Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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4.3 Use of Force
4.3.6 Less -Lethal Weapons (Revised: 12/15/25 )
INTERIM POLICY
To successfully respond to situations requiring justifiable use of reasonable force and
minimize risk to the public and the officer(s) involved, specific less -lethal weapons are
authorized for use by police officers. Where lethal force is not authorized, officers should
assess the circumstances in order to determine which less -lethal technique or weapon will
safely deescalate the incident and bring it under control in a safe manner.
The authorized less -lethal weapons are OC, impact weapons (i.e., batons) and kinetic
energy projectile delivery systems. These weapons are not listed in any intended order of
use. The Chief of Police may designate by General Order additional less -lethal weapons
authorized for use by Police Department members.
A. Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) (Refer additionally to G O 4.3.20 , “Chemical Agents ”)
1. Uniformed patrol officers shall carry a container of Police Department First
Defense MK -3 or MK -4 OC pepper spray while on duty. The Equipment
Officer shall record the issuance on the officer’s Issued Equipment Form.
First Defense MK -9 Magnum OC may be car ried by personnel during
crowd control situations as assigned by the Incident Commander.
2. OC shall only be used when a suspect is not under physical control and
he/she poses an immediate threat of inflicting injury upon an officer, a
citizen or him/hers elf.
3. OC shall not be discharged into an enclosed area unless the ability to enter
and remove any person who may be incapacitated exists.
4. An arresting officer will, within a reasonable period of time, provide the
opportunity for any person exposed to OC to thoroughly flush affected parts
of the body with water.
5. OC may be used on an animal as a deterrent to aggressive behavior when it
poses an immediate threat of inflicting injury to an officer or others.
B. Impact Weapons
1. Uniformed patrol o fficers will be issued a 26” expandable or wooden
straight baton and a 36” riot baton. The Equipment Officer shall record the
issuance on the officer’s Issued Equipment Form.
2. When carrying a baton, uniformed personnel shall carry the baton in its
author ized holder. Plainclothes and non -field personnel may carry the baton
as authorized and in accordance with the needs of their assignment or at the
direction of their supervisor.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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3. The need to immediately control a suspect must be weighed against the risk
of cau sing serious injury. The head, neck, throat, spine, heart, kidneys and
groin should not be intentionally targeted except when the officer
reasonably believes the suspect poses an immediate threat of serious bodily
injury or death to the officer or ot hers.
4. During crowd control situations, subjects may be encountered who refuse
to disperse or respond to verbal directions. When confronted with this type
of behavior, officers may use the baton as a pushing instrument to gain
compliance. It may also be used as an impact weapon depending on the
degree of active resistance or assaultive resistance demonstrated by the
subject. Under both circumstances, officers shall use only that amount of
force that is objectively reasonable, and verbalization of commands should
continue throughout this situation.
C. Kinetic Energy Projectile Delivery Systems
Projectile devices may de -escalate a dangerous or potentially deadly situation and
may compel an individual to cease their actions when such projectile devices
present a reasonable option, as described below.
Only approved impact projectile devices shall be carried and deployed. The
Department -approved kinetic energy projectile delivery system is the FN 303 or
the Defense Tech Federal Lab 40 mm launcher.
1. Use of Projectile Devices
a. Officers are not required or compelled to use projectile devices in
lieu of other reasonable tactics if the involved officer determines
that deployment of these munitions cannot be done safely. The
safety of hostages, innocent persons and officers takes priority over
the safety of subjects engaged in criminal or suicidal behavior.
b. Circumstances appropriate for deployment include, but are not
limited to, situations in which:
(1) The suspect is armed with a w eapon and the tactical
circumstances allow for proper application of approved
munitions
(2) The suspect has made credible threats to harm themselves or
others
(3) The suspect is engaged in aggressive or violent behavior, or
is throwing rocks, bottles or ot her dangerous projectiles at
people and/or officers
(4) In crowd control situations when the Chief of Police,
Incident Commander or designee authorizes the delivery and
use of the device.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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2. Projectiles
a. FN 303: 18 mm ( 0.68”), 8.56 g projectile with fin -stabilized
polystyrene body, non -toxic bismuth and washable pain t.
b. Defense Tech 40 mm Launcher: 40 mm eXact iMpact (sponge) and
bean bag round .
3. Deployment Considerations
a. Officers will inspect the delivery system and impact projectiles
assigned to them before use to ensure that the device is in proper
working order, and that the impact projectiles are of the approved
type and appear to be free from defects.
b. When it is not deployed, the