ELEC CONT WEAP 1.5
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
TITLE: ELECTRONIC CONTROL WEAPONS (ECW’s)
GENERAL ORDER: 1.5
EFFECTIVE: January 1, 2009
REVISES: New
PAGES: 6
CONTENTS:
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
I. AUTHORIZED USERS
II. WEAPON REDINESS
III. MAINTENANCE AND PRE-OPERATION
IV. DEPLOYMENT
V. MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS
VI. AFTERCARE
VII. REPORTING
VIII. GLOSSARY
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to provide officers with guidance and direction on
the use of electronic control weapons.
SCOPE:
This order applies to all Police Department members.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department recognizes that combative, non-combative, armed
and/or violent subjects cause handling and control problems that require special training and
equipment. Thus, the department has adapted the less-lethal force philosophy to assist with
the de-escalation of these potentially violent confrontations.
POLICY:
It is the policy of this agency to use only that level of force that is reasonably
necessary to control or otherwise subdue violent or potentially violent individuals. Electronic
control weapons may be used by authorized and trained personnel in accordance with agency
policies relating to the use of deadly and non-deadly force and additional guidelines
established herein. All members will act in good faith in the exercise of the use of force, and
conform to the provisions of Florida Statutes and this general order.
PROCEDURE:
I. AUTHORIZED USERS:
Only officers who have satisfactorily completed this agency’s
approved training course shall be authorized to carry ECW’s. Officers will be required to
complete an annual refresher course, taught by department instructor certified by the
manufacturers. Only issued ECW’s and their associated equipment are authorized to be
carried by department members.
II. WEAPON READINESS:
A.
The device will be carried in an approved holster on the support side of the body.
Officers not assigned to uniformed patrol may utilize other department approved holsters
and/or carry the weapon consistent with department training guidelines.
B.
The device shall be carried fully armed with the safety on in preparation for immediate
use when authorized.
C.
Officers authorized to use the device shall be issued a minimum of one spare cartridge
as a back-up in case of cartridge failure, the need for re-deployment, or in case the first
cartridge’s leads break during engagement. The spare cartridges shall be stored and carried
in a manner consistent with training and the cartridges replaced consistent with the
manufacturer’s expiration requirements.
D.
Only agency approved battery power sources shall be used in the ECW.
III. MAINTENANCE AND PRE-OPERTION:
A.
Officers must ensure that the batteries are fully operational and properly installed. Low
battery power will cause weapon failure.
1.with the cartridge removed and the weapon pointed
Officers will test fire the ECW
in a safe direction,
prior to every shift.
2.
Supervisors will ensure that the officers test fire will be conducted in a safe manner by
giving the following instructions:
a.
Advise the officer to stand and face in a safe direction.
b.remove the cartridge.
Take the ECW out from its holster and
c.
Point the ECW in a safe direction and test fire it. Officers that determine that their
device fails the “Spark Test” shall immediately remove the device from service,
forward the unit to the Support Services Commander for repairs and/or a replacement
ECW.
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G.O. 1.5
d.
Upon completion of the test fire the officer will be instructed to re-insert the
cartridge and holster and secure the weapon completing the test fire process. Officers
may not test fire the ECW a second time during the shift without a supervisor approval.
IV: DEPLOYMENT:
A.
The ECW is considered to be a less lethal force option, which in the cartridge
deployment mode is an intermediate weapon and in contact mode is a pain compliance
device. The device is prohibited from being used, absent exigent circumstances:
1.
In a punitive or coercive manner.
2.
On a handcuffed/secured prisoner in cartridge deployment mode.
3.
On any passively resistant subject.
4.
In any environment where an officer knows that a potentially flammable, volatile, or
explosive material is present (including but not limited to OC spray with volatile
propellant, gasoline, natural gas, or propane).
5.
In any environment where the subject’s fall could reasonably result in death (such as in
a swimming pool or on an elevated structure whose fall could likely cause serious bodily
injury or death).
6.
Against a known or apparent pregnant female.
7.
On young children (those that appear to be under the age of 12), elderly persons, or
visibly frail persons.
8.
On persons operating a motor vehicle, motorcycle, ATV, scooter or similar
conveyance while the vehicle is in motion.
9.
When the subject is holding a firearm.
10.
As an interrogation technique.
11.
To awaken an unconscious or intoxicated individual.
12.
On a person who flees an officer in order to avoid detention or arrest.
B.
In preparation for firing, the ECW shall be pointed in a safe direction, taken off safe,
and then aimed. The preferred aiming point, whenever reasonably possible, is the center
mass of the subject’s back since there is less possibility of the darts coming into contact
with sensitive or vital body areas such as the eyes or groin. A suitable alternative and more
reasonable aiming point is center body mass of the subject’s lower chest or legs.
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1.
Where feasible, use verbal commands when pointing the ECW at the subject prior
to firing.
C.
Upon firing the device, the officer shall energize the subject the least number of times
and no longer than necessary to accomplish the legitimate operational objective. The
subject shall be secured as soon as practical while disabled by ECW power to minimize the
number of deployment cycles.
D.
The device may also be used in certain circumstances in a “touch stun” mode. This
involves removing the cartridge and pressing the unit against an appropriate area of the
body based on training. It is important to note that when the device is used in this manner it
is:
1.
Primarily a pain compliance tool due to a lack of probe spread.
2.
Minimally effective when compared to conventional cartridge type deployments.
3.
More likely to leave marks on the subject’s skin.
4.
Subject to the same deployment (use) guidelines and restrictions as that of the ECW in
cartridge deployments.
E.
The ECW shall be pointed at the ground in a safe direction with the safety on during
loading, unloading, or when handled in other than operational deployment.
F.
No individual officer shall simultaneously draw and hold an ECW and any firearm.
G.
The ECW may be used to incapacitate a subject when that person is either attempting to
injure himself or commit suicide.
H.
The ECW should not be used in a situation where deadly force is clearly justifiable
unless another officer is present and capable of providing the deadly force option to protect
the officers and/or civilians as necessary.
V. MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
A.
Officers should be cautious of subjects exhibiting unusual behavior during contact as a
medical emergency may exist. In cases where “Excited Delirium” is suspected, an
ambulance will be immediately requested to the scene. Once in custody, the subject will
be evaluated by emergency medical personnel and transported to a medical facility for
treatment, if required, prior to booking or transfer to a mental health facility.
1.
Signs and symptoms of “Excited Delirium” may include but are not limited to the
following:
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G.O. 1.5
a.
Unbelievable strength
b.
Imperviousness to pain
c.
Ability to offer effective resistance against multiple officers over an extended period of
time
d.
Hyperthermia (temperatures can spike to between 105-113 degrees F)
e.
Sweating
f.
Shedding clothes or nudity
g.
Bizarre and violent behavior
h.
Aggression
i.
Hyperactivity
j.
Extreme paranoia
k.
Incoherent shouting or nonsensical speech
l.
Hallucinations
m.
Attraction to glass (smashing glass is common)
n.
Confusion or disorientation
o.
Grunting or animal-like sounds while struggling with others
p.
Foaming at the mouth
q.
Drooling
r.
Dilated pupils
VI. AFTERCARE:
A.
The ECW darts shall be removed from the subject, after being restrained, by an EMT,
physician, or other emergency medical practitioner. Ensure that the ECW has been
disarmed prior to dart removal to avoid accidental discharge during the removal process.
B.
Medical evaluation and clearance shall follow dart removal.
C.
Photographs of the affected area shall be taken after the darts are removed.
D.
When the device has been used operationally, the officer will collect the cartridge, wire
leads, and darts as evidence.
VII. REPORTING:
A.
The deploying officer shall notify his/her supervisor as soon as practical after using the
ECW and complete the appropriate “Incident” and “Use of Control” reports.
B.
The photograph(s) of the contact location(s) are to be placed into evidence along with
the used device cartridge, wire leads, and darts.
1.
The darts that penetrate a subject’s skin will be placed in an appropriate sharps
container, which will then be placed into an evidence bag and marked with Bio-Hazard
decals.
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C.
The device automatically captures pertinent information that includes the date, time,
battery voltage, officer name, and number of firings and cycles used at the time of
deployment. As soon as possible the ECW must be delivered to the Operations Commander
for downloading of the captured data.
VIII. GLOSSARY:
ELECTRONIC CONTROL WEAPON (ECW): - Weapons designed to disrupt a subject’s
central nervous system by means of deploying battery powered electrical energy sufficient to
cause uncontrolled muscle contractions and override an individual’s voluntary motor
responses.
TAGS: - Confetti-like pieces of paper that are expelled from the cartridge when fired. Each
“Tag” contains an alpha-numeric identifier unique to the specific cartridge used.
INDEXING:
ELECTRONIC CONTROL WEAPON (ECW)
STUN GUN
DRAFTED
: DJR/November 2008/Filed: Electronic Control Weapons
APPROVED:
Pete Pitocchelli, Chief DATE: November 05, 2011
Tequesta, Florida
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