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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: May 29, 2025  Amends - GO 8 .1.0 ( October 7, 2024 ) Number: 8.1.6 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: September Reviewing Authority: HRD / Training Subject: Chemical Agent This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose To establish guidelines for the appropriate use of chemical agent in accordance with response to resistance . 2. Policy Orange County deputies and select non-sworn personnel are authorized to utilize chemical weapons in accordance with this policy, after completing training approved by the agency. 3. Definitions A. Agency -Approved Training – Any training approved by the agency’s Training Section Commander or verified, successful completion of equivalent training from an agency that is sanctioned by the Training Section Commander or designee. B. Chemical Agent Individual Protection Device (IPD) - An aerosol spray chemical agent approv ed by the agency for individuals to carry and use. C. CS – an abbreviation for chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, a riot control agent that causes disabling physiological effects when they come into contact with the eyes or skin, or when inhaled by unprotected individuals, by interacting with sensory nerve receptors in the skin and mucosal surfaces at the site of contamination, resulting in local pain and discomfort with associated reflexes. D. Ferret – a trademarked name for a non -burning 40 mm CS round that is designed to penetrate barriers, such as windows, hollow core doors, wallboard, and thin plywood; and, upon impacting the barrier, ruptures and instantaneously delivers CS into a structure or vehicle. E. Hydraulic Needle Effect – the mechanism in whic h the pressure of a moving liquid is sufficient to cause penetration of the skin. 8.1.6, Page 2 of 6 F. MK-46 –A 46-ounce portable canister that deploys OC and is intended for crowd management . G. MK-9 - a 9-ounce portable canister that deploys oleoresin capsicum ( OC) and is intended for crowd management. H. OC – an abbreviation for oleoresin capsicum, a natural substance derived from the resin of chili peppers that causes inflammation to the eyes, skin, and nose. I. Passive Physical Resistance – slight physical harm: A sub ject physically refuses to comply or respond to a deputy’s command. He/she does not make any attempt to physically defeat the actions of the deputy but forces the deputy to employ physical maneuvers, or chemical agent to establish control. J. PAVA - an abbreviation for Pelargonic acid vanillylamide, an organic compound found in chili peppers. It's a synthetic analog of capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers. PAVA is used in food, medicine, and as a self-defense agent. K. PepperBall Launcher: a non -lethal self -defense weapon designed to shoot small projectiles (Live X, Live MAXX , Glass breaker and Marking projectile s) filled with the powdered irritant PAVA. When the projectile hits its target, it bursts, releasing the irrit ant into the air. L. Physical Control – slight potential for physical harm . M. Response to Resistance Matrix – The Response to Resistance Matrix is a set of guidelines established to assist agency personnel in their decision - making process regarding the appropriate use of force. N. Rubber Ball Blast Grenade – a grenade, commonly used for crowd management, that combines a loud sound with a flash for the purpose of creating a distraction . O. Skat Shell – a trademarked name for a chemical projectile round that is designed to deliver multiple OC or CS canisters from a 40 mm launcher. 4. Procedures A. Sworn, and select non -sworn personnel are authorized to carry chemical agents only after successful completion of approved training to include the proper use and carrying of the chemical agent . This training will be conducted by an agency approved instr uctor. The following are chemical agents tha t are approved for agency use: 1. IPD (sworn, and select non -sworn personnel) a. Aerosol Spray 8.1.6, Page 3 of 6 b. Gel / Foam 2. Non-IPD PepperBall Launcher (sworn personnel) a. PepperBall LIVE -X projectile b. PepperBall LIVE -MAXX projectile c. PepperBall marking projectile 3. Non-IPD (issued to Watch Comma nd) a. OC grenade b. MK-46 c. MK-9 4. Non-IPD (issued to ERT and SWAT) a. OC and CS grenades b. Smoke grenades c. Rubber Ball Blast Grenade d. 40 mm OC and CS Skat Shell e. 40 mm Ferret CS round B. Guidelines for Use 1. Chemical agents may be used when necessary to stop passive resistance (Level 3) or greater when it is encountered . The purpose of the chemical agent is to minimize the potential threat of resistance by the subject. Chemical agents may cause burning, tearing and involuntary closing of the eyes, heavy discharge from the nose, difficulty breathing, disorientation, panic , and uncontrollable sneezing. 2. Personnel