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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: March 7, 2024 Amends - GO 8.1.2 (August 10, 2021 ) Number: 8.1.2 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: March Reviewing Authority: HRD / Training Subject: Electronic Control Devices – (Taser 7) This order consists of the following : 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide deputies with guidance and direction on the use of electronic control devices . 2. Policy It is the policy of th e agency that personnel performing official duties shall comply with applicable law, and specifically F ourth Amendment standards, by using a level of force that is objectively reasonable in light of the surrounding facts and circumstances . Courts examine the factors announced by the U.S. Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor to determine whether the use of force was objectively reasonable. A deputy must consider the following factors when deploying an Electronic Control Device (ECD): (a) the severity of the alleged crime at issue; (b) wh ether the suspect poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others; and (c) whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight. ECD’s have been proven effective and are authorized for use in appropriate circumstances by trained personnel. 3. Definitions A. Active Physical Resistance - slight to moderate physical harm: a subject makes physically evasive movements to defeat a deputy’s atte mpt at control. This may be in the form of bracing or tensing, attempts to push/pull away or not allowing the deputy to get close to him/her. B. Aggressive Physical Resistance – moderate physical harm: a subject makes overt, hostile, attacking movements whi ch may cause injury, but are not likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the deputy or others. C. Anti-Felon Identification Device (AFID) – An “AFID” contains an alpha numeric identifier unique to the specific cartridge used. D. ARC Warning – Prior to cartridge deployment, users can utilize the ARC switch on their ECD to initiate a momentary warning arc. This procedure does not d eploy the probes. An ARC warning can be utilized in conjunction with a verbal Taser warning in an effor t to deescalate the situation and gain compliance without probe 8.1.2, Page 2 of 17 deployment. E. Close Quarters Cartridges (CQ) – Taser 7 ECD cartridges engineered with 12 degrees probe spread designed to achieve desirable ECD effects at a range four feet to twelve feet. F. Critical ECD Incident – When an ECD is deployed on a Person in Crisis , or when the subject sustains serious/critical injuries or experiences a serious/critical health condition resulting from an ECD deployment and the subject is transported to the hospital, o r when the subject dies. G. Drive Stun – pressing the ECD against a target without the deployment of probes using the ARC switch. This procedure does not involve neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) and only involves pain compliance. H. Drive Stun Follow Up – when probe deployment is at close range and does not accomplish neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI), secondary probes should be relocated at a greater distance and redeployed. I. Electronic Control Device (ECD) - A device designed to disrupt a subject’s sensory nervous and motor nervous system s by means of deploying battery powered electrical energy sufficient to cause uncontrolled muscle contractions and override an individual’s voluntary motor responses. This does not in clude the Electronic Restraint System (ERS) . J. Functional Test Mode – A software mode that conducts an internal diagnostic and spark test , accomplished by pressing both ARC switch buttons prior to activating. K. Neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) – an involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves which may interfere with an individual ’s ability to utilize the affected muscles . L. Passive Physical Resistance – slight physical harm: A subject 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 use a chemical agent to establish control. M. Securing Under Power – A technique used to secure a subject during the activation cycle , as instructed through training . N. Standoff cartridges (SD) – Taser 7 ECD cartridges engineered with 3.5 degrees probe spread designed to achieve desirable ECD effects at a range between eleven feet to twenty feet. O. Training ECD Instructors - authorized agency members who have received advanced ECD training and are certified by the manufacturer of the agency -issued ECD. They are authorized to inspect, conduct minor repairs, download an ECD, and can teach agency ECD us er courses. They possess specialized training and experience pertaining to the ECD. 8.1.2, Page 3 of 17 P. Training Master ECD Instructors - authorized agency members who have received advanced ECD training and are certified by the manufacturer of the agency -issued ECD. They are authorized to inspect, conduct minor repairs, download an ECD, and can teach agency ECD user and instructor courses. They possess specialized