Policy Text
Policy
304Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentConducted Electrical Weapon - 1Conducted Electrical Weapon
304.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for the issuance and use of CEWs.
304.2 POLICY
The Conducted Electrical Weapon (CEW) is used in an attempt to control a violent or potentially
violent individual. The appropriate use of such a device may result in fewer serious injuries to
officers and suspects.
304.3 ISSUANCE AND CARRYING CEWS
Only members who have successfully completed department-approved training may be issued
and may carry the CEW.
CEWs are issued for use during a member's current assignment. Those leaving a particular
assignment may be required to return the device to the department inventory.
Officers shall only use the CEW and cartridges/magazines that have been issued by the
Department. Cartridges/magazines should not be used after the manufacturer's expiration date.
Uniformed officers who have been issued the CEW shall wear the device in an approved holster
Officers who carry the CEW while in uniform shall carry it in a holster on the side opposite the
duty weapon (Penal Code §13660).
(a)All CEWs shall be clearly distinguishable to differentiate them from the duty weapon
and any other device.
(b)For single-shot devices, whenever practicable, officers should carry an additional
cartridge on their person when carrying the CEW.
(c)Officers shall be responsible for ensuring that the issued CEW is properly maintained
and in good working order.
(d)Officers should not hold a firearm and the CEW at the same time.
304.3.1 USER RESPONSIBILITIES
Officers shall be responsible for ensuring that the issued CEW is properly maintained and in
good working order. This includes a function test and battery life monitoring, as required by the
manufacturer, and should be completed prior to the beginning of the officer's shift.
304.4 VERBAL AND VISUAL WARNINGS
A verbal warning of the intended use of the CEW should precede its application, unless it would
otherwise endanger the safety of officers or when it is not practicable due to the circumstances.
The purpose of the warning is to:
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Conducted Electrical Weapon
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentConducted Electrical Weapon - 2(a)Provide the individual with a reasonable opportunity to voluntarily comply.
(b)Provide other officers and individuals with a warning that the CEW may be deployed.
If, after a verbal warning, an individual fails to voluntarily comply with an officer's lawful orders
and it appears both reasonable and feasible under the circumstances, the officer may, but is not
required to, activate any warning on the device, which may include display of the electrical arc,
an audible warning, or the laser in a further attempt to gain compliance prior to the application of
the CEW. The laser should not be intentionally directed into anyone's eyes.
The fact that a verbal or other warning was given or the reasons it was not given shall be
documented by the officer deploying the CEW in the related report.
304.5 USE OF THE CEW
The CEW has limitations and restrictions requiring consideration before its use. The CEW should
only be used when its operator can safely deploy the device within its operational range. Although
the CEWmay be effective in controlling most individuals, officers should be aware that the device
may not achieve the intended results and be prepared with other options.
If sufficient personnel are available and can be safely assigned, an officer designated as lethal
cover for any officer deploying a CEW may be considered for officer safety.
304.5.1 APPLICATION OF THE CEW
The CEW may be used when the circumstances reasonably perceived by the officer at the time
indicate that such application reasonably appears necessary to control a person who:
(a)Is violent or is physically resisting.
(b)Has demonstrated, by words or action, an intention to be violent or to physically resist,
and reasonably appears to present the potential to harm officers, themself, or others.
Mere flight from a pursuing officer, without additional circumstances or factors, is not good cause
for the use of the CEW to apprehend an individual.
The CEW shall not be used to psychologically torment, to elicit statements, or to punish any
individual.
304.5.2 SPECIAL DEPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The use of the CEW on certain individuals should generally be avoided unless the totality of
the circumstances indicates that other available options reasonably appear ineffective or would
present a greater danger to the officer, the subject or others, and the officer reasonably believes
that the need to control the individual outweighs the potential risk of using the device. This includes:
(a)Individuals who are known to be pregnant.
(b)Elderly individuals or obvious juveniles.
(c)Individuals with obviously low body mass.
(d)Individuals who are handcuffed or otherwise restrained.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Conducted Electrical Weapon
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/03/27, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentConducted Electrical Weapon - 3(e)Individuals known to have been recently sprayed with a flammable chemical agent or
who are otherwise known to be in close proximity to any known combustible vapor or
flammable material, including alcohol-based oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray.
(f)Individuals whose position or activity is likely to result in collateral injury (e.g