Quick Reference Guide
Quick Reference Guide
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Quick Reference Guide, New Award & Other Policy Changes - August 2026
This page does not serve as an enforceable policy or SOP, but rather a quick reference guide. When unsure on duty, ask for help!
ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3m 36s
01 Use of Force
01 Use of Force
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No force
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No force
SUBJECT
Complying, non-aggressive. Safe.
YOUR OPTIONS
Presence · verbal commands · cuffs if compliant
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Moderate / Limited
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Moderate / Limited
SUBJECT
Refusing to comply, resisting or fleeing detainment. Potential threat to life or property.
YOUR OPTIONS
Cuffs · pushing · ASP baton (command & push) · taser if fleeing
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Less Lethal
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Less Lethal
SUBJECT
Physically aggressive. Threatening you, themselves or others.
YOUR OPTIONS
M26C taser · ASP baton · physical contact · cuffs
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Deadly force
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Deadly force
SUBJECT
Immediate threat of serious injury or death, or actively attempting it.
YOUR OPTIONS
Point firearm · discharge at offender
USE THE OPTION REPRESENTING THE MINIMAL FORCE NEEDED TO REDUCE THE IMMEDIATE THREAT!
Warning shots are never permitted. Where possible, warn before firing: “POLICE, STOP”. Announce the taser before deploying; short bursts only.
02 Communication
02 Communication
Officers are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times towards Civilians, Colleagues and other Government Employees!
Response Codes
Response Codes
CODE 2 Low priority. No lights, no sirens.
CODE 3 High priority. Lights & sirens.
CODE 4 No further assistance needed.
CODE 6 Stay out of the area.
Codes are optional on voice radio as long as you are clear. Only the codes contained within the handbook are authorised for use.
Most commonly used 10-codes
Most commonly used 10-codes
10-3 stop transmiting
10-15 prisoner in custody
10-20 location
10-29F wanted, felony
10-45C/D patient critical/dead
11-99 OFFICER NEEDS HELP
10-4 received, understood
10-16 pick up prisoner
10-29 record / warrant check
10-29V wanted, vehicle
11-95 traffic stop
Radio Protocol
Radio Protocol
PAPA 1: Dispatch, this is Papa 1.
DISPATCH: Go ahead, Papa 1.
PAPA 1: Close incident #67, it is code 4.
DISPATCH: 10-4, incident #67 closed.
Calm, professional, one message at a time. Protocol can be suspended in life-threatening situations; restore it at the first opportunity. Keep pursuit chatter on unit radio (N), not the government radio. Update your callsign when your role or vehicle changes.
Right to a Supervisor
Right to a Supervisor
The public and detainees may ask for a supervisor. A requested supervisor responds as soon as they are free, and no charges are filed until they have spoken. The detainee may wait at the station.
REFUSE ONLY IF:
A supervisor already reviewed the case and confirmed the charge.
The arresting officer is already a supervisor.
No supervisors on duty, or none available.
03 Traffic Stops in Five Steps
03 Traffic Stops in Five Steps
1
1
GROUNDS
Reasonable suspicion of an offence that happened before the stop. No grounds, no stop.
2
2
INITIATE
Lights on, pull in behind. Cycle the siren or use the notification tone to get their attention.
3
3
LOCATION
Residential or forest road, car park, breakdown zone. Never a live highway lane.
4
4
POSITION
Angle your vehicle outward into traffic to shield yourself. Engine stays running.
5
5
REPORT
ANPR traffic stop on the computer. Call for backup if warranted (do so disrecetely)
04 Driving & Pursuits
04 Driving & Pursuits
Emergency Response
Emergency Response
You may set traffic law aside only while it stays safe. Lights on; siren on wherever traffic or pedestrians could get in the way: narrow streets, corners, junctions, pavements.
Slow at red lights and check for oncoming traffic.
Clear the junction before crossing a stop or yield.
Hold a speed you can still brake from.
Roundabout the wrong way: only if your lane is blocked or you would lose the suspect. Lights, siren, reduced speed, and the damage is yours.
Up off-ramps, down on-ramps: avoid, permitted only where necessary.
Reckless endangerment is still an offence with lights on.
Pursuit
Pursuit
Call for backup immediately with the vehicle description, your location and direction
(from → to), and the suspected offences. Lights and sirens stay on throughout.
STOPPING THE VEHICLE: LEAST FORCE FIRST
1 Spikes & roadblocks. Deploy only with eyes on the vehicle; recover the strips once it passes.
2 Ram, PIT or box in. Best on a divided highway. If public safety isn’t certain, no contact.
3 Firearms. Last resort, severe threat only. Aim for tyres and engine.
NEVER USE FORCE IN A CROWD
05 Responding to Incidents
05 Responding to Incidents
1
1
ACKNOWLEDGE
Assign yourself to the incident. If assigned by dispatch, acknowledge it with a quick radio message.
2
2
ON SCENE
When arriving on scene, inform units through the incident radio you're there. Request for backup if needed in government radio.
3(!)
3(!)
ENTERING PRIVATE PROPERTY
Before entering a private property or building, officers must announce their presence.
4
4
CONFISCATION
Items releated to a crime may only be confiscated when it's safe to do so and the situation is no longer ongoing.
06 Commanding on Scene
06 Commanding on Scene
Who Holds It
Who Holds It
First officer on scene is Officer in Charge (OIC) unless someone is designated.
If the first officer isn’t a Corporal, a Corporal or above takes over on arrival.
A TFIC always assumes OIC at a shootout.
A higher-ranked supervisor may assume command, and must communicate it.
What the OIC Does
What the OIC Does
Run the incident and coordinate every unit on it.
Keep dispatch and colleagues updated as it unfolds.
Get prisoners back to the station.
Handing over? Give your replacement a current status and keep assisting.
If You're Assisting
If You're Assisting
Everything about the incident goes through the OIC.
Follow their instructions. Don’t make calls that cut across them.
Got useful information? Pass it up; they decide.
* This page is not policy binding.
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