Policy Text
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
USE OF FORCE Page 1
TITLE: USE OF FORCE
NUMBER: 301
EFFECTIVE: FEBRUARY 1, 2000
REFERENCE: F.S.S. Chapters 776 & 790
RESCINDS:
ATTACHMENTS: Force Continuum (Appendix A)
Subject Management /Use of Force Report (Appendix B)
DATE FOR REVIEW: ANNUALLY
REVIEW BY: STAFF
DATE LAST REVIEW: June 2025
DATE REVISED: February 2025
PURPOSE ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 2
POLICY ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 2
DEFINITIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 2
PROCEDURES ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 4
UNNECESSARY OR EXCESSIVE FORCE / DUTY TO INTERVENE ................................ .............. 5
REASONABLE FORCE ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 5
SUBJECT RESISTANCE LEVELS ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 6
OFFICER RESPONSE OPTIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 6
AUTHORIZED USE OF DEADLY FORCE ................................ ................................ ......................... 7
AUTHORIZED USE OF FIREARMS ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 8
USE OF HANDGUNS ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 9
USE OF SHOULDER WEAPONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 9
LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF FIREARMS ................................ ................................ .................... 10
PROCEDU RE AFTER FIREARM DISCHARGE ................................ ................................ ................ 10
AUTHORIZED USE OF CHEMICAL AGENTS ................................ ................................ .................. 11
AUTHORIZED USE OF THE EXPANDABLE BATON ................................ ................................ ....... 12
AUTHORIZED USE OF TASER ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 14
AUTHORIZED USE OF LESS LETHAL LAUNCHER ................................ ................................ ........ 17
USE OF HANDCUFFS / RESTRAINT DEVICES ................................ ................................ ............... 18
OTHER ISSUED PERSONAL EQUIPMENT ................................ ................................ ..................... 19
FLASHLIGHTS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 19
USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE /WEAPONLESS PHYSICAL FORCE ................................ ................... 20
RESISTING OFFICER CHARGES ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 21
PROHIBITED TYPES OF FORCE ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 21
MAINTAINING PROFICIENCY/RELIEF OF POLICE AUTHORITY ................................ .................. 21
SUBJECT MANAGEMENT /USE OF FORCE REPORT ................................ ................................ .... 22
MEMBERS ACTIONS RESULTING IN DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY ............................. 24
APPENDIX A ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 26
APPENDIX B ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 28
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
USE OF FORCE Page 2
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines in the use of force and use of defensive tactics by:
• Establishing policy for carrying and using any weapons (lethal and non -lethal) while on or off duty .
• Establishing policy governing the use of force, to include deadly force.
• Establishing policy governing the use of weaponless physical force.
• Providing instructions for the completion of the Su bject Management /Use of Force Report.
POLICY
301.1a The emphasis and value placed upon the preservation of human life in our society requires that
law enforcement officers exercise reasonable care and judgment in fulfilling the police function. It is
recognized that officers must be properly armed for the protection of society and themselves as long as
the public is victimized and officers are confronted with deadly force in the performance of their duties.
Therefore, members of the Maitland Police Department shall at all times exhaust every other
reasonab le means of apprehension before resorting to the use of force.
301.1b In all cases, sworn officers will use only the force necessary to effect lawful objectives
and, when using force, will conform to State law. The use of force may appear legally justified in
some instances, but members’ actions must also stand the test of moral and practical considerations.
301.1 c No officer shall be issued any Department weapon or firearm, allowed to carry any weapon or
firearm, or authorized to use deadly force or non -deadly force, until the member has received, read and
been instructed in this policy.
DEFINITIONS
301.2a Force Continuum - The “ Force Continuum” is a guideline that defines the various levels of
force that are authorized to subdue subjects who resist arrest. In practice, the “ Force Continuum” is a
graduated process that is based on the utilization of minimum force necessar y to counter and/or
subdue the physical actions of an arrestee. The utilization of any technique shall be predicated on the
physical actions of the arrestee , with due consideration to the circumstances at hand and the size and
physical skill of the arrest ee and the officer(s) involved.
301.2b Deviations from the “ Force Continuum” such as skipping lesser control measures and
escalating to stronger control measures must be justifiable and shall be clearly articulated in the
Subject Management /Use of Forc e Report. The Force Continuum is found in Appendix A of this policy.
301.2 c Deadly Force - Deadly force is that force employed which is likely to cause death or great
bodily harm. It is determined not only by the type of weapon used, but