Volume 3; Chapter 10

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3-10/000.00 PREAMBLE TO THE USE OF FORCE POLICY
As leaders on the Sheriff’s Department, all members shall view their duties in the context of

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safety for themselves and others
with an emphasis on:
respect,
professionalism,
reverence for human life,

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3-10/000.00 PREAMBLE TO THE USE OF FORCE POLICY
Where there is not an immediate physical threat, members shall take into account and communicate (where applicable)

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tactical considerations predicated on preventing the use of force whenever possible.

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3-10/000.00 PREAMBLE TO THE USE OF FORCE POLICY
For planned tactical operations, such as service of warrants, parole compliance searches, tactical cell extractions, and prolonged passive resistance, members shall

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develop a tactical plan predicated on preventing the use of force whenever possible.

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3-10/000.00 PREAMBLE TO THE USE OF FORCE POLICY
The Sheriff’s Department is committed to upholding lawful, professional, and ethical standards through

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force prevention efforts, effective tactics, dispassionate and objective review, and analysis of every incident.

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3-10/005.00 FORCE PREVENTION PRINCIPLES
Upholding lawful, professional, and ethical standards through assertive leadership and supervision before, during, and after force incidents. This includes

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force prevention efforts, effective tactics, dispassionate and objective review, and analysis of every incident.

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3-10/005.00 FORCE PREVENTION PRINCIPLES
Department members should de-escalate confrontations through

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tactical communication, warnings, and other common sense methods preventing the need to use force whenever reasonably possible.

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3-10/005.00 FORCE PREVENTION PRINCIPLES
When force must be used, Deputies and staff shall endeavor to use

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restraint techniques when possible, and use only that level of force necessary for the situation.

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3-10/010.00 USE OF FORCE DEFINED

Force is defined as

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any physical effort used to control or restrain another, or to overcome the resistance of another.

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3-10/020.00 AUTHORIZED USE OF FORCE

Department members are authorized to use only

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that amount of force that is objectively reasonable to perform their duties.

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3-10/020.00 AUTHORIZED USE OF FORCE
Objectively reasonable" means in light of the known circumstances, including, but not limited to,

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the crime, threat, and active resistence.

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3-10/020.00 AUTHORIZED USE OF FORCE

Department members maintain the right to

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self-defense and have a duty to protect the lives of others.

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3-10/030.00 UNREASONABLE FORCE

Unreasonable force is that force that is

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unnecessary or excessive given the totality of the circumstances (crime, threat, resistance) at the time the force is applied.

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3-10/030.00 UNREASONABLE FORCE
The basis in determining whether force is "unreasonable" shall be consistent with the Supreme Court decision of

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Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989).

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3-10/030.00 UNREASONABLE FORCE
The following uses of force are prohibited unless circumstances justify the use of deadly force:

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head strike(s) with an impact weapon;
deliberately/recklessly striking an individual’s head against a hard, fixed object
Kicking a lying person in head w/shod foot and/or,
Kneeing an individual in the head

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3-10/050.00 DIRECTED FORCE DEFINED

Force used in the execution of one's duties under

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the immediate direction of a supervisor shall be classified as Directed Force.

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3-10/060.00 RESCUE FORCE DEFINED
When a Department member is compelled to use force in order to prevent harm from occurring to

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medical staff, professional staff, or any non-Department member, the force used in such instances shall be classified as Rescue Force.

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3-10/070.00 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FORCE DEFINED
When a Department member restrains an individual under the --------------------------------, any force used in such instances shall be classified as Medical Assistance Force.

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immediate direction and supervision of medical staff

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Any use of force -----------------------------------constitutes Reportable Force and must be reported.

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(A) which is greater than that required for un-resisted Department-approved
1) searching or handcuffing,
2) control holds or come-alongs,
3) hobbling or
(B) which results in an injury or a complaint of pain

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Reportable Force Categories
Category 1 Force

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searching and handcuffing techniques resisted by a suspect;
hobbling resisted by a suspect;
control holds or come-alongs resisted by a suspect;
take downs; and/or
use of Oleoresin Capsicum spray, Freeze +P or Deep Freeze aerosols, or Oleoresin Capsicum powder from a Pepperball projectile (when a suspect is not struck by a Pepperball projectile) if it causes only discomfort and does not involve injury or lasting pain.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Reportable Force Categories
Category 2 Force involves any of the following:

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any identifiable injury;
a complaint of pain that a medical evaluation determines is attributable to an identifiable injury; and
any application of force other than those defined in Category 1 Force, but does not rise to the level of Category 3 Force.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Reportable Force Categories
Category 3 Force involves any of the following:

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when a shot was intentionally fired at a person;
any shooting which results in a person being hit,
force resulting in admittance to a hospital;
any death following a use of force;

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Reportable Force Categories
Category 3 Force involves any of the following:

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all head strikes with impact weapons;
kick(s), delivered from a standing position, to an individual’s head with a shod foot while the individual is lying on the ground/floor;

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Reportable Force Categories
Category 3 Force involves any of the following:

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knee strike(s) to an individual’s head deliberately or recklessly causing their head to strike the ground, floor, or other hard, fixed object;
deliberately or recklessly striking an individual’s head against a hard, fixed object,

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Reportable Force Categories
Category 3 Force involves any of the following:

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skeletal fractures, with the exception of minor fractures of the nose, fingers or toes, caused by any Department member;

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Reportable Force Categories
Category 3 Force involves any of the following:

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all canine bites; or
any force which results in a response from the IAB Force/Shooting Response Team, as defined in MPP section 3-10/130.00.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
--------------- all canine bites requiring medical treatment.

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IAB will be notified of

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Canine bites will initially be investigated by the SEB/CSD Sergeant, unless

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the incident meets the criteria for an IAB Force/Shooting Response Team response.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
All canine bites shall also be reviewed by the

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Executive Force Review Committee, Office of Independent Review and monitoring by Special Counsel.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Responsibilities for Reporting the Use of Force
In all cases in which members use Reportable Force, they shall make a verbal notification to

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their immediate supervisor (with a minimum rank of Sergeant) as soon as safely possible.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Unless otherwise specifically directed by ------------------the member shall complete a written first report of the force incident prior to the member going off duty.

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the Watch Commander/Supervising Lieutenant.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Each assisting member who used force

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shall submit a separate supplementary report detailing his or her actions prior to the member going of duty

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Department members witnessing Reportable Force used by---------------------- shall similarly advise their immediate supervisor, who will determine whether a separate report/memorandum by the member witness is required prior to the member going off duty.

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another Department member or by anyone working with or on behalf of the Department

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Members witnessing Reportable Force used by employees of another law enforcement agency shall,

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as soon as safely possible, advise their immediate supervisor and write a memorandum documenting their presence or, if applicable, provide a copy of their patrol log.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
When feasible, written reports shall be reviewed and approved by

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the supervisor to whom the force incident was initially reported.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
A reference to the ----------------------it was made shall be included in the first report.

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verbal notification and the name of the supervisor to whom

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Each member reporting force in a report or memorandum shall describe in detail the

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force incident, including the actions of the suspect necessitating the use of force and the specific force used in response to the suspect's actions.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Any injuries or complaint of injuries, and any medical treatment or refusal of medical treatment, shall be

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documented in the first report, supplementary reports or memoranda.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
When force is used during crowd control situations and an arrest cannot be made, or the suspect(s) cannot be identified, Department members shall

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report their individual uses of force, directed or otherwise, to an on-scene supervisor as soon as safely possible.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
The application of force applied to a group, or members of a group who are not arrested or cannot be identified, shall be documented on

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a single use of force memorandum by the on-scene supervisor and approved by the Incident Commander.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES
Reporting of force used in crowd control situations in which suspects are arrested, or can be identified, shall be

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reported as an individual use of force consistent with this policy.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
Allegations of force, by the person upon whom the alleged force was used or by a third party, shall be

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investigated in a timely manner similar to a force investigation (e.g., interview the complainant and witnesses, collect evidence, gather documents, respond to the scene, take photographs, etc.).

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
The Department member to whom the force allegation was reported shall report the allegation to

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their immediate supervisor (with a minimum rank of Sergeant).

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
That supervisor shall immediately However, if that supervisor was alleged to have been involved in, or a witness to, the incident, the inquiry shall be assigned to another supervisor.

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conduct an inquiry in order to determine the validity of the allegation (i.e., whether it is corroborated by statements and/or evidence).

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
However, if that supervisor was alleged to have been involved in, or a witness to, the incident, the inquiry

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shall be assigned to another supervisor.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
The supervisor conducting the inquiry shall adhere to the following guidelines:

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1. follow up on information provided by the individual making the allegation (i.e., interview person(s) whom the individual said were present and/or witnessed the incident, look for and collect evidence that the individual mentions);

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
The supervisor conducting the inquiry shall adhere to the following guidelines:

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2. collect evidence and take statements
3. take photographs of the location, if appropriate
4. review any medical records (in cases of an inmate, review the inmate injury report). If an inmate injury report was not prepared for an inmate, ensure that one is prepared and the inmate is medically treated;

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
The supervisor conducting the inquiry shall adhere to the following guidelines:

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5. photograph all visible injuries (if applicable);
6. determine if the force incident was recorded and secure any such recordings of the incident.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
An inquiry into a force allegation shall be documented in a memorandum from the supervisor to the Unit Commander and shall include

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the supervisor's conclusions regarding the validity to the allegation.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
The Unit Commander shall take one of the following actions:

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1. close the inquiry if there is no validity to the allegation
2. initiate an administrative investigation if the inquiry reveals possible misconduct that could result in discipline, such as unreported use of force
3. initiate a criminal investigation if the inquiry reveals reasonable suspicion that a crime occurred

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Force Allegations
The Unit Commander shall take one of the following actions:
Closed force allegation inquires shall be forwarded to the concerned

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Division Chief or Division Director for review/concurrence and subsequently forwarded to the Discovery Unit for retention.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Transporting Suspects
Whenever a suspect upon whom force was used is transported to a medical facility for examination or treatment prior to booking or housing in a custody facility, the transporting Deputy shall

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immediately advise the Field Sergeant or immediate supervisor

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Transporting Suspects
Except in the most compelling of circumstances, personnel involved in a Category 2 or 3 use of
force, including

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participants, witnesses, and supervisors directing force, shall not transport the prisoner.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Transporting Suspects
If compelling circumstances require that the prisoner be transported by involved personnel, detailed justification shall be made in

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all supervisors subsequent reports.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Transporting Suspects
The Sergeant shall immediately advise the Watch Commander or Supervising Lieutenant that the suspect is being

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treated or examined following a Deputy's use of force.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Transporting Suspects
When a suspect must be transported from the field directly to another facility for booking, the Watch Commander or Supervising Lieutenant shall arrange to conduct the prisoner interview at

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the booking site.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment
A suspect must be transported to a medical facility for examination/treatment by qualified medical personnel whenever the person:

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Strikes their head on a hard object, or sustains a blow to the head/face, as a result of the application of force by a Deputy, regardless of how minor any injury to the
head/face may appear. Shall inform DR. suspect struck head. Suffers a gunshot wound.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment
A suspect must be transported to a medical facility for examination/treatment by qualified medical personnel whenever the person:

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was restrained with a carotid restraint, or any kind of neck/throat restraint, whether or not they are rendered unconscious. Shall inform DR they were restrained with technique and whether they were rendered unconscious.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment
A suspect must be transported to a medical facility for examination/treatment by qualified medical personnel whenever the person:

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Is hit with a specialized weapon projectile or taser drive stun mode
Sustains a canine bite resulting in any bleeding or penetration of the skin,

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment
A suspect must be transported to a medical facility for examination/treatment by qualified medical personnel whenever the person:

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Has injuries that appear to require medical treatment,
Alleges any injury and requests medical treatment, whether or not they have any apparent injuries,

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment
A suspect must be transported to a medical facility for examination/treatment by qualified medical personnel whenever the person:

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Alleges that substantial force was used against them, whether or not they have any apparent injuries or requests medical treatment,

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment
A suspect must be transported to a medical facility for examination/treatment by qualified medical personnel whenever the person:

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Was wearing the electronic immobilization belt during its activation (unless qualified medical clearance is obtained in the field)

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment
A suspect must be transported to a medical facility for examination/treatment by qualified medical personnel whenever the person:

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Has the Total Appendage Restraint Procedure (TARP) applied on them (unless qualified medical clearance is obtained in the field). Refer to MPP section
3-01/110.22 TARP

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment
A suspect must be transported to a medical facility for examination/treatment by qualified medical personnel whenever the person:

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Any doubt regarding the need for medical treatment shall be resolved by transporting the
suspect to an appropriate medical facility.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment If the suspect refuses medical treatment, they shall be

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transported to a medical facility and required to personally inform the medical staff of their refusal to receive medical treatment.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment The Deputy transporting the suspect shall include in the appropriate report or memorandum the

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name of the medical personnel to whom the suspect indicated their refusal and the name of the medical staff member authorizing booking at the Station or regular jail housing.

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3-10/100.00 USE OF FORCE REPORTING PROCEDURES Medical Treatment If the medical staff indicates that the suspect should be treated despite their refusal, the suspect shall be

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transported to the County-USC Medical Center Jail Ward or to the appropriate Custody Division medical facility for treatment or medical review.