Escambia County Sheriff's Office Use of Force Policy 7/16/2024

General Order: Use of Force

• The purpose of this General Order is to provide guidelines and procedures for the use of force by deputies and to ensure an administrative review of critical incidents involving ECSO members.

Policy

• The policy is to value and preserve human life, and deputies shall use only the force that is objectively reasonable to conduct their lawful duties and to protect the safety of the deputy and others.
• The decision to use force requires careful attention to the facts and circumstances of each particular case, including the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat, and whether they are actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight.
• The "reasonableness" of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable deputy on the scene, rather than with hindsight.

General Guidelines

• Physical force should be discontinued when resistance ceases or the incident is under control.
• Physical force should not be used against individuals in restraints, except to prevent escape or immediate bodily injury.
• Deputies shall provide appropriate medical care to individuals who have visible injuries or request medical attention after a use of force incident.
• Deputies have a duty to intervene to prevent or stop the use of excessive force by another deputy when it is safe and reasonable to do so.

De-escalation

• Deputies shall use de-escalation techniques and other alternatives to higher levels of force consistent with their training whenever appropriate before resorting to force.
• Deputies shall allow an individual time and opportunity to submit to verbal commands before force is used, whenever possible and safe.

Use of Less-Lethal Force

• Deputies may use less-lethal force to control a non-compliant or actively resistant individual, including to protect themselves or others, restrain or subdue an individual, or bring an unlawful situation under control.

Use of Deadly Force

• Deputies are authorized to use deadly force when it is objectively reasonable under the totality of the circumstances, including to protect themselves or others from an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury.
• Deadly force should not be used against persons whose actions are a threat only to themselves or property, and warning shots are not permitted.
• Firearms should not be discharged, even if deadly force is justified, when there is an unreasonable risk to the safety of others.

Procedure when Use of Deadly Force Results in Death or Serious Bodily Injury

• The involved deputy shall immediately notify their supervisor and request medical assistance.
• The supervisor will notify Command Staff and Crime Scene will be notified and requested to respond.
• The involved deputy will be removed from duty and placed on administrative leave, and a fitness for duty evaluation will be required prior to return to duty.

Reporting

• Deputies shall submit an offense report when discharging a firearm, taking action that results in or is alleged to have resulted in injury or death of another person, or applying force through the use of lethal or less-lethal weapons.
• Deputies involved in a use of force incident exceeding soft empty hand control or resulting in injury shall immediately notify their supervisor.

Administrative Assignment

• Deputies placed on administrative assignment or leave pending review of death or serious bodily injury will complete a fitness for duty evaluation prior to approval for return to duty.

On-Duty Supervisor Responsibilities

• The supervisor will ensure the prompt security and integrity of the scene, and provide support to the involved deputies.
• The supervisor will complete an "unusual" email providing a summary of the incident and the offense number.

Chief Deputy Responsibilities

• The Chief Deputy will designate an individual or committee to conduct an annual administrative review and analysis of incidents involving the discharge of a firearm, actions resulting in death or serious bodily injury, and use of force through lethal or less-lethal weapons.

Training

• All deputies shall receive training at least annually on the agency's use of force policy and related legal updates.
• Training shall be provided on a regular and periodic basis to instruct on objectively reasonable use of force, de-escalation techniques, and the proper use of restraints, weapons, and other equipment.

General Order: Use of Force

• The purpose of this General Order is to provide guidelines and procedures for the use of force by deputies and to ensure an administrative review of critical incidents involving ECSO members.

Policy

• The policy is to value and preserve human life, and deputies shall use only the force that is objectively reasonable to conduct their lawful duties and to protect the safety of the deputy and others.
• The decision to use force requires careful attention to the facts and circumstances of each particular case, including the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat, and whether they are actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight.
• The "reasonableness" of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable deputy on the scene, rather than with hindsight.

General Guidelines

• Physical force should be discontinued when resistance ceases or the incident is under control.
• Physical force should not be used against individuals in restraints, except to prevent escape or immediate bodily injury.
• Deputies shall provide appropriate medical care to individuals who have visible injuries or request medical attention after a use of force incident.
• Deputies have a duty to intervene to prevent or stop the use of excessive force by another deputy when it is safe and reasonable to do so.

De-escalation

• Deputies shall use de-escalation techniques and other alternatives to higher levels of force consistent with their training whenever appropriate before resorting to force.
• Deputies shall allow an individual time and opportunity to submit to verbal commands before force is used, whenever possible and safe.

Use of Less-Lethal Force

• Deputies may use less-lethal force to control a non-compliant or actively resistant individual, including to protect themselves or others, restrain or subdue an individual, or bring an unlawful situation under control.

Use of Deadly Force

• Deputies are authorized to use deadly force when it is objectively reasonable under the totality of the circumstances, including to protect themselves or others from an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury.
• Deadly force should not be used against persons whose actions are a threat only to themselves or property, and warning shots are not permitted.
• Firearms should not be discharged, even if deadly force is justified, when there is an unreasonable risk to the safety of others.

Procedure when Use of Deadly Force Results in Death or Serious Bodily Injury

• The involved deputy shall immediately notify their supervisor and request medical assistance.
• The supervisor will notify Command Staff and Crime Scene will be notified and requested to respond.
• The involved deputy will be removed from duty and placed on administrative leave, and a fitness for duty evaluation will be required prior to return to duty.

Reporting

• Deputies shall submit an offense report when discharging a firearm, taking action that results in or is alleged to have resulted in injury or death of another person, or applying force through the use of lethal or less-lethal weapons.
• Deputies involved in a use of force incident exceeding soft empty hand control or resulting in injury shall immediately notify their supervisor.

Administrative Assignment

• Deputies placed on administrative assignment or leave pending review of death or serious bodily injury will complete a fitness for duty evaluation prior to approval for return to duty.

On-Duty Supervisor Responsibilities

• The supervisor will ensure the prompt security and integrity of the scene, and provide support to the involved deputies.
• The supervisor will complete an "unusual" email providing a summary of the incident and the offense number.

Chief Deputy Responsibilities

• The Chief Deputy will designate an individual or committee to conduct an annual administrative review and analysis of incidents involving the discharge of a firearm, actions resulting in death or serious bodily injury, and use of force through lethal or less-lethal weapons.

Training

• All deputies shall receive training at least annually on the agency's use of force policy and related legal updates.
• Training shall be provided on a regular and periodic basis to instruct on objectively reasonable use of force, de-escalation techniques, and the proper use of restraints, weapons, and other equipment.

This quiz covers the guidelines and procedures for the use of force by deputies in the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. It ensures an administrative review of critical incidents and values human life.