OHIO PRIVATE SECURITY
SHOTGUN AND PATROL VEHICLE FIREARMS POLICY
Prepared and Reviewed By:
Commander T. Reed
Cleveland Corporate Protection Services
POLICY DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT
This policy has been developed for the professional use of Cleveland Corporate Protection Services to establish comprehensive standards governing the lawful authorization, transportation, storage, accountability, training, and use of shotguns assigned to qualified armed private-security personnel.
The policy is intended to promote the following principles:
Professionalism • Accountability • Training • Legal Compliance • Officer Safety • Public Safety
All personnel shall comply with applicable provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, requirements of the Ohio Administrative Code, company policies, post orders, and all applicable firearms-training standards.
Commander T. Reed
Cleveland Corporate Protection Services
POLICY ADDITION
Cleveland Corporate Protection Services shall maintain written procedures governing the issuance, inspection, maintenance, transportation, storage, and return of all company-assigned shotguns and patrol-vehicle firearms. Only personnel who are properly authorized, currently qualified, and legally permitted to carry or access a company firearm may possess, handle, transport, or deploy that firearm.
Personal shotguns may be used for on-duty assignments only with the prior written approval of the company and the employee’s supervisor. Before a personal shotgun is authorized for duty use, the employee shall provide the firearm’s make, model, and serial number for company records and verification. The firearm shall be inspected and approved by an authorized supervisor or qualified armorer to confirm its safe condition, reliable operation, suitability for the assigned duties, and compatibility with required equipment and ammunition. The employee shall demonstrate adequate proficiency and safe handling during any required qualification or evaluation. No personal shotgun may be carried, stored in a patrol vehicle, or deployed on duty until serial-number verification, inspection, approval, and any required qualification have been completed and documented. Any change in the firearm, its condition, ownership, or serial-number information shall be reported immediately and may require reinspection and reapproval.
Ammunition for any company-assigned or approved personal shotgun shall be limited to slugs, self-defense double-ought buckshot (00 buckshot), or less-lethal ammunition, and less-lethal ammunition may be used only when the shotgun is certified and approved for that ammunition. Ammunition shall be compatible with the specific firearm and authorized by the company. Employees shall not carry, load, store, or deploy any other shotgun ammunition for on-duty use unless expressly authorized in writing by the company and permitted by applicable law and training requirements.
All assigned firearms shall remain secured whenever they are not under the immediate control of an authorized employee. Firearms shall be stored in accordance with applicable law, company procedures, post orders, and manufacturer recommendations. Employees shall immediately report any lost, stolen, damaged, missing, or unauthorized-access firearm, ammunition, or related equipment to a supervisor and, when required, to the appropriate law-enforcement agency.
Before each shift, the assigned employee shall inspect the firearm and related equipment to verify their condition, cleanliness, safe operation, and accountability. Any defect, malfunction, discrepancy, or safety concern shall be reported immediately. The firearm shall not be placed into service until it has been inspected and cleared by an authorized supervisor or qualified armorer.
The use of deadly force is governed by applicable law, company policy, training, and the circumstances known to the employee at the time. Nothing in this policy authorizes conduct that is unlawful or inconsistent with applicable Ohio requirements. Violations of this policy may result in removal from armed duty, retraining, disciplinary action, termination, and referral to law-enforcement or regulatory authorities when appropriate.
ORC COMPLIANCE
Cleveland Corporate Protection Services shall review this policy periodically to confirm consistency with applicable provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Administrative Code, licensing requirements, and other controlling federal, state, and local laws. Where a conflict exists, the controlling law shall govern, and the company shall promptly update this policy, related training, and post orders as necessary.
Policy Created: September 1, 2026
