Policy Text
Policy
302San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentControl Devices and Techniques - 1Control Devices and Techniques
302.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines for the use and maintenance of control devices that are described
in this policy.
302.2 POLICY
In order to control subjects who are violent or who demonstrate the intent to be violent, the San
Luis Obispo Police Department authorizes officers to use control devices in accordance with the
guidelines in this policy and the Use of Force Policy.
302.3 ISSUING, CARRYING AND USING CONTROL DEVICES
Control devices described in this policy may be carried and used by members of this department
only if the device has been issued by the Department or approved by the Chief of Police or the
authorized designee.
Only officers who have successfully completed department-approved training in the use of any
control device are authorized to carry and use the device.
Control devices may be used when a decision has been made to control, restrain or arrest a
subject who is violent or who demonstrates the intent to be violent, and the use of the device
appears reasonable under the circumstances. When reasonable, a verbal warning and opportunity
to comply should precede the use of these devices.
When using control devices, officers should carefully consider potential impact areas in order to
minimize injuries and unintentional targets.
302.4 RESPONSIBILITIES
302.4.1 WATCHCOMMANDER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Watch Commander may authorize the use of a control device by selected personnel or
members of specialized units who have successfully completed the required training.
302.4.2 RANGEMASTER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Rangemaster shall control the inventory and issuance of all control devices and shall ensure
that all damaged, inoperative, outdated or expended control devices or munitions are properly
disposed of, repaired or replaced.
Every control device will be periodically inspected by the Rangemaster or the designated instructor
for a particular control device. The inspection shall be documented.
302.4.3 USER RESPONSIBILITIES
All normal maintenance, charging or cleaning shall remain the responsibility of personnel using
the various devices.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Control Devices and Techniques
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentControl Devices and Techniques - 2Any damaged, inoperative, outdated or expended control devices or munitions, along with
documentation explaining the cause of the damage, shall be returned to the Rangemaster for
disposition. Damage to City property forms shall also be prepared and forwarded through the
chain of command, when appropriate, explaining the cause of damage.
302.5 BATON GUIDELINES
The need to immediately control a suspect must be weighed against the risk of causing serious
injury. The head, neck, throat, spine, heart, kidneys and groin should not be intentionally targeted
except when the officer reasonably believes the suspect poses an imminent threat of serious
bodily injury or death to the officer or others.
When carrying a baton, uniformed personnel shall carry the baton in its authorized holder on the
equipment belt or an approved uniform patrol vest. Plainclothes and non-field personnel may carry
the baton as authorized and in accordance with the needs of their assignment or at the direction
of their supervisor. While an officer is patrolling in a department vehicle the baton may be stowed
inside the vehicle. All department authorized batons must be a minimum of 24 inches in length.
302.6 TEAR GAS GUIDELINES
Tear gas may be used for crowd control, crowd dispersal or against barricaded suspects based on
the circumstances. Chemical agents for crowd control purposes shall only be deployed by officers
who have received POST training for crowd control if the use is objectively reasonable to defend
against a threat to life or serious bodily injury to any individual, including an officer, or to bring
an objectively dangerous and unlawful situation safely and effectively under control (Penal Code
§ 13652).Only the Watch Commander, Incident Commander or SWAT Team Commander may
authorize the delivery and use of tear gas, and only after evaluating all conditions known at the
time and determining that such force reasonably appears justified and necessary.
When practicable, fire personnel should be alerted or summoned to the scene prior to the
deployment of tear gas to control any fires and to assist in providing medical aid or gas evacuation
if needed.
302.7 OLEORESIN CAPSICUM (OC) GUIDELINES
As with other control devices, oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray and pepper projectiles may be
considered when objectively reasonable to defend against a threat to life or serious bodily injury
to any individual, including an officer, or to bring an objectively dangerous and unlawful situation
safely and effectively under control (Penal Code § 13652). Pepper projectiles and OC spray
should not, however, be used against individuals or groups who merely fail to disperse or do not
reasonably appear to present a risk to the safety of officers or the public.
302.7.1 OC SPRAY
Uniformed personnel carrying OC spray shall carry the device in its holster on the equipment belt.
Plainclothes and non-field personnel may carry OC spray as authorized, in accordance with the
needs of their assignment or at the direction of their supervisor.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Control