I89

I.89 USE OF FORCE Page 1 of 4 #18//1 7 San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Detention Services Bureau – Manual of Policies and Procedures PURPOSE : To establish guidelines and reporting procedures for Use of Force incidents within the Detention Services Bureau . POLICY : During the c ourse of their official duties, Detention Services Bureau personnel , may use physical force to the extent that is necessary and objectively reasonable to e ffect an arrest, prevent escape, overcome resistance, and maintain or restore order . Personnel sha ll use the Department approved techniques , equipment and tactics in controlling the inmate or incident . DEFINITION: Force is a physical action applied to the body of another to overcome resistance and achieve control or compliance. Force includes the poi nting of any weapon designed to fire a projectile and any incident involving the actual or attempted detention of a subject at gunpoint (defined as holding the barrel of the weapon on target). Serious injury means a serious impairment of physical conditi on, including but not limited to: loss of consciousness, concussion, bone fracture, protracted loss or impairment of function of any bodily member or organ, a wound requiring extensive suturing, and serious disfigurement. The Division of Inspection al Servi ces (DIS) will be notified of all incidents which result in media attention, serious injury , or death . PROCEDURE : If the employee determines that the use of force is necessary, he/she shall use only that force which is necessary and objectively reasonabl e for the situation. Force shall never be used as a form of punishment or discipline. In all circumstances the force used must be consistent with Addendum F. I. REPORTING PROCEDURES A. On every occasion when physical force has been applied to overcome a subject’s resistance, deputies (or other employees involved) must verbally inform their supervisor as soon as practical. This includes the pointing of any defensive devices as outlined in Detention Policy and Procedures Section I.85 . B. Whenever physical force used by a deputy results in a complaint of injury or an injury of a subject, seek immediate medical evaluation and/or treatment, and notify a su pervisor. C. Supervisors will follow up on all complaints of injury to ensure medical treatment was offered and documented. DATE: DECEMBER 2 7, 2018 NUM BER: I.89 SUBJECT: USE OF FORCE RELATED SECTIONS: I.83, I.85, I.91, I.93; SDSD P&P SECTION 6.48 Addendum F, CSB P&P F.14 I.89 USE OF FORCE Page 2 of 4 #18//1 7 C. All deputies (or other employees) involved in the Use of Force incident must clearly articulate in written form in NetRMS all facts surrounding the incident, including: 1. The reason force was used. 2. Type of force used. 3. What were the effects of the use of force? 4. What negative events would have occurred if force were not used? 5. Subsequent action taken by the deputy . 6. Supervisors and/or investigating deputies will interview all identifiable witnesses, including inmates. 7. In all incidents where force is used photographs will be taken of the inmate where force was applied and of any injuries. Photographs of any resulting property damage will also be included. 8. All deputies who witness force resulting in serious bodily injury must document their observations in writing. Professional Staff who witness force resulting in serious bodily injur y shall be interviewed. Whenever possible, interviews will be recorded. Deputies who only witness force not resulting in serious bodily injury will be listed as witnesses in the primary report. 9. The f acility c ommander shall be notified of all dispa rate reports. 10. In addition, a San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Supplemental Use of Force Report (SO -120) will be completed for each incident documenting all force used. Multiple forms will be used if multiple inmates are involved. D. After the u se of any restraint equipment, defensive device, impact weapon or chemical agent upon a subject, a medical evaluation is required and the resulting treatment will be documented in the necessary reports. II. APPROVAL AND FILING OF RECORDS A. Use of force in cidents will be documented in Ne tRMS with supporting documentation, photograph s and video footage . If no footage is available, it will be documented in the narrative of the report. B. All reports documenting the use of force will be reviewed, via the chai n of command, to the level of the facility commander. Supervisor approval entries will be made in NetRMS in the case details. Any supervisor within this chain of command may order that an administrative follow -up be initiated. This order will set forth the degree and nature of follow -up investigation. The approved original of all crime/arrest reports, d eputy's reports , appropriate medical reports, etc., should be processed according to standard I.89 USE OF FORCE Page 3 of 4 #18//1 7 operating procedures in a timely manner and not be withheld pending follow -up investigative reports, or for any other reason. If a follow -up investigation for the use of force is ordered, it may be assigned to detention facility staff, Internal Affairs, or other appropriate investigators. If the investigation is to be assigned to investigators other than detention facility staff, a copy of the assignment request will be routed to the