Salt Lake City, UT — A recent incident involving a Salt Lake City police officer’s firearm malfunction has sparked concerns regarding the safety protocols and firearm readiness within local police departments. Officer Clifton Payton’s gun failed to discharge during an encounter with a severely mentally ill man, raising critical questions about firearm safety and preparedness.
The incident occurred while Officer Payton was inside his police SUV, alongside a woman on a ride-along, attempting to run a vehicle identification check on an individual he had pulled over. According to body camera footage, Payton attempted to fire his weapon but was met with a click instead of a shot when he pulled the trigger. In response, Payton performed what is known as a “failure drill,” quickly racking the slide of his weapon to chamber another round.
Chris Bertram, a retired deputy chief of the Unified Police Department and a criminal justice expert, analyzed the footage and suggested three potential reasons for the malfunction: faulty ammunition, an unloaded gun, or a mechanical failure of the firearm. “Any police officer that comes to work with an unloaded gun is not ready to go,” Bertram remarked, emphasizing the gravity of such an issue in law enforcement. He further explained that officers are expected to perform a “press check” before their shift to ensure their weapons are properly loaded and ready to fire.
However, Salt Lake City Police Department’s firearms policy does not explicitly state that officers must carry their duty weapon with a round in the chamber — a standard practice in many police departments nationwide. In contrast, the Ogden Police Department’s use of force and firearms policy specifically mandates that officers carry their duty pistols with a fully loaded magazine and a round in the chamber, a practice that aligns with national standards. This discrepancy raises concerns about whether the Salt Lake City department’s policies align with best practices in law enforcement.
Bertram voiced concern that if the issue with the firearm stemmed from faulty ammunition or a malfunction in the gun itself, it could present a wider problem for law enforcement agencies. “If that ammunition failed, we have a significant problem,” he warned, noting that such ammunition is typically issued across police departments. If the issue is linked to a particular batch of ammunition or a defect in the firearm model, it could affect the safety of other officers who are using the same equipment.
Despite the potential risks involved, the incident did not result in injury to Officer Payton, the ride-along passenger, or the individual involved in the stop. However, Bertram emphasized that it is crucial for police departments to investigate the malfunction thoroughly and determine its cause. “If it’s a manufacturing issue with the bullet or the gun, we need to know,” he said, adding that other officers carrying the same model of firearm or ammunition could be at risk.
The Salt Lake City Police Department has yet to comment on the incident, and it remains unclear whether Payton’s weapon was properly loaded at the time of the malfunction. This event underscores the need for thorough firearm protocols and heightened awareness regarding weapon readiness, particularly in high-stakes situations.
As scrutiny mounts, experts agree that this issue must be addressed to ensure that officers are always prepared to respond to dangerous situations swiftly and safely. This incident could prompt a review of firearm policies, with implications for how police departments across the country ensure their officers are equipped and ready to protect both the public and themselves.