The MCOLES Active Duty Firearm Standard has been a work in progress for several years.  Discussions regarding a standard began in conjunction with policy considerations on implementing the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (LEOSA).  A key consideration in developing this standard was its potential to positively impact officer safety and survival. In the development process, a significant amount of time was spent looking at problems occurring in actual officer-involved shootings. Our research verified what experts in Michigan and across the nation have already said. There are gaps between what is often stressed in firearms training, i.e. marksmanship, and the actual challenges that officers face in close quarter combat.

Mandatory reporting regarding compliance with the MCOLES Active Duty Firearm Standard will begin January 1, 2010 as a part of the MCOLES Annual Registration process.  Agency operators completing the annual registration process through the MCOLES Information and Tracking Network will be asked to assure compliance on behalf of the agency for every officer appearing on the agency roster.  This will occur by way of a single "check off" box.  Agencies that have officers who are not in compliance should formalize a remediation plan designed to bring the officer into compliance. 

The system also features a mechanism for tracking of training.  Agencies and/or training consortia may find this extremely useful not only for the purpose of tracking compliance with this standard but for tracking all agency training. 

The following guides will assist in understanding the reporting process:

• Law Enforcement Agency Reporting Guide
• In-Service Training Provider Reporting Guide
  

What to do with Failures.  Officers who have not been able to meet this standard need special attention.  The responsibility for providing remedial attention rests with the employer.  In very rare circumstances, such as the development of a medical condition, an officer may not be able to comply, despite remedial efforts.  Under these circumstances, agencies should consider re-assigning such an officer to a non-enforcement capacity until the problem can be resolved.    

Questions?  Contact Danny Rosa at 517-322-6449 or rosad@michigan.gov.