291741

Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/12/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Chemical Immobilization - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Chemical Immobilization 811.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The role of Animal Control personnel includes promoting the health, safety, and welfare of animals and the community. Given the nature of the profession, Animal Control personnel may be placed in situations where the deployment of chemical immobilization equipment may be the best course of action to protect the public from animals that present a serious risk of harm or to protect the animal itself. The use of chemical agents to immobilize an animal typically involves the use of anesthetic drugs. Drugs may be delivered through a pole syringe, a tranqu ilizer gun, or a blowpipe. Only specially trained staff maybe authorized to use the tranquilizer gun or blowpipe. 811.2 POLICY The Department authorizes the use of chemical immobilization only after diligent consideration and careful evaluation of all available resources by Animal Control personnel and sworn supervision. When considering chemical immobilization, Animal Control personnel and sworn supervision should assess the risks involved, including death of the animal and loss of narcotics contained in the da rt. When applicable, Animal Control personnel shall consider the use of alternative equipment prior to the use of a tranquilizer gun or blowpipe, these may include a pole syringe, a control stick, netting device or specialized grabbers. 811.3 QUALIFICATIONS Animal Control personnel who have successfully completed the training required by law and Department policy may be authorized to use the tranquilizer gun or blowpipe during the course of their duties and within the scope of their employment. In accordance with state law (Penal Code § 597.1, Penal Code § 830.9 and § 832, and Penal Code § 12580 - § 12583), Department personnel must complete the mandated training requirements prior to carrying the tranquilizer gun and equipment: A. Training in the administration of tranquilizers from a licensed veterinarian. The training shall be approved by the California Veterinary Medical Board. B. Completion of a firearms component course relating to the exercise of police powers, as set forth in Penal Code § 832. C. Receive authorizat ion by his or her agency to possess and administer the tranquilizer in accordance with a policy established by the agency and approved by veterinarian who obtained the controlled substance. D. Successfully completed the euthanasia training set forth in Sectio n 2039 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations. Policy 811 Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/12/19, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Chemical Immobilization - 2 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Chemical Immobilization E. Complete a state and federal fingerprinting background check and does not have any drug- or alcohol -related convictions. F. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of tranquilizer gun and related equipment per the standard set by the Department Rangemast er or designee 811.4 EQUIPMENT, NARCOTICS, AND STORAGE The Animal Control Unit will maintain a secure and locked armory to store tranquilizer equipment, which shall include: • Tranquilizer “rifle” gun • Tranquilizer “pistol” gun • Tranquilizer blow pipe • Darts and related equipment. Narcotics shall be stored in a secure safe. When feasible, narcotics shall be transported into the field in an appropriate storage container. These guns also utilize specially designed low impact syringes that are made to dispense the drug and not stay attached to the animal. Efforts should always be made to find the dispensed dart(s) after any discharge. A tranquilizer gun will be kept unloaded and should not be taken and discharged in the field without approval from Animal Control Sup ervision and/or sworn supervisory personnel. 811.5 USE OF TRANQUILIZER GUN Because of its inherent dangers and complexities, chemical capture should not be used except after alternative methods have been considered. Factors to carefully consider before the use of chemical capture include but are not limited to the following: location, back drop, escape route, health of the animal, and need to intervene. When dealing with highly dangerous wildlife, the Department of Fish and Wildlife should be contacted as soon a s circumstances permit. Fish and Wildlife Wardens can be reached through California State Park Dispatch at (951) 443 -2943. The deployment of the tranquilizer gun may be deployed under the following circumstances with approval from Animal Control and/or Sw orn supervisory personnel: A. To immobilize an animal that personnel have a reasonable cause to believe presents substantial risk of imminent harm to a person, or has recently harmed a person. B. To immobilize an animal that Department personnel has reasonable c ause to believe is suffering from or afflicted with a serious illness or severe injury, when the animal is in a location that poses additional danger to public safety and other efforts are deemed inappropriate, ineffective and unsafe. C. To immobilize an animal that the officer has reasonable cause to