Pasco Sheriff's Office Use of Force Guidelines

The use of force must be limited to situations involving resisting arrest, defense against physical assault, or force necessary to perform official duties.

The amount of force used must be objectively reasonable, considering the circumstances and threat level.

Members are required to use only the necessary amount of force to complete their official duties. Force should be used as a last resort.

Members may use physical force in specific situations, such as self-defense, protecting others, overcoming resistance during arrests, or preventing escapes.

Law enforcement officers are not required to retreat when faced with resistance or threats while making a lawful arrest.

This order applies to all Pasco Sheriff's Office members who are authorized to use force in their official capacity.

This order establishes guidelines and reporting requirements for the use of force by Pasco Sheriff's Office members.

The Pasco Sheriff's Office policy aims to ensure that force is not used indiscriminately and only when justified. Objective reasonableness is the guiding principle.

The subject refuses to follow the member's orders to disperse peacefully from a public event.

The subject uses movements to avoid the member's control, like bracing or pulling away from a grip.

The subject uses physical attacks that could cause injury but are unlikely to be deadly or cause serious harm.

The subject uses violence that poses a realistic threat of death or serious injury to the member or others.

The officer's presence and verbal communication can often prevent the need for physical force.

Force used by a member to control a subject, including physical tactics, non-lethal tools, and deadly force.

Non-lethal weapons used to control the subject, like pepper spray or tasers.

Force used by a member with the intention to cause immediate death or serious injury to the subject.

Law enforcement officers must complete a state-certified program or participate in a formal field training program under a Temporary Employment Authorization (TEA).

Officers must demonstrate annual proficiency in using firearms through agency assessments conducted by a designated instructor.

Officers need training on arrest procedures, use of force guidelines, and first aid techniques.

Only agency-approved weapons, firearms, and ammunition are permitted, except in emergencies where any available object can be used as a substitute.

Certified officers must carry a firearm while on or off duty, subject to state restrictions.

The agency maintains written specifications for all authorized firearms and ammunition. A qualified designee must review, inspect, and approve weapons before issuance or use.

The Training Section provides initial and remedial training for all members before issuing firearms. Annual training on use of force, defensive tactics, and proficiency with approved firearm platforms is mandatory.

All firearms training is monitored by an FDLE-certified instructor, while less-lethal weapons and munitions training is monitored by a certified less-lethal or specialty impact munitions instructor.

When force is used to put a defendant in custody and more force is needed during transport, all incidents are documented in the same report, as long as there's no break in custody.

A member who uses non-deadly force, or threatens to use force, must immediately report it to a supervisor, provide medical attention if needed, document the incident, and photograph any injuries.

A supervisor reviewing a use of force incident must assess all related documents, notify investigators if needed, create a full Use of Force packet, and forward it to the division commander.

Force that is intended to incapacitate a violent person, but with minimal risk of death or serious injury. Examples include using non-lethal weapons like beanbag rounds.

A physical maneuver that restricts breathing to incapacitate someone. Prohibited unless deadly force conditions are met.

A technique that restricts blood flow to the brain to incapacitate someone. Prohibited unless deadly force conditions are met.

A specific type of less lethal munition used to temporarily incapacitate a person. Must be approved by the Training Section.

The use of force must be justified by a clear and reasonable belief that an officer, a fellow officer, or another person is facing immediate danger of death or serious injury.

Actions taken by officers before deploying less lethal munitions which include providing a verbal warning and notifying the bureau commander.

A formal document that records the circumstances and details of a use-of-force incident, including the deployment of less-lethal impact munitions.

A reasonable perception of imminent danger to an officer or another person, based on the subject's actions, words, or other indicators.

A member (officer) has a reasonable belief that a subject of an ex parte Baker Act order is on certain premises and may use reasonable force to enter and take custody of the individual.

A use of force report is required even if one member of the law enforcement uses force multiple times against the same subject during the same incident.

Separate use of force reports must be generated when multiple individuals are involved in a use of force incident and force is used against each of them. For example, pointing a firearm at each individual during a felony traffic stop requires a separate Use of Force report for each.

A felony stop involving multiple subjects requires a separate Use of Force report for each subject against whom force was used.