Policy Text
2.225 USE OF DEADLY FORCE
Officer will use deadly force only as a last resort and when the
Officer has reasonable belief that deadly force action is required:
1. To prevent death or substantial harm to the officer or
another person: Or
2 To prevent the escape or to affect the apprehension of a
fleeing felon who would pose a real threat of death or
substantial harm to the community or police officers; or
3. To affect the apprehension of a fleeing felon where the
officer reasonably believes that the felon has just
committed a felony resulting in death or substantial bodily
harm.
DEFINITIONS
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FELON A suspect who the officer has probable cause to
believe has committed or is committing a crime that is
punishable under Florida State Law by death or imprisonment in
excess of one year in the excess of one year in the State
Penitentiary.
DEADLY FORCE - Any force likely to cause death or great
bodily harm. The firing of a firearm in the direction of a person
is deadly force.
-
LAST RESORT All practical means available to the officer to
avoid using deadly force have been exhausted. Depending on the
use situation, these means may include verbal commands, foot
pursuit, or using a lesser necessary force, when these means can
be accomplished without endangering the officer or any other
person.
REASONABLE BELIEF - A state of mind supported by
circumstances strong enough to warrant a cautious and prudent
officer to make a similar judgment. The elements of reasonable
belief include the officer’s own experience and training, as well
as the fact of the situation know to the officer at the time of the
application of deadly force.
SUBSTANTIAL HARM - Any injury likely to result in death,
permanent disability disfigurement, considerable Note: A police
officer should make every effort to not place himself in a
position of danger when attempting to approach or pursue a
motor vehicle and should avoid a situation in which the use of a
motor vehicle would pose threat of death or substantial harm to
the officer.
2,225.10 FIREARMS AND WEPAONS