Does everyone have ‘em now? The original decision was to just give ‘em to the Sergeants, ‘cause they didn’t trust the grunts. But then again, that was back in Chief Willie days.
I believe it is Field Training Officers (3 years) and above now....only 1/4 of the officers pass the training with SWAT.
LAPD manual...
556.90 USE OF THE URBAN POLICE RIFLE AND SHOTGUN SLUG AMMUNITION. In performing its mission to protect the people of this City, the Department equips officers with weapons sufficient to control most field situations. In determining the type of weapons and ammunition routinely carried by field officers, a careful balance must be achieved between our urban setting and the degree of danger we face. For anticipated events which pose a higher degree of danger, special units are equipped and trained to use more powerful weapons consistent with the anticipated threat level. However, unanticipated field situations occasionally arise which require immediate access to specialized weapons in order to control the situation and protect the community as well as the officers responding to the incident.
In recognition of this need, the Department has authorized the field deployment of special weapons and ammunition. However, these weapons and ammunition may only be deployed by specially trained field officers including trained supervisors, and absent an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury which precludes waiting for approval, supervisory approval is required prior to using these weapons and ammunition during a field situation.
The Urban Police Rifle (UPR) and Shotgun Slug Ammunition (SSA) may be used to assist officers who respond to an unplanned and spontaneous incident involving a suspect(s) who is wearing protective body armor, believed to be armed with or who has immediate access to a high powered weapons, or who is believed to be armed and situated in a distant or fortified location which affords the suspect(s) a tactically superior position. The use of UPRs and SSA is intended to minimize the risk of death or serious bodily injury to officers as well as members of the community. Generally, the UPR should not be deployed indoors because of the weapon’s penetration capability. Though the deployment of the UPR and SSA is usually restricted to spontaneous events, the Chief of Police or the Department Commander may authorize their deployment on a pre-planned basis for station defense, in conjunction with a Mobile Field Force or in other extraordinary, high-risk emergency events. In every case, deployment of the UPR and SSA shall be in accordance with the Department’s Use of Force Policy including all of its reporting requirements.