08-03 - Use Of Force Directive

FLORIDA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT 08-03 ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE death or serious bodily injury. the level of resistance offered. Members shall demonstrate a good faith effort in administering PROBABLE CAUSE: That set of facts or that amount of force necessary to meet that circumstance based on personal knowledge, specific resistance level. observation or reliable information that shows and would warrant an ordinary prudent person B. Any application of force may result in injury to believe that a particular person has, is or complaint that unnecessary or excessive force threatening, or about to commit an unlawful act, was used. The amount of force administered by and would cause a person of average caution to the member shall not shock the conscience of act in a similar manner under similar the community. If the person is injured, the circumstances. extent of the injury shall be proportionate with the exhibited resistance level. Courts have held REASONABLE BELIEF: The facts or that for use of force to be justified you must circumstances the officer knows, or should show: know, are such as to cause an ordinary and prudent person to act or think in a similar way 1. Need for the application of force. under similar circumstances. 2. Relationship between the need and the PROCEDURE: amount of force used.