Control Devices

308.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
To reduce and minimize altercationrelated injuries to officers and subjects, the UCLA Police Department authorizes the use of selected control devices. These control devices are provided in order to control violent or potentially violent subjects. It is anticipated that the use of these devices will generally result in fewer altercationrelated injuries to officers and subjects. The below procedures are for the use and maintenance of control devices (e.g., ASP/baton, electronic control device (ECD), oleoresin capsicum (OC) and kinetic energy projectiles). Only those control devices that have been approved by the Chief of Police or his/her designee are authorized to be carried by members of this Department.

308.1.1 WHEN DEVICES MAY BE USED
When a decision has been made to restrain or arrest a violent or potentially violent subject, an approved control device may only be used when its use appears reasonable under the circumstances.

308.1.2 REVIEW, INSPECTION AND APPROVAL
Every control device will be periodically inspected by the Department Rangemaster, range staff or the designated instructor for a particular control device.

308.1.3 TRAINING FOR CONTROL DEVICES
(a) Only officers trained and having shown proficiency in the use of any control device and this Department’s Use of Force policy are authorized to carry the device.

• Proficiency training must be monitored and documented by a weapons or tactics instructor.

(b) Training for all control devices should occur every two years at a minimum.
(c) All training and proficiency for control devices will be documented in the officer’s Training File.
(d) Officers failing to demonstrate proficiency with the weapon or knowledge of this Department’s Use of Force policy will be provided remedial training. If, after two additional attempts, an officer still cannot demonstrate proficiency with a weapon or knowledge of this Department’s Use of Force policy, the officer may be subject to discipline.

308.2 BATON/ASP
The baton/ASP is authorized for use when, based upon the circumstances perceived by the officer, such force appears objectively reasonable to result in the control of the subject. Examples include crowd control, selfdefense, to protect life or property and to disarm or control potentially dangerous persons and animals. The need to immediately incapacitate the suspect must be weighed against the risk of causing serious injury. The head, neck, throat, spine, heart, kidneys and groin should not be intentionally targeted except when the officer reasonably believes the suspect may cause serious bodily injury or death to the officer or others. The use of the police baton/ASP upon the person of another shall be reported to a supervisors soon as possible after the incident.

308.3 CHEMICAL AGENTS
Only authorized personnel may possess and maintain Department issued oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray. Chemical agents are weapons used to minimize the potential for injury to officers, the public or subjects. They should be used only in situations where such force is objectively reasonable. The use of chemical agents such as OC for crowd control, crowd dispersal or against barricaded suspects shall be based on the circumstances. The Watch Commander or Incident Commander may authorize the delivery and use of OC, evaluating all conditions known at the time and determining that such force reasonably appears reasonable to result in the safe control of the suspect(s). When practical, fire personnel should be alerted or summoned to the scene to control any fires and to assist in providing medical aid or gas evacuation when the scene is safe. Only officers or supervisors trained in the use of OC weapons should discharge such devices at the scene.

308.3.1 REQUIRED INSTRUCTION FOR USE
All personnel authorized to carry OC spray, uniformed and nonuniformed, shall complete the required course of instruction prior to possessing and using the OC spray.

308.3.2 CARRYING OF OC SPRAY
Uniformed field personnel that exercise the option of carrying the OC spray shall carry the device in its holster on the belt. Plainclothes and nonfield personnel may carry the OC spray as authorized, consistent with the needs of his/her assignment or at the direction of his/her supervisor. Canisters involved in any type of malfunction or damage shall be turned into the Property Officer for exchange. Written notification may also be forwarded to the appropriate supervisor and shall explain the cause of damage.

308.3.3 TREATMENT FOR OC SPRAY EXPOSURE
Persons who have been affected by the use of chemical agents should be promptly provided with the proper solution (water) to cleanse the affected areas. Those persons that complain of further severe effects (i.e., difficulty breathing, blurred vision) shall be afforded a medical examination by medical personnel such as EMS1 and/or LAFD.

308.3.4 REPORTING USE OF CHEMICAL AGENT
All uses of chemical agents shall be documented in the related Offense/Arrest report and the Use of Force package.

308.4 KINETIC ENERGY PROJECTILES
This Department is committed to reducing the potential for violent confrontations with the subjects officers encounter. Kinetic energy technology and equipment are items, which when used properly, are less likely to result in death or serious bodily injury. Kinetic energy technology includes several types of kinetic energy projectiles, approved by the Department, that fire from 12 gauge shotguns. Kinetic energy munitions can be used in an attempt to deescalate a potentially deadly situation with a reduced potential for death or serious bodily injury.

308.4.1 DEPLOYMENT
Kinetic energy munitions are justified and may be used to compel an individual to cease his/her actions when such munitions present a reasonable option for resolving the situation. Officers are not required or compelled to use kinetic energy munitions in lieu of other reasonable tactics if the involved officer(s) determine that deployment of these munitions cannot be done safely. The safety of hostages, uninvolved members of the public and officers, takes priority over the safety of subjects engaged in criminal activity or suicidal behavior.

308.4.2 EXAMPLES OF CIRCUMSTANCES FOR DEPLOYMENT
Examples include, but are not limited to, the following types of situations where the subject:

(a) Is armed with a weapon and the tactical circumstances allow for the safe application of kinetic energy munitions.
(b) Has made credible threats to harm himself/herself or others.
(c) Is engaged in riotous behavior or is throwing rocks, bottles or other dangerous projectiles at the public and/or officers.

308.4.3 DEPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Before discharging kinetic energy projectiles, the officer should consider the following factors:

(a) Severity of the crime or incident.
(b) Subject’s capability to pose an immediate threat to the safety of officers or others.
(c) If the subject is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight.
(d) The credibility of the subject’s threat as evaluated by the officers and physical capacity/capability of the subject and/or the officer.
(e) The proximity of weapons available to the subject.
(f) The officer’s versus the subject’s physical factors including age, size, relative strength, skill level, injury/exhaustion, the number of officer(s) versus the number of subject(s).
(g) The effectiveness of other force options.
(h) Distance and angle to target.
(i) Type of munitions deployed.
(j) Type and thickness of subject’s clothing.
(k) The subject’s actions dictate the need for an immediate response and the use of kinetic energy munitions appears appropriate.

308.4.4 DEPLOYMENT DISTANCES

Officers will keep in mind the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding deployment when using kinetic energy munitions, but are not solely restricted to use according to these manufacturer recommendations. Each tactical situation must be evaluated based on the totality of circumstances at the time of deployment. Ten yards is the manufacturer’s minimum recommended distance for kinetic energy application to prevent death or serious bodily injury. At distances greater than 15 yards, accuracy of the beanbag munitions decreases significantly, thereby increasing the chances of striking the head or throat area. In cases where the use of deadly force is justified or immediate incapacitation must be accomplished to prevent death or serious bodily injury, officers are authorized to consider close range or extended range shots involving distances closer than 10 yards or greater than 15 yards.

308.4.5 SHOT PLACEMENT
The need to immediately incapacitate the subject must be weighed against the risk of causing serious bodily injury or death. The most effective shot placement is to the extremities, lower abdomen and buttocks, which carry a low risk of serious bodily injury (with a low potential for immediate incapacitation).

308.4.6 APPROVED KINETIC ENERGY MUNITIONS
The approved 12 gauge kinetic energy munitions for patrol use is the Defense Technology drag stabilized round, beanbag. It is a 2 3/4" standard clear plastic 12 gauge shotshell.

308.4.7 KINETIC ENERGY PROJECTILES SHOTGUNS
A specially marked shotgun with an orange stock, designated for the use of kinetic energy 12 gauge projectiles, will normally be carried in the trunk of police units. Officers will inspect this shotgun at the beginning of each shift to ensure that it is in proper working order and loaded with approved kinetic energy projectiles only.

308.5 TRAINING REQUIRED FOR USE
Officers that have completed an approved Departmental training course shall be authorized to use kinetic energy projectiles. Officers deploying kinetic energy munitions will complete a recertification course. Officers that have completed a Departmental training course may carry and employ 12 gauge energy projectiles while onduty.

308.6 RESPONSIBILITIES
308.6.1 WATCH COMMANDER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Watch Commander shall monitor the use of control devices in the same manner as all other use of force incidents.

(a) The Watch Commander or immediate supervisor may authorize the use of a control device provided the officers authorized have the required training. The officer should broadcast on the radio if a control device is deployed.
(b) The Watch Commander or immediate supervisor shall review each use of control devices by any personnel within his/her span of control or chainofcommand.
(c) The Watch Commander or immediate supervisor shall ensure training on the use of control devices is provided as needed.

308.6.2 RANGEMASTER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Rangemaster shall control the inventory of all control devices. All damaged, inoperative and/or expended control devices shall be returned to the Rangemaster or the range staff for disposition, repair or replacement.

308.6.3 MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY
All normal maintenance, charging or cleaning shall remain the responsibility of personnel using the various devices.

308.7 REPORTING USE OF CONTROL DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES
Any application of a control device and/or technique listed within this section shall be documented pursuant to Policy Manual § 300.4 and 300.8.