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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/12/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Bite Stick - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Bite Stick 810.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy will provide guidelines for Animal Control Officers (ACO) to carry and deploy a “bite stick,” which is a type of baton specifically used for protection against dangerous animals. Animal Control Officers are authorized to carry a Department -issued, collapsible baton for the specific purpose of protection against dangerous animals that are an immediate threat toward the Animal Control Officer or others. Animal Control Officers shall adhere to the Department’s Use of Force policy and existing law when considering the deployment of the bite stick against another person. 810.2 AUTHORIZED BITE STICK The following bite stick is authorized for carry by Animal Control Officers: • Black 26” ASP baton The bite stick shall only be carried by Animal Control Officers while on -duty. Animal Control Officers issued bi te sticks shall be required to carry the bite stick whenever conducting official field duties. The bite sticks shall be carried within a holder and attached to a duty belt. Bite stick shall not be modified in any way. Animal Control Officers shall only carry the type of bite stick with which they have been properly trained. 810.3 QUALIFICATIONS Only those Animal Control Officers who have successfully completed the following Department - approved training may carry bite sticks: • Section 832 of the California Penal Code Powers of Arrest • CA POST impact weapon course • Bite stick application training • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Department’s Use of Force policy In addition, Animal Control Officers shall comply with the baton training requirements pursuant to the Department’s Control Devices and Techniques policy. 810.4 USE OF BITE STICK Animal Control Officers may use Department -issued bite sticks in the performance of their duties.Policy 810 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/12/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Bite Stick - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Bite Stick The bite stick may be used as a defensive control weapon to deter or control a dangerous animal that threatens the safety of an Animal Control Officer or other person. There is no requirement an Animal Control Officer be bitten or injured by an animal before utilizing the bite stick. The decision to use force against an animal should be objectively reasonable under the circumstances. Animal Control Officer s should use only the amount of force necessary to gain control of the animal and stop or prevent any threat of safety to the officer or others. 810.5 DOCUMENTATION Any application of a bite stick against an animal shall be documented by the Animal Control Officer in a miscellaneous report and notification shall be made to the Animal Control Officer’s supervisor. Any application of a bite stick against another person shall be documented in a Use of Force report in addition to any other appropriate report fo rms and notification shall be made to the on - duty, sworn supervisor. 810.6 MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS Any Animal Control Officer who uses the bite stick against an animal shall ensure the animal receives proper medical attention as soon as possible after the incident. Animal Control personnel shall make a reasonable effort to locate and capture the injured animal in the event the animal flees. In accordance with the Department’s Use of Force policy, if the bite stick is used against another person, the Animal Cont rol Officer shall obtain medical assistance for the individual. Any individual exhibiting signs of physical distress after an encounter should be continuously monitored until he/ she can be medically assessed. 810.7 STORAGE AND SECURITY Bite sticks shall not be left unattended in vehicles or anywhere within the workplace. Bite sticks may not be taken into the jail. Bite sticks shall not be taken home, nor transported in the personal vehicles of employees unless in transit to a Department -approved training location. Animal Control Officers shall secure bite sticks in their assigned lockers at the end of watch. 810.8 TRAINING The Animal Control Supervisor and Training Sergeant shall ensure that all Animal Control personnel who are authorized to carry a bite stick have been properly trained and certified to carry the specific bite stick and are retrained or recertified as necessary. (a) Proficiency training shall be monitored and documented by a certified, control-device weapons or defensive tactics instructor. (b) All training and proficiency will be documented in the Animal Control Officer’s training file. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/12/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Bite Stick - 3 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Bite Stick (c) Animal Control Officers who fail to demonstrate proficiency with the bite stick or knowledge of this agency’s Use of Force policy will be provided remedial training. If the Animal Control Officer cannot demonstrate proficiency with the bite stick or knowledge of this agency’s Use of Force Policy after remed