Policy Text
Page 1 of 2 2/ 08 (REV 5/18)
Use of Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.)
The purpose of this General Order is to provide the policy and procedures for use of
Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) by swo rn and non-sworn members of thi s Department.
I. Authorized Use
A. O.C. is a defensive instrument , giving the officer an altern ate choice
among their other defensive wea pons such as t he baton and firea rm.
B. O.C. is to be used only in thos e emergency situations where the statutes
allow an officer to use necessa ry and reasonable force; for exa mple,
where the officer is physicall y attacked or encountering violen t resistance.
However, once a subject has been subdued and is under control, he or
she shall not be subj ected to further app lication of O.C.
C. The use of O.C. in a riot or civil disorder situation must b e authorized by
the Incident Commander. However, such prior approval is not req uired in
an extreme emergency si tuation that dictate s the necessity for immediate
action.
D. O.C. canisters should be test ed periodically to ensure the p ropellant has
not dissipated, thereby rendering the devises ineffective. The test shall be
conducted in an open air area, awa y from buildings, personal pr operty,
and other individuals. To test th e propellant, an officer shal l operate the
O.C. canister for the minimum per iod necessary to determine tha t there
still is a propellant charge. It is further recommended that O .C. canisters
be shaken occasionally to mix the active ingredients. It is re commended
O.C. canisters be replaced when t he date on the c anister is exp ired.
II. First Aid after Use of O.C.
A. Adequate first aid consists o f applying cool water to the co ntaminated
area. Ointments or warm water should not be applied, because t hey may
increase the local irritation.
B. Once a subject is in custody /control, he or she shall be giv en first aid
within 30 minutes from the time h e or she was subjected to the O.C. If this
is not practical, first aid shall be administered at the first available
opportunity.
Page 2 of 2 2/ 08 (REV 5/18) C. If the first aid treatment f ails to bring relief, arrangemen ts shall be made to
provide the subject with medical care.
III. Reporting
A. . A casualty report is not r equired for Department personnel who have
received an application of O .C. in a training exercise.
B. Officers using O.C. shall immediately (or as soon as practic al) notify their
immediate supervisor.
C. Following civil disobedienc e operations, the Incident Comma nder shall
include any informat ion concerning the us e of O.C. as a part of a summary
report.
D. Any Application of Force or Use of Deadly Force , as described in sections II.B
and II.C of Appendix A of General O rder 2/11, against any perso n by an
employee of this Depar tment (sworn or non- sworn) shall be docum ented
utilizing an AFR incident report which may include, but is not limited to, a
crime/arrest report, a casualty report, a 5150 report, or an in formation report.
1. Exception- AFR doc umentation is not requi red for the use of
control/compliance holds, handcu ffs, shackles, o r other restrai nt
devices when used to restrain per sons for security or transport ation
purposes unless the applicati on resulted in an apparent or repo rted
injury
2. In no circumstance will a standalone supplemental report be
sufficient to document a use of fo rce, an Application of Force, or
Use of Deadly Force.
Related Orders : General O rder 2/11 Use of Force Policy
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