Use of Force Guidelines

 Definition Of Use Of Force

Any peace officer that has reasonable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed a public offense may use reasonable force to effect the arrest, to prevent escape or to overcome resistance. A peace officer who makes or attempts to make an arrest need not retreat or desist from his/her efforts by reason of resistance or threatened resistance of the person being arrested; nor shall such officer be deemed the aggressor or lose his/her right to self defense by the use of reasonable force to effect the arrest or to prevent escape or to overcome resistance.

Use of Force

Level 1 - Verbal Commands

Level 2 - Physical Compliance techniques (Cuffing/restraining)

Level 3 - Defensive tactics (Punching/Tackling)

Level 4 -  Non-Lethal Force (Taser/Baton)

Level 5 - Deadly Force (Firearms)

Tasers

Officers on duty carry a taser device. This tool is considered less than lethal but not entirely non lethal due to inherent risks to health, location of prong strike, and the situation the subject is in. Tazers should not be used as as the first means of restraining a suspect a de escalation from voice then a tackle should be the first option also when a taser is deployed it should be announced cleary to the suspect also when going for cuffs on a suspect that should also be announced as “going for cuffs” or something of a similar nature

When preparing to tase a subject, officers should issue a warning to the effect of “If you do not comply, I will tase you.”

When a taser is deployed, officers should, when possible, declare ‘taser taser taser’ before firing. 

No subject should be tased on ladders, vehicles, edges of rooftops (or when running/walking towards an edge) or near slopes or drops.

Tasers should be preferentially used as a compliance tool, not the first method of stopping foot pursuits.  It is ideal to save your Taser for those cases where a life might be saved rather than someone running. Tackling is a favored option for these cases.

Passive compliant – a person who recognizes the authority of the officer's presence and follows the verbal commands of the officer.

Passive resistive – a person who refuses to follow the verbal commands of the officer but does not resist attempts by officers to take positive physical control over them.

Active resistor – a person who does not follow verbal commands, resists attempts by the officer to take positive physical control over them, and does not try to inflict harm on the officer.

Active aggressor – a person who does not follow verbal commands, resists attempts by the officer to take positive physical control over them and attempts to cause harm to the officer or others.

Suspects carrying weapons - A person carrying a lethal weapon has 15 seconds to holster the weapon when instructed if they proceed to flee or not comply they will be shot by officers to negate a threat the only time this doesnt apply is in an active hostage situation