21-01 Response to Resistance Policy

Study Notes

The policy recognizes the value of human life and requires a careful balancing of all human interests when using force to protect the public welfare and for apprehension and control of subjects.
Force must be used only to the extent objectively reasonable to accomplish lawful outcomes.
When a subject is fully physically compliant and in law enforcement's control, the force must terminate.

Agitated/Excited Delirium: a state of extreme mental and physiological excitement, characterized by extreme agitation, hyperthermia, and other signs or symptoms.
Air Cartridge: a replaceable cartridge that uses compressed gases to fire probes on connecting wires sending a high voltage/low current signal into a subject.
Choke Hold: a maneuver that deprives the lungs of oxygen by applying direct pressure to the front of the subject's trachea or larynx.
Conducted Electrical Weapon (CEW): a weapon that disrupts a subject's central nervous system by means of deploying electrical energy.
Deadly Force: any use of force that is likely to cause death or serious physical injury.
De-escalation: proactive actions and approaches used to stabilize a situation, disengage, and promote thoughtful resolutions.

Members will clearly articulate the factor(s) that prompted the force they chose to accomplish a lawful outcome.
The Duty Commander will respond to any incident where use of force results in serious physical injury or death.
A supervisor and a commander will respond to the scene when a CEW is activated or deadly force is used.
Members are not to use choke holds or strike anyone in the head with a weapon, except in situations where its use is objectively reasonable to prevent death or serious physical injury.
Once a subject is under control and handcuffed, members will place the subject on their side or in a seated position while awaiting transportation to a detention facility.

Members will evaluate the situation to determine which available non-deadly force technique or issued equipment should be used to control the situation without compromising their safety or the safety of others.
Members may use Department-approved or objectively reasonable non-deadly force techniques and issued equipment to effect an arrest, restrain or subdue an actively resistant individual, and protect themselves and others from physical injury.
When safe and reasonable to do so, members should give subjects warning that less than lethal equipment will be used if the subject fails to comply.

Members are authorized to use any deadly force in order to protect themselves or others from what they reasonably believe is an immediate threat of death or serious physical harm.

Members will provide immediate medical attention to subjects who appear to be exhibiting signs of agitated/excited delirium.
When a member uses a CEW, the member will not attempt to remove a probe if it is imbedded in soft tissue, and will request a field supervisor to respond to the scene.

The online Response to Resistance will be completed for each incident described.
The on-line Response to Resistance will be accessed from the intranet.
The member's on-scene supervisor will complete the on-line Response to Resistance without a narrative, when a member discharges a firearm at a person, involving death, injury, or no injury.