Policy Text
FLORIDA CITY POLICE
DEPARTMENT SECTION NUMBER : 2.225
SUBJECT: POLICY - USE OF FORCE EFFECTIVE DATE: AUGUST 31, 2020
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
FELON - A suspect who the officer has probab le 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 gre at
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 verba l 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 p rudent
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 situat ion 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
2.225. 11 AUTHORIZED USE
A member shall not thaw or display his firearm except for a legal
use, or official inspection. A member should never draw or
display his firearm unless he plans to and is ready to use it.
A member may discharge his firearm in connection with the
performance of his official police duty when all other means fail,
for the following reason or circumsta nces, as authorized by law
and rules and regulations:
A member may discharge his firearm in connection with the
performance of his official police duty when all other means fail,
for the following reason or circumstances, as authorized by law
and rules and regulations:
a) At the pistol range for target practice or when authorized
for training purpose.
b) To kill a seriously wounded or dangerous animal, when
other disposition is impractical, (only on authorization
from a Superior Officer, if time permits.)
c) To give an alarm or to call for assistance for an important
purpose when no other means can be used.
2.225.12 UNAUTHORIZED USE
a) Firing into the air or ground in an attempt to halt a fleeing
criminal is dangerous to innocent persons and is a great
personal and official risk to the officer.
b) A me mber shall not fire upon, or as a wa rning to who has
been ordered to halt because of mere suspicion and who,
without making any resistance, simply runs away to avoid
arrest.
c) A member shall not dischar ge his revolver to effect an
arrest or to stop the flight of a person who has committed a
misdemeanor.
d) If the misdemeanant becomes a dangerous assailant or if an
attempt is made to rescue by violence any prisoner, even
though charged with only a misdem eanor, the situation
changes instantly. The officer must meet force with force
and to use his revolver only as a last means of
2.225.13 REPORT OF USE
A member who discharge their service weapon accidentally or
unintentionally (except at firearms range) shall make a verbal
report to his super visor as soon as circumstances will permit and
shall complete an Use of Control Report and the supervisor will
complete a Discharge of Firearm Report , describing the
circumstance in detail under which the firearm was discharged.
2.225.14 LOADING, UNLOADING
Members shall not clean, load or unload their firearms at any
place in the police building except:
a)When unloading and loading is ordered by a superior
officer for inspection purposes.
b)In the pistol range and then only when shooting under
superior vision of a Superior Officer or training officer.
2.225.15 RECEIVING LOADED FIREARMS - EVIDENCE
Upon receiving loaded firearms for any reason, a member of the
Department shall immediately unload it. If the firearm i s to be
used as evidence, great care should be taken to preserve
fingerprints and the unloading done so as not to damage or
contaminate the breech or the cartridge being unloaded. The
firearm, if it is to be handled, it shall be handled by