Less Lethal Shotguns: Procedures and Rationale

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Questions and Answers

Who is authorized to operate a less lethal shotgun according to the policy?

  • All supervisors.
  • Any police officer.
  • Only police officers qualified by the Toronto Police College (TPC) - Armament Section. (correct)
  • Any officer with firearms training.

Impact munitions from a less lethal shotgun operate on the principle of causing serious bodily harm.

False (B)

Which of the following notifications is NOT mandatory when a less lethal shotgun is discharged?

  • Notification of a close relative of the officer involved. (correct)
  • Officer in Charge notification when equipment is missing.
  • Supervisory Officer notification.
  • Firearm Discharge Investigator (FDI) notification.

In case of an accidental discharge, the officer will be deemed unqualified until _________ is completed.

<p>remedial training</p>
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Under which circumstance is it generally inappropriate to use a less lethal shotgun?

<p>Against subjects dressed in heavy clothing. (A)</p>
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Less lethal shotguns should be used on pregnant women if other force options would cause greater injury.

<p>True (A)</p>
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Why are less lethal shotguns required to have clearly identifiable features such as orange stocks?

<p>To distinguish them from conventional shotguns. (B)</p>
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Match each location with the correct storage practice for less lethal shotguns and ammunition:

<p>Unit = Stored in a designated storage container. Vehicle = Transported in a designated orange bag. Orange Bag = Contains only ten (10) Defence Technology Marking 'Sock Round' ammunition.</p>
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When administratively loading a less lethal shotgun, how many 'Sock Rounds' should be placed in the tubular magazine?

<p>4 (A)</p>
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When transporting a less lethal shotgun, officers should not _________ any rounds.

<p>chamber</p>
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If a round is chambered accidentally, the officer should unload the weapon in any location for convenience.

<p>False (B)</p>
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What immediate action must be taken if deficiencies are discovered with the less lethal shotgun equipment?

<p>Report the deficiencies to the Officer in Charge immediately. (B)</p>
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When assigned to a vehicle with an electric mount for a less lethal shotgun, what must be activated?

<p>The 'master electric switch'. (C)</p>
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Besides preventing being overpowered and preventing prisoner escape, what is another situation in which a less lethal shotgun may be used?

<p>To disarm an apparently dangerous person armed with an offensive weapon.</p>
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After discharging a less lethal shotgun, medical attention is only required if the subject appears injured.

<p>False (B)</p>
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Who should an officer immediately notify after discharging a less lethal shotgun?

<p>Their supervisory officer. (D)</p>
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What should an officer announce over the radio, when practicable, before discharging a less lethal shotgun?

<p>&quot;Sock Round&quot;</p>
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The SIU is required to investigate any discharge of a firearm, regardless of whether serious injury or death occurred, when a _________ round is made with a person.

<p>&quot;sock&quot;</p>
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What is the term for an unintentional discharge of a less lethal shotgun by a police officer that is the result of undue care and attention to the prescribed safe handling procedures?

<p>Negligent Discharge (A)</p>
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Administrative Load refers to loading a shotgun without any ammunition.

<p>False (B)</p>
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Flashcards

Less Lethal Shotgun

An intermediate range impact weapon for resolving violent situations with less potential for serious harm than other force options.

Impact Munitions

Pain compliance or incapacitation is the goal, enabling control of the subject.

Supervisory Officer Role

Ensures proper handling and accountability when the shotgun is used.

Authorized Users

Only TPC-Armament Section qualified officers can use less lethal shotguns.

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Appropriate Use

Use of this weapon is authorized to prevent violent attacks or custody breaches.

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Identifying Marks

Orange stocks and fore ends clearly identify less lethal shotguns.

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Shotgun Storage

Less lethal shotguns must be stored separately in a designated container.

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Transportation Protocol

Less lethal shotguns are transported in a distinct orange bag.

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Assignment Restriction

Officers can't be assigned both types simultaneously.

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Loading Protocol

Requires administrative loading with specific 'Sock Round' ammunition.

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Electric Mount Activation

Activation is needed for security.

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Radio Protocol

Advise communications operator via radio 'Sock Round on Scene'.

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Medical Attention Protocol

Immediately seek medical attention, if required.

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Scene Actions

Ensure injuries are attended to first.

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Notification Protocol

Report it immediately to supervisors.

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Accidental Discharge

An unintentional discharge not due to carelessness.

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Administrative Load

Loading a gun safely for operational readiness.

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Negligent Discharge

The result of carelessness

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Study Notes

  • Notes on Less Lethal Shotguns

Rationale

  • Only Toronto Police College (TPC) - Armament Section qualified officers can operate the less lethal shotgun
  • The less lethal shotgun is an intermediate extended range impact weapon
  • It resolves violent situations at a greater distance, reducing potential for serious harm or death compared to other force options
  • Impact munitions cause pain compliance or incapacitation to establish control

Supervision

  • Mandatory notifications when a less lethal shotgun is discharged:
    • Supervisory Officer attendance
    • Supervisory Officer notification
    • Officer in Charge notification for missing, damaged, or malfunctioning equipment
    • Officer in Charge of Division of occurrence notification
    • Duty Senior Officer notification
    • Toronto Police Operations Centre (TPOC) notification
    • Firearm Discharge Investigator (FDI) notification

Procedure

  • Only TPC-Armament Section qualified officers can use less lethal shotguns
  • After accidental or negligent discharge, officer is unqualified until remedial training and requalification

Use of a Less Lethal Shotgun

  • Police officers use less lethal shotguns as a force option:
    • To prevent being overpowered when attacked
    • To prevent prisoner escape
    • To disarm dangerous armed person
    • To control potentially violent situations when other options aren't viable
    • For lawful and justifiable purposes
  • It aids gaining control of assaultive subjects and is a viable option against subjects posing threat, including suicide threats
  • May be ineffective on heavily clothed or shielded subjects, requiring adapting force options
  • Should not be used on children, pregnant women, or the elderly, unless other options pose greater injury risk

Safeguards

  • Prevents confusion with conventional shotguns:
    • Less lethal shotguns are identifiable by orange stocks and fore ends
    • Less lethal shotguns and ammunition are stored in designated container at the unit
    • No other shotgun ammunition can be stored in the less lethal shotgun storage container
    • Less lethal shotguns transported in orange bags
    • Conventional ammunition cannot be carried in the designated orange bags
    • Conventional shotguns shall not be transported in the orange bags designated for less lethal shotguns
    • Officers are not simultaneously assigned less lethal and conventional shotgun
    • Two-officer cars shall not be assigned both a lethal and less-lethal shotgun
  • Not loaded, unloaded, or proven safe inside a service facility

Police Officer Responsibilities

  • When assigned a less lethal shotgun:
    • Be qualified by the Armament Section
    • Take custody of the shotgun and orange bag
    • Prove the shotgun safe and perform a function check
    • Load the shotgun with four (4) "Sock Round" in tubular magazine and 6 in side saddle
    • Ensure the bag contains ten (10) "Sock Round" ammunition
    • Not be assigned a conventional shotgun simultaneously
    • Not carry or load other shotgun ammunition in the shotgun
    • Not chamber rounds during transport
    • Unload and reload in safe area if round is chambered
    • Transport in accordance with training
    • Report deficiencies immediately
    • Return shotgun to unit and store in designated container

Police Vehicle Storage

  • Without electric mount:
    • Store the shotgun in orange bag/trunk mount
    • Store bag in locked trunk
  • With electric mount:
    • Activate "master electric switch"
    • Ensure indicator light is displayed
    • Press designated button on dashboard
    • Test the manual key override feature
    • Secure shotgun within mount
    • Secure orange bag in trunk
    • Turn off "master electric switch" and ignition when unattended

Dual Assignment

  • When assigned both less lethal shotgun and C-8 rifle:
    • Be assigned to a vehicle with electric mount
    • Mount C-8 rifle in car mount
    • Store the shotgun in the trunk

On Scene Use

  • Less lethal shotgun may be used as a force option:
    • To prevent being overpowered when attacked
    • To prevent prisoner escape
    • To disarm dangerous armed person
    • To control potentially violent situations when other options aren't viable
    • For any lawful and justifiable purpose
  • When practicable:
    • Advise communications via radio "Sock Round on Scene"
    • Announce "Sock Round" prior to discharging

Post-Discharge

  • After discharging a less lethal shotgun:
    • Seek medical attention, if required
    • Notify supervisory officer
    • Notify Officer in Charge of the division
    • Notify Communications Services
  • When no contact is made with a person:
    • The SIU is still required to investigate
    • Collect the "sock" round(s) and casing(s), if no longer required
    • Document on a TPS 649 and submit to the Armament Section
  • When contact is made with a person:
    • The SIU is still required to investigate
    • Collect and preserve the "sock" round(s) and casing(s) for 90 days
    • Document on a TPS 649 and submit to the Armament Section

Supervisor Responsibilities

  • When less lethal shotgun is issued, shared, or returned by officer:
    • Ensure officers assigned to a less lethal shotgun are not simultaneously assigned a conventional shotgun
    • Make entries on Time and Resource Management System (TRMS) or Asset Inventory Management System (AIMS)
    • Monitor TRMS for temporary equipment issued
    • Advise the Officer in Charge of missing, damaged, or malfunctioning equipment
  • When notified of discharge incident:
    • Attend the scene immediately
    • Ensure immediate medical attention, if required
    • Notify the Officer in Charge
    • Notify Officer in Charge - Toronto Police Operations Centre (TРОС)

Officer in Charge Responsibilities

  • When assigning officer with a less lethal shotgun to patrol duties:
    • Ensure officer is qualified
    • Ensure officer is not simultaneously assigned conventional shotgun
    • Assign two qualified officers to a less lethal vehicle, where feasible
    • Notify Communications Services of vehicle call sign
    • Ensure the manual override mount key is included
    • Ensure two sets of vehicle keys are available
  • Assigning both a less lethal shotgun and a C-8 rifle is restricted to marked police vehicles with electric mounts

Officer in Charge - Toronto Police Operations Centre

  • When notified of a less lethal shotgun discharge shall:
    • Immediately notify the Duty Senior Officer
    • Immediately notify the on-call FDI

Definitions

  • Accidental Discharge: Unintentional discharge not due to undue care in handling procedures
  • Administrative Load: Safe loading procedure
  • Less Lethal Shotgun: Designated shotgun using less lethal impact munitions, braced against shoulder
  • Negligent Discharge: Discharge due to lack of care & attention to the prescribed safe handling procedures

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