Use of Force - Bexar County Sheriff's Office Manual

Force intended or likely to cause death or serious injury.

Force that is used to protect a third person from immediate harm.

Any device that shoots projectiles using explosive power.

Any physical contact by a deputy using their body or an object, excluding escorting or handcuffing.

Force that is objectively reasonable in the circumstances.

Any weapon approved for use by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.

The highest responsibility of deputies is to protect human life and individual liberties.

This policy outlines the use of force guidelines for deputies.

Force used by law enforcement with the intention to subdue a subject without causing death or serious injury. Examples include pepper spray, tasers, and beanbag guns.

Weapons designed to subdue or incapacitate a subject with a lower risk of causing death or serious injury compared to traditional firearms. Examples include pepper spray, tasers, and beanbag guns.

The minimum amount of force necessary to achieve a legitimate law enforcement objective. This means using only the amount of force required to safely control the situation.

The use of force that a reasonable law enforcement officer would consider necessary under similar circumstances. This means considering factors like the severity of the crime, the subject's threat level, and whether the subject is actively resisting.

The visual presence of authority communicated through a deputy's appearance, uniform, and the marked vehicles used by the agency.

An aircraft that is flown remotely without a human pilot on board. These are commonly known as 'drones.'

A ground vehicle that is operated remotely without a human driver on board. These are commonly known as 'drones.'

A deputy is justified in using force only when they reasonably believe it is necessary to make an arrest, conduct a search, or prevent escape after arrest. The force used must be the minimum necessary under the circumstances.

A law enforcement officer must have a reasonable belief that the arrest or search is lawful, and that the warrant is valid if one is used.

An officer must identify themselves as a peace officer and manifest their purpose to arrest or search, unless it's already clear or impossible to do so.

A verbal warning should be given to the offender before using force, if possible.

Force can be used to preserve peace, prevent crimes, prevent suicide, overcome resistance during lawful arrests and searches, defend oneself or others, and prevent property interference.

A deputy can use force to protect a third party only if there's a reasonable belief that the subject is a threat, and immediate intervention is necessary.

Officers should prioritize de-escalation tactics like verbal persuasion and warnings to avoid unnecessary force.

Officers should use the minimum amount of force necessary to achieve their objective, and de-escalate their use of force when the situation allows.

Officers should exhaust all reasonable means to secure voluntary compliance before resorting to force.

Using force to stop a vehicle may only be used when the occupants of the vehicle are firing at the deputy or others, or if the vehicle is pursuing a trapped deputy. Otherwise, the deputy should find alternative methods to protect themselves and others.

Force can be used to arrest or prevent escape, but only when necessary to protect from death or serious injury. This applies to situations where a deputy is in serious immediate danger.

Force may be used to enter buildings or places where a suspect is hiding, but only when necessary to protect from an immediate threat of death or serious injury. This is a limited use of force.

A deputy may use force if they believe a third party might be injured or killed. The belief must be based on available information at the time.

The carotid neck hold, also known as a carotid neck restraint or chokehold, is considered deadly force by the BCSO. It is prohibited except in situations where lethal force would be justified, and other methods are not available or impractical.

A deputy may use a flashlight or other non-weapon object as a weapon only to defend themself or another from an imminent threat of bodily injury or death. However, depending on the manner of use, it can be considered deadly force.

UAVs/UGVs are prohibited from being equipped with firearms, lethal ammunition, explosive weapons, or devices that are solely designed for and capable of dispensing deadly force.

Mounted patrol horses are not to be used as weapons.

Use of a mounted patrol horse to defend oneself or another from imminent threat of bodily injury or death, only when BCSO-sanctioned methods are unavailable. This use of force, depending on the method, may be considered deadly force.

Force used only when necessary to control or disperse a crowd. This force must adhere to the requirements of the Use of Force policy.

Weapons in a riot situation are deployed only by trained, authorized officers and only under the Sheriff's or designee's command.

Canine teams may assist during a riot as backup but should not be used for riot control. Unless deployed as backup, they must remain in secure locations, out of view.

Mounted Patrol teams may offer command presence during a riot but horses are only used to defend against imminent threats of bodily harm to deputies or civilians.

Bicycles may be used to control and move people as appropriate during a riot.

Impact projectiles (like bean bags) are only fired at specific individuals actively participating in a riot, not indiscriminately into groups. Preferred target areas include the buttocks, thigh, or calf, ONLY when the threat level justifies it.

Impact projectiles can be used to defend against imminent threats of bodily injury or death to a deputy or third person.

These devices are only used when aiming at body center mass and BCSO-sanctioned methods are not available. They can be considered an application of deadly force.

These munitions can only be used to defend against an imminent threat of bodily injury or death, or when the need to use them outweighs the potential risks involved. They are not aimed above the waist.

ECWs may be used for purposes of restraint or arrest of actively resistant individuals only when alternative less forceful means of control are not available or unsuitable. They must be targeted accurately and cannot be fired indiscriminately.

Aerosol restraint spray, such as OC spray, can be used by command against specific individuals who are actively resisting arrest or to defend against an imminent threat. They cannot be used against passively resistant groups or individuals, and a verbal warning should be issued prior to use whenever reasonably possible.

These devices can be used as a defensive weapon, to overcome resistance, to stop, control, or neutralize perceived threatening resistance, as a show of force, or as a means to contain or disperse a civil disturbance.

All use of force in crowd or riot situations must be reported and reviewed in accordance with BCSO policy.

Any deputy who uses force in the Adult Detention Center must adhere to Detention Policy and Procedures BC No: 900.13, Use of Force.

Planned use of force involves a realistic evaluation by the Shift Supervisor or Incident Commander to assess the need for force in a particular situation.