Use of Force Flashcards
(33 cards)
Where Can You Find FPD’s Use of Force Policy?
Section 300 in FPD Policy Manualko
What is FPD’s Use of Force Policy?rv
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300.3 Officers shall use only that amount of force that reasonably appears necessary given the facts and gvSncircumstances perceived by the officer at the time of the event to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose.dr
What factors must be considered in regards to use of force?
Severity of threat, Conduct of Suspect, Effects of Drugs/ Mental State, Officer/ Suspect differences (size), Seriousness of offense, Potential for injury to officers or others.
When can an Officer utilize a carotid control hold?
300.3.4
The subject is violent or physically resisting. The subject, by words or actions, has demonstrated an intention to be violent and reasonably appears to have the potential to harm officers, him/herself or others.
When should officers avoid using the carotid?trif dj guide unj
- 3.4
- Females who are known to be pregnant
- Elderly individuals
- Obvious juveniles
What must you do after the Carotid Control hold is Used?
300.3.4 Request Paramedics Notify Supervisor Notify person taking custody (WVDC) Document its use in report
When can an Officer Use Deadly Force?
300.4
An officer may use deadly force to protect him/herself or others from what he/she reasonably believes would be an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.
The person has a weapon or is attempting to access one and it is reasonable to believe the person intends to use it against the officer or another.
The person is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death without a weapon and it is reasonable to believe the person intends to do so.
And to stop a fleeing felon where threat of injury or death to public or officers is imminent.
Can Officers shoot from a moving vehicle? Or at a Moving Vehicle?
300.4.1
Officers should move out of the path of an approaching vehicle instead of discharging their firearm at the vehicle or any of its occupants. An officer should only discharge a firearm at a moving vehicle or its occupants when the officer reasonably believes there are no other reasonable means available to avert the threat of the vehicle, or if deadly force other than the vehicle is directed at the officer or others.
Officers should not shoot at any part of a vehicle in an attempt to disable the vehicle
Can Officers fire warning shots?
300.4.2
It is discouraged unless extreme circumstances dictate its use.
“Generally, warning shots fired for the purpose of summoning aid are discouraged and may not be discharged unless the officer reasonably believes that they appear necessary, effective and reasonably safe.”
When is a use of force report required?
300.5
ny use of force by a member of this department shall be documented promptly, completely and accurately in an appropriate report, depending on the nature of the incident. The officer should articulate the factors perceived and why he/she believed the use of force was reasonable under the circumstances. Officers should take photographs of the suspect and any injuries sustained (or areas of complaints of pain) to the suspect. It is also recommended that officers take overall photographs of the suspect in order to document any lack of visible injuries.
What should you do after force has been used?
- Notify Supervisor -300.5.1
- Give suspect Medical Attention - 300.6
- Document Use of Force in report, Including taking photographs of injuries.- 300.5
What are the Supervisor’s Responsibilities when an officer uses force?
- 7
(a) Obtain the basic facts from the involved officers. Absent an allegation of misconduct or excessive force, this will be considered a routine contact in the normal course of duties.
(b) Ensure that any injured parties are examined and treated.
(c) When possible, separately obtain a recorded interview with the subject upon whom force was applied.
(d) Once any initial medical assessment has been completed or first aid has been rendered, ensure that photographs have been taken of any areas involving visible injury or complaint of pain, as well as overall photographs of uninjured areas. These photographs should be downloaded into laser fiche.
(e) Identify any witnesses not already included in related reports.
(f) Review and approve all related reports.
(g) Evaluate the circumstances surrounding the incident and initiate an administrative investigation if there is a question of policy non-compliance or if for any reason further investigation may be appropriate.
When can an officer use a Baton? What areas should be targeted?
308.5
The need to immediately control a suspect must be weighed against the risk of causing serious injury. The head, neck, throat, spine, heart, kidneys and groin should not be intentionally targeted except when the officer reasonably believes the suspect poses an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to the officer or others.
Should Pepper Spray be used on groups or crowds who fail to disperse?
308.7
Pepper projectiles and OC spray should not, however, be used against individuals or groups who merely fail to disperse or do not reasonably appear to present a risk to the safety of officers or the public.
When can Officers utilize pepper spray?
308.7
As with other control devices, oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray and pepper projectiles may be considered for use to bring under control an individual or groups of individuals who are engaging in, or are about to engage in violent behavior.
What do you do after OC has been used?
308.8
Whenever tear gas or OC has been introduced into a residence, building interior, vehicle or other enclosed area, officers should provide the owners or available occupants with notice of the possible presence of residue that could result in irritation or injury if the area is not properly cleaned. Such notice should include advisement that clean up will be at the owner’s expense. Information regarding the method of notice and the individuals notified should be included in related reports.
When can officers use bean bag rounds?
- 9.1
(a) The suspect is armed with a weapon and the tactical circumstances allow for the safe application of approved munitions.
(b) The suspect has made credible threats to harm him/herself or others.
(c) The suspect is engaged in riotous behavior or is throwing rocks, bottles or other dangerous projectiles at people and/or officers.
(d) There is probable cause to believe that the suspect has already committed a crime of violence and is refusing to comply with lawful orders.
When can an officer use a Taser?
- 5.1
(a) The subject is violent or is physically resisting.
(b) The subject has demonstrated, by words or action, an intention to be violent or to physically resist, and reasonably appears to present the potential to harm officers, him/herself or others.
“Mere flight from a pursuing officer, without other known circumstances or factors, is not good cause for the use of the TASER device to apprehend an individual.”
Generally, when should an officer NOT deploy the Taser?
- 5.2
(a) Individuals who are known to be pregnant.
(b) Elderly individuals or obvious juveniles.
(c) Individuals with obviously low body mass.
(d) Individuals who are handcuffed or otherwise restrained.
(e) Individuals who have been recently sprayed with a flammable chemical agent or who are otherwise in close proximity to any known combustible vapor or flammable material, including alcohol-based oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray.
(f) Individuals whose position or activity may result in collateral injury (e.g., falls from height, operating vehicles).
What should officers do after Taser has been deployed?
309.5.5
Officers shall notify a supervisor of all TASER device discharges. The probes are to be treated as biohazard material and disposed of accordingly (sharps container). The wires are to be collected from the scene and disposed of. The spent cartridge should be collected as evidence and booked into property.
What are the Supervisor’s responsibilities after the Taser has been deployed?
309.8
When possible, supervisors should respond to calls when they reasonably believe there is a likelihood the TASER device may be used. A supervisor should respond to all incidents where the TASER device was activated.
A supervisor should review each incident where a person has been exposed to an activation of the TASER device. The device’s onboard memory should be downloaded through the data port by a supervisor or Rangemaster and saved with the related arrest/crime report. Photographs of probe sites should be taken and witnesses interviewed.
Where can you find FPD’s OIS policy?
Section 310 of FPD Manual
What are the Supervisor’s Duties in an OIS?
- 5.1
(a) Take all reasonable steps to obtain emergency medical attention for all known injured individuals.
(b) Attempt to obtain a brief overview of the situation from any non-shooter officer(s).
(c) If necessary, the supervisor may administratively order any officer from this department to immediately provide public safety information necessary to secure the scene and pursue suspects. - Public safety information shall be limited to such things as outstanding suspect information, number and direction of shots fired, parameters of the incident scene, identity of known witnesses and similar information.
(d) Absent a voluntary statement from any officer(s), the initial on scene supervisor should not attempt to order any officer to provide other than public safety information.
(e) Provide all available information to the Watch Commander, Critical Incident Commander, or the on-call Administrative Lieutenant and the Dispatch Center. If feasible, sensitive information should be communicated over secure networks.
(f) Take command of and secure the incident scene with additional personnel until relieved by a detective supervisor or other assigned personnel.
(g) As soon as practical, shooter officers should be transported (separately, if feasible) to the station for further direction. - Each involved officer should be given an administrative order not to discuss the incident with other involved officers pending further direction from a supervisor.
- Officers should remain in their current uniform with the same gear as was present during the shooting until otherwise directed.
- Officers who have fired their weapon(s) shall maintain the weapon(s) in the same condition as they were immediately following the firing of shots.
(a) The cylinder of a revolver, the slide and magazine of a semi-automatic or the chamber of a shotgun shall not be opened, rotated or removed. - When an officer’s weapon is taken or left at the scene (e.g., evidence), the officer will be provided with a comparable replacement weapon or transported to the station by other officers.
- Officers who have fired their weapon(s) shall maintain the weapon(s) in the same condition as they were immediately following the firing of shots.
- Expended cartridge casings, which may have been ejected from the weapon during the shooting shall be left in place. They shall not be picked up or moved until authorized by the investigative team.
- Officers with digital or video recordings of any kind shall maintain possession of these recordings until otherwise directed. Officers shall not alter, destroy, download or share any of these recordings until otherwise directed by a supervisor.
- Any unit within the perimeter of the incident or involved in the incident will remain in place until otherwise directed by a supervisor.
Who must be notified following an OIS?
310.5.3
The following person(s) shall be notified as soon as practical:
• Chief of Police
• Deputy Chief
• Appropriate Division Commander
• Critical Incident Team Commander or on-call Administrative Lieutenant
• Psychological/Peer support personnel
• Coroner (if necessary)
• Officer representative (if requested)
• PIO
All outside inquiries about the incident shall be directed to the Watch Commander and in his/her absence the C.I.T. Commander or on-call Administrative Lieutenant.
