Policy Text
GENERAL ORDER #12.00 1 (HIGH LIABILITY)
USE OF FORCE
GENERAL ORDER #12.00
Adopted: 07/07/2010 Updated: 06/10/2022
Replaces: G.O. # 12.00 updated 01/15/2021 Reviewed: 06/10/2022
Number of Pages: 1 5 Distribution: Unrestricted
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POLICY
The authority of deputies to use physical force i s a serious responsibility . The decision to use
physical force must be evaluated in a manner that reflects the gravity of that authority and the
serious consequences of the use of force by peace officers, in order to ensure that deputies use
force consistent with law and the policies of the Office of the Sheriff (“Sheriff’s Office”) .
Deputies shall use only force which is necessary , given the facts and circumstances known to the
deputy at the time of the event, to bring an incident under control . Every reasonable effort to de-
escalate an uncooperative or actively resisting subject shall be made when feasible prior to the use
of force. Emergency medical attention shall be provided to any person who sustains any injury
requiring medical attention or loss of consciousness resulting from a deputy’s use of force. All
sections of this policy apply to off -duty conduct involving the use of force when, though off -duty,
a deputy is acting as a sworn peace officer and acting in that capacity to uphold the law. The
authority to use force shall be exercised judiciously with respect for human rights, dignity , and life
in a fair and unbiased manner without prejudice to anyone.
This policy applies to all sworn staff of the Sheriff’s Office, and reference to “ deputy” or
“deputies” throughout this policy refer s to all sworn staff . Custody Bureau personnel shall refer
to applicable Custody Bureau Policies and Procedures that govern the use of force within
county correctional facilities.
GENERAL ORDER #12.00 2 (HIGH LIABILITY) PROCEDURE
A. DEFINITIONS
Deadly Force: Any use of force that creates a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily
injury, including, but not limited to, the discharge of a firearm.
De-escalation Techniques: Actions used by deputies, when safe and feasible without
compromising law -enforcement priorities, that seek to minimize the likelihood of the need to use
force during an incident and increase the likelihood of gaining voluntary compliance from a
subject.
De-escalation: The process of using strategies and techniques intended to decrease the intensity of
the situation.
Feasible: Reasonably capable of being done or carried out under the circumstances to successfully
achieve the arrest or lawful objective without increasing risk t o the officer or another person.
Imminent : Pursuant to California Penal Code § 835a(e)(2), "[A] threat of death or serious bodily
injury is ‘imminent ’ when, based on the totality of the circumstances, a reasonable officer in the
same situation would believe that a person has the present ability, opportunity, and apparent intent
to immediately cause death or serious bodily injury to the peace officer or another person. An
imminent harm is not merely a fear of future harm, no matter how great the fear and no matter how
great the likelihood of the harm, but is one that, from appearances, must be instantly confronted
and addressed."
Intercede: Includes, but is not limited to: (1) physically stopping the excessive use of force; (2)
recording the excessive force, if equipped with a body -worn camera, and documenting efforts to
intervene; (3) attempting to de -escalate the offending deputy’s excessive use of force; (4)
confronting the offending officer about the excessive force during the use of force and (5) reporting
to dispatch or watch commander /supervisor on duty with the offending deputy’s name, unit,
location, time, and situation .
Necessary Force: Force is necessary if (1) other available resources and techniques are not
reasonably safe or feasible to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose and (2) the amount
of force used to accomplish the law enforcement purpose is reasonable in light of the totality of
the circumstances known to or perceived by the deputy at the time of the event.
Positional Asphyxia: Situating a person in a manner that compresses their airway and reduces the
ability to sustain adequate breathing. This includes, without limitation, the use of any physical
restraint that causes a person’s respiratory airway to be compressed or impairs the person’s
breathing or respiratory capacity, including any action in which pressure or body weight is
unreasonably appl ied against a restrained person’s neck, torso, or back, or positioning a restrained
person without reasonable monitoring for signs of asphyxia .
GENERAL ORDER #12.00 3 (HIGH LIABILITY) Proportional: To be proportional, the level of force applied must reflect the totality of
circumstances surrounding the situati on at hand, including the nature and immediacy of any threats
posed to deputies and others. Deputies must rely on training, experience, and assessment of the
situation to decide an appropriate level of force to be applied. Reasonable and sound judgment wil l
dictate the force option to be employed. Proportional force does not require deputies to use the
same type or amount of force as the subject. The more immediate the threat and the more likely
that the threat will result in death or serious bodily injury, the greater the level of force that may