Policy Text
Policy
303Buena Park Police Department
Buena Park PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/20, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Buena Park Police DepartmentControl Devices and Techniques - 1Control Devices and Techniques
303.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for the use and maintenance of control devices that are described
in this policy.
303.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This policy pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 1.2.2, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3,
4.3.4, 33.1.5
303.2 POLICY
In order to control subjects who are violent or who demonstrate the intent to be violent, the
Buena Park Police Department authorizes officers to use control devices in accordance with the
guidelines in this policy and the Use of Force Policy.
303.3 ISSUING, CARRYING AND USING CONTROL DEVICES
Control devices described in this policy may be carried and used by members of this department
only if the device has been issued by the Department or approved by the Chief of Police or the
authorized designee.
Only officers who have successfully completed department-approved training in the use of any
control device are authorized to carry and use the device.
Control devices may be used when a decision has been made to control, restrain or arrest a
subject who is violent or who demonstrates the intent to be violent, and the use of the device
appears reasonable under the circumstances. When reasonable, a verbal warning and opportunity
to comply should precede the use of these devices.
When using control devices, officers should carefully consider potential impact areas in order to
minimize injuries and unintentional targets.
303.4 RESPONSIBILITIES
303.4.1 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 may authorize the use of a control device by selected
personnel or members of specialized units who have successfully completed the
required training.
(b)The Watch Commander or assigned designee shall review each use of control devices
by any personnel within their command as soon as practical.
Buena Park Police Department
Buena Park PD Policy Manual
Control Devices and Techniques
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/20, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Buena Park Police DepartmentControl Devices and Techniques - 2303.4.2 FIELD SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The Field Supervisor shall monitor the use of control devices in the same manner as all other
use-of-force incidents.
(a)The request for a control device should be made through the Field Supervisor.
(b)The Field Supervisor may authorize the use of a control device by selected personnel
or employees of specialized units who have successfully completed the required
training.
The Field Supervisor shall review each use of control devices by any personnel within his/her
command at the time of the incident.
303.4.3 TRAINING COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The Training Coordinator shall control the inventory and issuance of all control devices and shall
ensure that all damaged, inoperative, outdated or expended control devices or munitions are
properly disposed of, repaired or replaced.
Every control device will be periodically inspected by the Training Coordinator or the
designated department-authorized armorer for a particular control device. The inspection shall be
documented.
303.4.4 USER RESPONSIBILITIES
All normal maintenance, charging or cleaning shall remain the responsibility of personnel using
the various devices.
Any damaged, inoperative, outdated or expended control devices or munitions, along with
documentation by either Departmental memorandum or Blue Team entry explaining the cause of
the damage, shall be forwarded to the Training Supervisor and through the chain of command.
Damage to City property forms shall also be prepared and forwarded through the chain of
command, when appropriate, explaining the cause of damage.
303.5 BATON GUIDELINES
Uniformed personnel may carry a straight baton, side-handle baton, or a collapsible baton. Officers
must be trained in the use of whichever baton they elect to carry. If an officer carries a collapsible
baton, they shall also have a straight or side-handle baton in service in the field.
The need to immediately control a 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 poses an imminent threat of serious
bodily injury or death to the officer or others.
When carrying a baton, uniformed personnel shall carry the baton in its authorized holder on the
equipment belt. Plainclothes and non-field personnel may carry the baton as authorized and in
accordance with the needs of their assignment or at the direction of their supervisor.
Buena Park Police Department
Buena Park PD Policy Manual
Control Devices and Techniques
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/20, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Buena Park Police DepartmentControl Devices and Techniques - 3303.6 CHEMICAL AGENTS GUIDELINES
Chemical agents may be used for crowd control, crowd dispersal or against barricaded suspects
based on the circumstances. Only the Watch Commander, Incident Commander or SWAT
Commander may authorize the delivery and use of chemical agents, and only after evaluating all
conditions known at the time and determining that such force reasonably appears justified and