Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER C-8 Index as: Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Effective Date:
4 Dec 09
Evaluation Coordinator:
BOI Deputy Chief
Evaluation Due Date:
4 Jun 10
Automatic Revision Cycle:
3 Years
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OLEORESIN CAPSICUM
The purpose of this order is to set fort h Departmental policy and procedures for
ordering, receiving, and issuing Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), “Pepper” Spray. I. NOMENCLATURE A. Small - Defense Technology Federal La boratories (DefTec), Mk VI OC
Projector, Part No. 5069, .68 oz.
B. Large - Defense Technology Federal La boratories (DefTec), Mk IV OC
Projector, Part No. 5049, 3 oz.
II. PURCHASING, RECEIVING, DI STRIBUTION, AND DESTRUCTION
A. The Property and Evidence Unit (PEU ) shall be responsible for the
purchasing, receiving, and di stribution of OC spray.
The PEU Supervisor or designee shall:
1. Inventory OC supply and order the appropriate size OC canisters
when either inventory falls to less than 50 units or less than 100
units when a recruit traini ng class is in session;
2. Log the date and time OC inventory was received;
3. Ensure the shipment is not dama ged and has not been tampered
with;
4. Ensure the shipment received reconciles with the quantity
requisitioned on the Purchase Order;
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER C-8 Effective Date
4 Dec 09 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
5. Prepare and forward a memorandum to the Bureau of Investigation
Deputy Chief, detailing any discrepa ncy, damage, or tampering of
the shipment;
6. Notify the vendor of any discrepanc y, damage, or tampering of the
shipment.
7. Ensure the inventory is stored in a secure location within the PEU.
8. Coordinate the periodic destructi on of accumulated used, expired,
damaged, and non-func tioning canisters in ac cordance with state
and local laws.
B. Distribution of OC Spray Canisters
1. PEU personnel shall:
a. Be responsible for the initial issuing of OC spray to new
personnel.
1)) Upon notice, prior to gr aduation from the Recruit
Academy or Lateral Course; or 1
2)) Upon completion of the certification process. 2
b. Only issue OC spray canister s to members and eligible
employees whose names a ppear on a list verifying
completion of certification or training provided by the
Training Section.
c. Only issue ONE small and/or large OC canister to any one
person.
d. Issue a new OC spray ca nister under the following
conditions:
1)) Replacement after an OC use of force incident; 1
2)) Replacement of an exhaus ted or partially used
canister (i.e., due to test firing or used on animal); 2
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER C-8 Effective Date
4 Dec 09 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
3)) Replacement of a date-expi red canister (5-year shelf
life); 3
4)) Replacement of a non-f unctioning or damaged
canister; 4
5)) Replacement of a lost/stolen canister; 5
6)) Training; or 6
7)) Replacement of a canister turned in as evidence. 7
e. Receive the empty, expired, partially used, damaged or
non-functioning OC spray canister from the member or
employee prior to issuance of a new OC spray canister.
f. Ensure the OC Contro l Log is completed;
g. Advise the member or employ ee that, if a canister is not
turned-in, he/she is required to notify and have his/her
immediate supervisor subm it a memorandum detailing the
circumstances and requesting the issuance of a replacement canister of OC;
If a member or employee cannot submit a signed memorandum for the issuance of a replacement canister,
prior to deploying into the fi eld, PEU personnel shall issue
a new canister of OC spray and document this occurrence on the OC Control Log;
h. Record his/her name and seri al number on the OC Control
Log.
2. The PEU supervisor or designee shall:
a. Enter the appropriate information on the OC Control Log into the appropriate database.
b. Track all OC spray canisters issued without a signed
memorandum.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER C-8 Effective Date
4 Dec 09 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
c. Prepare and forward a monthly report to the BOI Deputy
Chief and the designated Complia nce Assessor detailing the
following:
1)) Name of requesting member/employee; 1
2)) Date of issuance; 2
3)) Whether an old OC canister was turned in; 3
4)) Reason the old OC canisters was turned in; 4
5)) Whether a memorandum was s ubmitted, if required; 5
6)) Name of requesting member /employee’s supervisor 6
III. TRAINING SECTION RESPONSIBILITIES
A. The Training Section Commander shall: 1. Provide the PEU with funding for the purchase of OC.
2. Ensure a list of non–sworn personnel trained in the use of OC spray is prepared and