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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUse Of ForceUSE OF FORCE Purpose: The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for: A: Using physical force, chemical agents, Advanced Taser, Lethal Force B: Ensuring that all departmental regulations on the use of force are understood and adhered to. Policy: Employees of the Jeffersonville Police Department shall not use more force than is reasonably necessary to accomplish their lawful objective. In any analysis of a use of force incident, consideration must be made for the fact that officers of this department are often fomed to make split-second judgments in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving. Use of force is usually reactionary in that the officer is responding to a subject's actions. The officer's goal may then change in response to the subject's actions. Officer's may immediately use any authorized option if justified. Progression of use of force options will normally proceed along the force continuum. That being as follows: A: LOW LEVEL Presence/Verbal persuasion Empty hands (pressure points) B: INTERMEDIATE LEVEL Physical Restraints (joint locks, control holds) Chemical Agents (OC/Pepper spray) Advanced Taser X-26 (Drive stun and probes) C: HIGH LEVEL Physical Contact (kicks, elbow, palms, knee strikes and punches) Impact Weapons Less lethal devices (baton rounds, beanbag rounds, inclusive of those fired from Firearms) Police K-9 utilization Stop Sticks, Stinger spikes, or other authorized tire puncture devices used against occupied vehicles. D: LETHAL FORCE Firearms Any use of force shall be preceded by a verbal warning that force will be used against the subject if he/she will not comply. The warning is not necessary if doing so will endanger an officer or take away a tactical advantage. The officer employing force does not have to be the officer giving the warning. These policies are for departmental use only and do not apply in any criminal or civil proceeding. Violations of these policies will only form the basis for departmental administrative actions. ADVANCED TASER X-26 Advanced Taser X-26 is an alternative less lethal application of force not intended to replace firearms or defensive tactics. Studies to date have shown that the Advanced Taser X-26 when used as trained has little or no lethal potential. The use of Advanced Taser X- 26 shall be in accordance with required training programs. Only personnel who have successfully completed the required training will be allowed to use them. A. When to Carry- Any officer that has successfully completed training shall carry the Advanced Taser X-26 while on duty. B. How to Carry 1. Only authorized holsters will be used to carry the Advanced Taser X-26. 2. The Advanced Taser X-26 will be worn on the duty belt (weak side cross draw). 3. The Taser shall remain holstered at all times unless being tested, demonstrated in professional manner or being used to respond to an incident. C. Readiness and Safety of Advanced Taser X-26 1. Each officer will perform a spark test at least once each week to ensure the Advanced Taser X-26 is properly functioning. 2. The Advanced Taser X-26 will not be left unattended unless properly stored. 3. If an officer's digital power magazine (DPM) on the X-26 reaches 20% ,it shall be replaced by a certified instructor. C. Deployment of the Advanced Taser X-26 1. May be used to detain or arrest a subject when the officer has reason to believe that has committed a criminal offense and is displaying active resistance, active aggression, or aggravated active aggression. 2. Maybe used to protect a subject when that person is either attempting to injure himself or commit suicide. 3. Deployment of the Advanced Taser X-26 shall be backed up with the availability of lethal force. 4. Whenever possible, the use of the Advanced Taser X-26 will be preceded by a verbal warning that force will be used if compliance is not obtained. 5. The deployment of the Advanced Taser X-26 will be reasonable and based on the totality of the circumstances known by the officer. 6. The officer must consider the potential injury to subjects who are running, traveling at high speeds (bikes, mopeds, skateboards, etc.) Age and physical handicaps should also be taken into consideration. 7. Officers will not deploy the Advanced Taser X-26 at moving vehicles except only under extreme circumstances. D. Post Use Procedures (probe removal) 1. See attached document" Guide to the removal of Taser probes" E. Documentation Each drive stun and discharge, including accidental discharges, of the Advance Taser X-26 shall be documented by a computer entry and blotter update. 1. A full case report should be completed documenting the use of the Advanced Taser X-26. Guidelines for Police Officer Removal of Taser Probes from Subject Supplies: Surgical gloves, Antiseptic wipes,Band-Aids,Spent Cartridges, Biohazard Stickers Subject Safety: DO NOT attempt removal of probes if subject is combative DO NOT attempt removal of probes if the location of the probes are in the following: Face Neck Ear Breast Groin Deeply imbedded Head Eye Probes that are superficially in the skin may be removed by an officer who is to do so and under the supervision of another officer. Procedure: 1. Officer dons gloves 2. Places spent Taser cartridge on the ground or other flat surface with holes up 3. Firmly grasp the probe and with one hand and place the support hand against the surrounding area of the probe location. Make sure to allow several inches so with one firm pull the probe is quickly removed from the skin and enough room exist so as not to scratch or cut your support hand. 4. Place the probe point down into the spent cartridge. DO NOT HOLD CARTRIDGE IN HAND WHILE ATTEMPTING THIS, INSTEAD MAKE SURE TO KEEP THE SPENT CARTRIDGE ON THE GROUNO OR OTHER FLAT SURFACE. 5. With antiseptic wipe, clean the skin in circular motion moving from the puncture site- outward. Very dirty skin will need more than one cleaning. Use a new antiseptic wipe or each cleaning. 6. Repeat same procedure for second probe. 7. After air-drying apply Band-Aid to probe site. 8. Each fired probe MUST be treated as a biohazard whether it is in the skin or not at the time of post-deployment evaluation. 9. Secure holes of spent Taser air cartridge with tape and apply biohazard label. 10. Handle, store and dispose of or place in evidence as with any other bio-hazardous articles. 11. Assess subject for any injury or condition that may need medical attention and seek out appropriate service for the subject. 12. Remove gloves in approved manner clean hands with hand sanitizer. Prepared for the Jeffersonville Police Department by training division