S505- Use of Force

Question 1

S505- Use of Force

Question 2

Establish standards and practice governing the use of force to ensure that it is reasonable, necessary, and suitable to the confrontation and must not continue after the need for its use has been achieved

Question 3

All security staff shall be trained in self-defense and the use of force to control inmates

Question 4

Officers must utilize a continuum of force in the performance of their duties when it is necessary, reasonable and suitable to use force

Question 5

Officers are expected to use force effectively; in other words, sufficient in amount and type and timely in application whenever circumstances warrant the use of force.

Question 6

Officers shall under no circumstances use, or permit the use of, excessive force.

Question 7

Officers shall under no circumstances use, or permit the use of, force as a method of punishment or revenge.

Question 8

The use of force must not continue after the purpose for which it was applied has been achieved.

Question 8

Officers shall use only Department-approved weapons and techniques, and only in the manner in which they have been trained.

Question 9

Officers shall not be issued, and may not handle or use, authorized weapons or restraints until they have been trained and qualified by this Department.

Question 10

Officers shall not alter or modify any weapon without prior Department approval.

Question 11

All persons (staff, inmates, others) who are injured in an incident shall receive immediate medical examination and treatment

Question 12

An officer present and observing another officer using or attempting to use physical force, beyond that which is necessary or objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances, shall intervene to prevent the observed officer’s use of unnecessary or unreasonable force regardless of the rank of the officer so observed, unless intervening would result in imminent harm to the officer or another identifiable individual

Question 13

Force: use of physical power, or any weapon or chemical agent, to overcome, compel, or restrain a person.

Question 13

Reasonable force: an appropriate level in the use of force continuum in consideration of the total circumstances, including but not limited to, the nature of the offense, the behavior of the subject, the physical odds against the officer, and the feasibility or availability of alternatives.

Question 14

Physical force: use of physical power, or any weapon or chemical agent, to overcome, compel, or restrain a person.

Question 15

Excessive force: force that exceeds reasonable force as defined in this policy.

Question 16

Deadly (or lethal) force: force that is intended to, or likely to result in, serious bodily injury or death.

Question 17

Non-deadly (or non-lethal) force: force that is not intended, or not likely, to result in, death or serious bodily injury.

Question 18

Serious bodily injury: a degree of injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that is likely to cause permanent disfigurement or loss, or extended impairment.

Question 18

Forced Cell Move (FCM): the pre-authorized removal by force of an uncooperative, resisting inmate from a cell or other area using approved team tactics and authorized weapons and techniques.

Question 19

This degree and type of force may be used only with prior authorization by the Shift Commander, and only by officers specifically trained and authorized for participation in FCM.

Question 20

Force may be used for the following purposes to:

Answer 20

◦ Prevent the commission of a felony, including an escape;
◦ Prevent an act which could result in death or serious injury;
◦ Defend against physical assaults;
◦ Prevent serious damage to property;
◦ Prevent or quell a riot or attempted take-over of all or part of the facility by an inmate(s);
◦ Move a non-compliant inmate who has refused a proper order;
◦ Apprehend an escaped inmate;
◦ Overcome passive resistance to a lawful act; and
◦ overcome violent resistance to a lawful act

Question 21

Prior authorization for the use of force is not always required

Question 22

When the need for force can be reasonably anticipated it is recommended that officers seek prior authorization from a supervisor.

Question 23

When prior authorization is given, and it is practical to do so, the application of force should be directed and witnessed by a supervisor

Question 24

Prior authorization of the Shift Commander should be obtained before using force to remove an inmate from a cell, unless this is impractical

Question 25

Prior authorization by the Shift Commander is required for the continued application of restraints while confined to a cell

Question 26

The use of force will be implemented in a level of continuum based on the circumstances presented.

Question 27

A continuum in the use of force will include:

Answer 27

◦ Presence – being there in uniform, neat, maintaining proper stance;
◦ Verbalization – clear, concise orders;
◦ OC – an inflammatory agent which temporarily incapacitates an individual and affects the eyes, nose, mouth and throat;
◦ Empty Hand Technique – palm heel, forearm/knee strikes, arm bars, wrist locks, etc.;
◦ Baton – non-lethal impact instrument;
◦ Specialty Impact Munitions – direct impact or beanbag round;
◦ K-9; and
◦ Firearm – deadly force

Question 28

Forced cell moves will be conducted by trained staff

Question 29

The use of deadly force is permitted only as a last resort when all other means have failed and then only in the following instances: DEFENSE OF LIFE

Question 30

Deadly force may be used to protect life, either the officer’s own or the life of another when:

Answer 30

◦ the subject has, or appears to have, the ability to cause death or serious bodily injury;
◦ the subject has the opportunity to cause death or serious bodily injury;
◦ the threat to life is imminent; and
◦ the officer reasonably believes that the use of deadly force creates no substantial risk to innocent persons

Question 31

The application of force includes the use of weaponless techniques, physical skills and the use of authorized weapons.

Question 32

Weapons should not be brandished unless it is reasonable to believe that it may be Necessary to use the weapon.

Question 33

This does not prohibit an officer from carrying a weapon in a safe, ready condition when its use is anticipated

Question 34

When using Non-Deadly force avoid: eyes, temples, spine, testicles

Question 35

Officers should not use chokeholds

Question 36

During an extremely violent attack when no alternative is available, it may be necessary for an officer to escalate to a degree and type of force greater than that which is normally used. In such an instance, the officer will be required to explain and justify such an unusual action.

Question 37

OC and chemical agents will be issued only to officers who have, within the previous twenty-four (24) months received documented training and treatment of exposed parties

Question 38

Except in emergency situations, OC and chemical agents are not permitted within the secure perimeter

Question 39

OC and chemical agents may only be used within the facility with the prior approval of the Shift Commander

Question 40

The issue of OC or chemicals will be recorded in the post logbook

Question 41

If OC or a chemical agent is discharged in any instance, excluding approved training, a written report will be submitted to the Shift Commander by the end of the officer’s shift

Question 42

Examples of SIM: impact weapons, pepper balls launchers, stinger, 40mm rubber and foam batons.

Question 43

SIM are the appropriate type of force to be used when a physical confrontation has escalated to a level where a lesser type and amount of force would not be sufficient to overcome resistance and/or would not be suitable to the confrontation

Question 44

Use of SIM inside the facility is restricted and permitted only with prior authorization of the Superintendent or designee

Question 45

SIM are designed for the delivery of force that is not intended to result in death or serious bodily injury, but that is more likely to result in serious bodily injury than non-lethal force options

Question 46

If SIM are discharged in any instance, excluding approved training, a written report will be submitted to the Shift Commander by the end of the officer’s shift

Question 47

The discharge of a firearm at any time other than during authorized practice, regardless of intent, will be considered an application of deadly force.

Question 48

Whenever a firearm is discharged, other than during authorized practice, a written report will be submitted to the Shift Commander by the end of the officer’s shift.

Question 49

Except during routine transportation outside the facility or movement within the facility (cooperative restraint), the application of restraints will be considered a use of force a supervisor will be notified as soon as possible and a written report will be submitted to the Shift Commander in accordance with policy

Question 50

Medical examination and treatment is required for every person against whom physical force is used, and shall be documented by medical staff.

Question 51

All refusals of medical treatment by inmates can only be made to, and documented by, medical staff

Question 52

If a chemical agent or OC is used, all persons exposed to the agent will be decontaminated and examined for such further medical treatment as may be necessary.

Question 53

Whenever an officer uses force in the performance of their duties, a supervisor will be verbally notified as soon as possible.

Question 54

This notification should include the names of those persons involved, witnesses, the reason for using force, the degree and type of force used, and a description of apparent injuries.

Question 54

Whenever physical force is used, medical staff will be notified and those involved will be examined and treated as necessary

Question 55

Whenever an officer uses force in the performance of their duties, a use of force report and a written narrative will be completed as soon as possible after conclusion of the incident but not later than the end of the officer’s shift.2

Question 56

A written use of force report narrative will include:

Answer 56

◦ an accounting of the events leading to the use of force;
◦ a precise description of the incident;
◦ the purpose for using force;
◦ a description of the degree and type of force used;
◦ whether any weapons were involved;
◦ time medical staff was notified, person notified and time arrived on scene;
◦ description of all observed injuries and known treatment given; and
◦ Identification of all participants and witnesses.

Question 57

The completed use of force report and narrative must be submitted to the Shift Commander.

Question 58

Once the SC has completed a threshold inquiry and is satisfied with reports will then send them to AS/OPS

Question 59

Photographs will be taken of every person against whom physical force was used whenever an injury has occurred or is apparent, and whenever there is a claim of injury or of excessive force

Question 60

Photographs will be taken under the direction of the area supervisor as soon as practical following the use of force event

Question 60

Video recording will include continuous taping of the incident, from recording the inmate’s behavior prior to the use of force, through the medical examination and treatment provided immediately after the application of force

Question 61

All planned, pre-approved applications of force, including FCM and securing an inmate in the restraint chair, will be recorded on videotape to:

Answer 61

◦ clearly establish the identities of staff, inmate(s), and others involved;
◦ document and describe the nature of the incident; and
◦ enable a critique of the tactical response for training purposes

Question 62

Area/Floor Supervisor (Lt. or Capt.) assigned to the area where the incident occurred will conduct initial inquiry regarding the Use of Force and reports and then will brief the SC.

Question 63

The Shift Commander may require a written report at any time from any employee who witnessed or has information relevant to an inquiry into a use of force event

Question 64

If Supt. suspects any violation of the law or excessive Use of Force then they will forward to SID a complete set of documents:

Answer 64

◦ all use of force report forms;
◦ all use of force report narratives;
◦ all disciplinary report(s);
◦ all medical observation form(s);
◦ all photographs taken and videotape cassette (if recorded);
◦ the Shift Commander’s cover sheet; and
◦ Any other relevant reports (including employee accident reports).

Question 64

Whenever a serious injury or death occurs in a use-of-force incident, immediate notifications will be made

Question 65

All custody staff will be trained in approved methods of self-defense and use of force.

Question 66

All personnel authorized to carry and use authorized weapons will be trained and qualified in their use.

Question 67

All personnel authorized to use chemical agents or OC will be trained in their use and in the treatment of individuals exposed to such agents.