
(A) use of force;
(B) weapons retention; and
(C) crisis intervention;
(5) specify the duties and training requirements of
the chief administrative officer or the direct supervisor of a juvenile
probation officer in cases where the following circumstances exist:
(A) a juvenile probation officer is authorized to carry
a firearm in the course of his/her official duties; and
(B) the direct supervisor of the juvenile probation
officer does not carry a firearm in the course of his/her official
duties;
(6) require all training described in this section
to be received from a TCOLE-certified instructor;
(7) state whether firearms and intermediate weapons
are to be purchased and maintained by the department or the individual
officer;
(8) require that the firearm and intermediate weapons
remain under the control of the officer authorized to carry the firearm
and weapon(s);
(9) specify whether the firearm must be fully loaded
when carried or worn when the officer is in the course of his/her
official duties;
(10) specify how credentials identifying the officer
as a certified juvenile probation officer must be carried and/or displayed
while the officer is carrying a firearm in accordance with this subchapter;
(11) describe the circumstances and limitations under
which the officer is justified to use force, which must be consistent
with Chapter 9 of the Texas Penal Code;
(12) specify the firearms to be carried, including
the type of firearm, manufacturer, model, and caliber;
(13) specify the type of ammunition authorized for
use in the firearm;
(14) specify the type(s) of intermediate weapons to
be used;
(15) state whether the firearm must be carried in plain
view or concealed and the manner in which it must be worn or carried;
(16) require documentation of each incident in which
a juvenile probation officer, while in the course of his/her official
duties, uses an empty-hand defense tactic, uses an intermediate weapon,
or draws or discharges a firearm;
(17) require the officer to carry an intermediate weapon
at all times while the officer is carrying a firearm;
(18) specify the manner in which the intermediate weapon(s)
must be carried;
(19) define the process for rescinding or suspending
the authorization to carry a firearm;
(20) prohibit the consumption of alcohol while carrying
a firearm or intermediate weapon;
(21) define the process for conducting an internal
investigation when required by §341.806(b) of this title; and
(22) require that a juvenile probation officer be placed
on administrative leave or be reassigned to a position having no contact
with juveniles or relatives of the juvenile involved in the incident
when required by §341.806(d) of this title.
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