15-09 Conducted Energy Weapons (CEW)

• Covers the use of Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs) by the Ministry of the Solicitor General
• CEWs are approved for tactical units, hostage rescue, perimeter control and front-line supervisors
• Ministry amended guidelines for CEW use in August 2013 and issued revised guidelines in November of that year

Rationale

• CEWs are designed as less-lethal weapons
• CEWs are a legitimate force option within the Ontario Use of Force Model
• CEWs are for controlling assaultive subjects as defined by the Criminal Code
• Includes subjects who present a threat of serious bodily harm or death, like suicide threats

CEW Function

• CEWs deliver a metered and pulsed electrical current upon contact in Full Deployment
• Electrical current results in involuntary muscle contractions and loss of motor control
• Can cause incapacitation, allowing officers to gain control

Supervision and CEW Use

• Supervisory Officer attendance is mandatory for CEW use in Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment
• Supervisory Officer notification is mandatory for CEW use in Demonstrated Force Presence, Drive Stun Mode, or Full Deployment
• Communications Operator notification is mandatory for CEW use in Demonstrated Force Presence, Drive Stun Mode, or Full Deployment

Procedure

• CEWs may be ineffective under certain circumstances
• Circumstances like heavy clothing or only one probe making contact
• Officers must adjust their force options accordingly
• Full Deployment or Drive Stun Mode should be an appropriate force option for “assaultive" subjects per the Use of Force Model
• The CEW shall be avoided on sensitive body areas, children, pregnant women, elderly, or frail individuals
• The CEW shall be avoided unless other force options would likely cause greater injury

Data Recording

• CEW activation records date, time, and duration of the firing in a microchip
• Data is downloaded for analysis and audit
• CEWs have a built-in system to prevent misuse, abuse, and protect officers from allegations

Appropriate CEW Use

• A CEW can be used to prevent officer overpowerment when violently attacked
• A CEW can be used to prevent prisoner escape from police custody or disarm a dangerous armed person
• A CEW can be used to control violent situations when other force options aren't viable
• A CEW can be used for any other lawful and justifiable purpose

Prohibited CEW Use

• CEWs shall not be used on a subject operating a vehicle or bicycle, unless as a last measure to protect life
• CEWs shall not be used on subjects near flammable liquids or in flammable atmospheres, unless as a last measure to protect life
• CEWs shall not be used on subjects in precarious positions or locations where a fall could cause serious injury or death, unless as a last measure to protect life
• CEWs shall not be used on subjects in handcuffs
• CEWs shall not be used for gathering digital evidence, coercion, or punishment

CEW Use Reporting

• Any CEW use requires a Use of Force Report and a TPS 584
• CEW can be used in Demonstrated Force Presence, Drive Stun Mode, Full Deployment or accidental or negligent discharges
• Reports must be completed before the end of duty unless engaged in approved training
• Professional Standards Unit must be notified for incidents involving CEW use on handcuffed persons

Shared Asset Procedure

• A Supervisor will receive the required number of CEWs from the secure CEW storage cabinet
• The Supervisor will personally issue the CEW to an officer and record it's serial number
• Unit parade sheets shall have CEW serial numbers entered
• Receiving officers must record the serial number in their memorandum book and AIMS
• Returning officers must ensure the CEW is unloaded and utilize AIMS to record the return

X2 CEW Procedure

• X2 CEWs shall be carried in the approved holster on the support side, in a cross-draw fashion
• A Function Test should be conducted at the beginning of each tour of duty
• The CEW should be pointed into a firearm proving unit, and the spark test should be recorded

Tactical Power Performance Magazine

• Tactical Power Performance Magazines (TPPM) shall be charged to at least twenty percent capacity
• A TPS 594 shall be submitted to the Unit Commander through the Officer in Charge when issued a CEW
• A TPS 594 shall be submitted for subsequent changes in storage location of the CEW

Taser 7 Model Procedure

• Taser 7 Model CEWs shall be carried in the approved holster with cartridge holster in cross-draw fashion
• Duo pack close quarter cartridges (CQ) will be loaded as primary load for daily duties
• Duo pack standoff cartridges (SO) can be secured in the cartridge holster til needed
• Upon incident conclusion, officers will reload CQ cartridges and return SO cartridges to the pouch
• Function tests shall be conducted on each tour of duty by pointing the CEW into a firearm proving unit

CAUTION

• If the trigger is depressed on a loaded Taser 7, the weapon will immediately exit Function Test Mode and deploy a cartridge
• Extended battery packs (EBP) should be charged to a minimum of 20% capacity
• Officer provides TPS 594 to the Unit Commander through the Officer in Charge
• The Unit Commander must be notified if a change in storage location occurs

Storage Guidelines

• Personally issued CEWs shall be stored with safety switch on, cartridges removed, in assigned firearm storage locker
• CEWs can also be stored at the officer's residence while off duty, in compliance with the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations (SOR/98-209)
• CEWs transported to principal residence must be directly transported
• CEWs at principal residence must be stored with safety switch on and unloaded
• CEWs must be stored in a securely locked container or room, rendered inoperable or in a safe specifically constructed for firearms, and don't need to be rendered inoperable

Storage Restrictions

• The Service will not provide a CEW storage container for officers who elect to store a CEW at other than a Service facility

CEW Cycling

• When a CEW is cycled (excluding Function Testing) ensure, if possible, that one or more additional officers are present during the CEW
• The incident particulars must be recorded in the memorandum book

Demonstrated Force Presence Procedures

• When the CEW is used as a Demonstrated Force Presence, this must be done
• The next level supervisor shall be notified at the first available opportunity
• Verify the Toronto Paramedic Services isn't required, and that the communications dispatcher confirms a "Display Only" was used
• A Use of Force Report and TPS 584 must be submitted to the Officer in Charge before tour completion
• Place the EBP in the docking station for automatic data transfer

Drive Stun or Full Deployment Procedures

• When the CEW is used in Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment, this must be done
• Announce the CEW is present on scene, if practical
• Verbally caution the subject before use, if practical
• Make an announcement of "Taser, Taser, Taser" before deploying the CEW, if appropriate.
• Immediately secure the subject, "handcuff under power" if safe to do so, and advise the subject they have received a CEW and the effects are short term
• Notify the communications dispatcher the CEW was used in Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment
• Avoid Drive Stun or Full Deployment near sensitive areas, like the head, eyes, neck, trachea, groin, genitals, and any visible pre-existing injuries if possible

Medical Procedures

• Request Paramedic attendance and monitor the subject until they arrive for medical assistance
• Restrain the subject in a sitting position unless it's impossible, allow only paramedics to remove probes, and don't puncture skin
• Service personnel are authorized to remove probes attached only to clothing
• Notify next level supervisor and complete required reports and forms
• Place the extended battery pack (EBP) in the docking station for data download

Injuries and Reporting

• Complete and submit a TPS 105 when injuries result and attach to the TPS 584
• Injuries include probe or burn marks

Accidental or Negligent CEW Discharge

• When an accidental or negligent discharge occurs notify a supervisor
• Complete a Use of Force Report and TPS 584 and ensure the EBP is placed in the docking station
• Complete and attach a TPS 105 if injuries occur

Post CEW Deployment Procedures

• When a CEW Full Deployment or an accidental discharge occurs separate the cartridge from the probes by breaking the wires
• Fired probes go into a sharps-container from the Bio-Hazard Kit
• Probes that have penetrated a body should be considered a biohazard

Cartridge Disposal and Documentation

• Package the expended cartridge in a plastic property bag
• Document the specifics on a TPS 649, including what cartridge was deployed

Supervisor Role

• When notified of CEW use in Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment the Supervisor will attend the scene and provide immediate medical attention, if required
• Officer in charge - The Communications Operational Supervisor must be Notified with,
  • Event #
  • What type of deployment
  • Subject officer's badge #
  • Description of injuries
• If a CEW is used in another division, the Officer in Charge of the division must receive notification

Report Submittal

• Ensure the Use of Force Report and the TPS forms are properly completed and submitted to the Officer in Charge
• The extended battery pack (EBP) is put in a docking station

Officer Responsibilities

• Complete all portions of the Use of Force Report

Officer in Charge Responsibilities

• The officer in charge will ensure a description of events is detailed in the UCMR and all relevant reports are properly completed
• If the discharge is accidental or negligent, submit a TPS 901 prior to tour completion
• For Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment arrange for CEW transport to the Toronto Police College for download unless on a taser x2 model
• They will need to ensure all the paperwork is correctly completed, including for download

Unit Commander Responsibilities

• They must ensure their AIMS is updated, storage elections are performed and proper inspections are in process
• Review 105s, 584's and other paperwork for accuracy and forward for analysis and training as required
• Review any 901 forms submitted and take action as needed

Definitions

• Demonstrated Force Presence (DFP): Weapon is unholstered and displayed to achieve behavioral compliance
• Drive Stun Mode (DSM): The device is placed against the subject and current is applied without probes
• Full Deployment (FD): Probes are fired and the electrical pulse is applied causing incapacitation
• Sensitive Areas: Parts of the body susceptible to heightened injury including the head, eyes, neck, trachea, groin, genitals and any pre-existing visible injuries