I07 (Revised)

I.7 RIOT AND DISORDER POLICY Page 1 of 3 #18//0 4 San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Detention Services Bureau – Manual of Policies and Procedures PURPOSE: To establish criteria by which riots or disorders are quelled and control re -established. POLICY: All detentions personnel will be constantly alert for any pre -indications of possible unrest within the facility that could result in a riot or disorder. This information is to be relayed to the watch commander for resolution to preclude such action, if possible. If spontaneous actions by i nmates occur or if resolution has not been successful and a riot or disorder occurs within a detention facility, the goal will be quelling of the disorder in the most expeditious manner possible while protecting life and property of staff and inmates. Pres ervation of life shall be the first concern during such situations. This policy will be reviewed annually. PROCEDURE: I. RIOT AND DISORDER DEFINED A. Riotous Situations: A condition of riot may exist in the event of two or more inmates assaulting any of ficial, destroying county property, banding together to resist authority, refusing to return to housing units or any covert act which would be detrimental to the orderly routine of the jail. (PC § 404 (a) and (b)). B. Riots Assume Various Forms: Some are spontaneous, triggered by an incident after an accumulation of tension in the jail. Others are race riots and gang fights. Other riotous situations may be found to be a reflection of the prevalence of violent protest in the free community. II. PLAN OF ACT ION A. Priorities: This policy will be executed in the most expedient manner possible , realizing that priorities will be given in the following order: 1. General public safety 2. Safety of all hostages 3. Safety of all other personnel 4. Inmate welfare and safety 5. Protection of property 6. To restore order and control 7. Identification, arrest and legal prosecution DATE: JUNE 7 , 2018 NUMBER: I.7 SUBJECT: RIOT AND DISORDER POLICY RELATED SECTIONS: I.32, Addendum F, 404 P.C. I.7 RIOT AND DISORDER POLICY Page 2 of 3 #18//0 4 B. Communication: 1. The Alarm: Immediate communication by staff members observing a riotous disturbance should be made to the control deputy who will notify the watch commander and supervisor responsible for the affected area. The supervisor will activate response to the disturbance. A first -line sworn supervisor, usually the sergeant, will direct pre -selected staff to the scene. Once a ri otous condition has been confirmed, the watch commander will notify the Communications Center, facility commander and the detention facility operations commander. 2. C. Establishment of Control: 1. The final objective of all action is to restore order with as little injury to persons and property as possible, and to achieve complete control over all facility activity. As conditions permit, every effort must be exercised to determine inmate riot leaders, and all other inmates who riot, or incite to riot. Additionally, any other criminal offenses will be documented for possible criminal prosecution. 2. Inmates, who are seemingly unwilling to participate, will be given opportunity to leave the riot area, and when possible returned to their housing units. Control is established when hostages, if any, are released, rioters quelled, and all involved inmates are locked -down under guard. 3. Nervous tension of both inmates and personnel will be a delicate state for sometime after a major disturbance. The sooner a relatively normal atmosphere can be restored, the better. A detailed investigation of the occurrence will be made via interrogation of inmates and staff participants , and through a thorough inspection of the facility to determine the extent of damages. A photographic record of the damage will be made before making immediate repairs; and all reports shall be submitted to the facility commander via the chain of command. Most of the work and other programs may be suspended for a brief time. 4. If actual suspension of Title 15 Minimum Standards occurs, and lasts longer than three (3) days, a writ ten report to the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) is required. If suspension of standards lasts beyond 15 days, it will be necessary to obtain written approval from the chairman of the BSCC . Isolation of the actual ringleaders and segregati on of others on grounds of circumstantial suspicion will remove the focal points of agitation from the rest of the inmate I.7 RIOT AND DISORDER POLICY Page 3 of 3 #18//0 4 group and lower the emotional temperature. Just as soon as it seems safe to do so, the return to work can begin with the objective of restoring the whole institution to normal. III. USE OF FORCE Conditions for Use of Firearms: Only that force deemed necessary and objectively reasonable to restore order will be employed. Condition for use of firearms and physical force are to be determi ned by factual circumstances of occurrence to protect persons from death or serious bodily injury and only when authorized by the facility commander or designee . Firearms and gas equipment may be utilized only where there is an immediate threat to life and there is insufficient time to secure the services of the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED).