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Policy 303Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentControl Devices and Techniques - 1Control Devices and Techniques 303.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy provides guidelines for the use and maintenance of control devices described in this policy. 303.2 POLICY In order to control subjects who are violent or who demonstrate the intent to be violent, the Santa Ana Police Department authorizes officers to use control devices in accordance with this policy and the Use of Force Policy. 303.3 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 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 to minimize injuries and unintentional targets. 303.4 RESPONSIBILITIES 303.4.1 WATCH COMMANDER 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. 303.4.2 RANGEMASTER RESPONSIBILITIES The Rangemaster shall control the inventory of kinetic energy projectiles and ensure that all damaged, inoperative, outdated or expended control device launchers or munitions are properly disposed of, repaired or replaced. Every control device launcher will be periodically inspected by the Rangemaster or the designated instructor for a particular control device. The inspection shall be documented. 303.4.3 USER RESPONSIBILITIES All normal maintenance, charging or cleaning shall remain the responsibility of personnel using the various devices. Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Control Devices and Techniques Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana 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 Central Distribution Center 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. 303.5 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. 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. 303.6 TEAR GAS GUIDELINES Tear gas shall only be deployed by members of the SWAT Team who have been trained in its deployment. Tear gas may be used for crowd control, crowd dispersal or against barricaded suspects based on the circumstances. Only the SWAT Commander, with express approval of the Chief of Police, may authorize the delivery and use of tear gas, and only after evaluating all facts and conditions known at the time along with a determination 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 if needed assist in providing medical aid or gas evacuation. 303.7 OLEORESIN CAPSICUM (OC) GUIDELINES As with other control devices, oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray may be used to bring an individual(s) who are engaging in, or are about to engage in violent behavior under control. 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. 303.7.1 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. 303.7.2 PEPPER PROJECTILE SYSTEMS Pepper projectiles shall only be deployed by SWAT Team members trained to deploy the munitions. Pepper projectiles are plastic spheres filled with a derivative of OC powder. Because the compressed gas launcher delivers the projectiles with enough force to burst the projectiles on Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Control Devices and Techniques Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/26, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentControl Devices and Techniques - 3impact and release the OC powder, the potential exists for the projectiles to inflict injury if they strike the head, neck, spine, or groin. Therefore, personnel using a pepper projectile system should not intentionally target those areas except when the officer reasonably believes the suspect poses an imminent threat of serious bodily