15-06 Less Lethal Shotguns

Question 1

What is the Rationale?

Answer 1

Only police officers qualified by the Toronto Police College (TPC) – Armament Section SHALL be permitted to operate the less lethal shotgun.
The less lethal shotgun is an intermediate extended range impact weapon which may provide the opportunity for police officers to resolve potentially violent situations at a greater distance with less potential for causing serious bodily harm or death than other use of force options.
Impact munitions operate on the premise of pain compliance or incapacitation, so that the control of the subject can be established.

Question 2

Supervision

Answer 2

 Supervisory Officer attendance mandatory when less lethal shotgun is discharged
 Supervisory Officer notification mandatory when less lethal shotgun is discharged
 Officer in Charge notification mandatory when equipment is missing, damaged or malfunctioning
 Officer in Charge of Division of occurrence notification mandatory when less lethal shotgun is discharged
 Duty Senior Officer notification mandatory when less lethal shotgun is discharged
 Toronto Police Operations Centre ( TPOC ) notification mandatory when less lethal shotgun is discharged
 Firearm Discharge Investigator (FDI) notification mandatory when less lethal shotgun is discharged

Question 3

Procedure - Only police officers qualified by the_______ to use less lethal shotguns SHALL be allowed to use this equipment. In addition to this Procedure, officers SHALL comply with Procedure 15-03. In all cases of less lethal shotgun discharges, officers SHALL also comply with the applicable sections of Procedure 15–01 and 13–16.

Answer 3

Toronto Police College (TPC) – Armament Section (Armament Section)

Question 4

Procedure - In the case of an_____, the officer will be deemed not qualified to use the less lethal shotgun until

Answer 4

accidental or negligent discharge

remedial training is successfully completed and the officer is subsequently re-qualified by a member of the Armament Section.

Question 5

Use of a Less Lethal Shotgun - Police officers may use a less lethal shotgun as a force option

Answer 5

 to prevent from being overpowered when violently attacked
 to prevent a prisoner from being taken from police custody
 to disarm an apparently dangerous person armed with an offensive weapon
 to control a potentially violent situation when other use of force options are not viable
 for any other lawful and justifiable purpose.

Question 6

Use of a Less Lethal Shotgun - Members are encouraged to consider The Ontario Use of Force Model (Model) in the continuous assessment in every situation. The Model can aid members to understand the _____________. Members are reminded that the Model is not intended to be a justification for a member’s use of force but can provide officers with a ___________ of an incident related to the member’s use of force.

Answer 6

application of various force options in response to potentially violent situations

valuable framework for understanding and articulating the events

Question 7

Use of a Less Lethal Shotgun - The less lethal shotgun is a weapon designed to aid officers in gaining control of a subject who is ________. In certain situations, the less lethal shotgun may be a viable option against subjects who pose a threat of

Answer 7

assaultive

imminent serious bodily harm or death, including suicide threats or attempts.

Question 8

Use of a Less Lethal Shotgun - The less lethal shotgun may be ineffective on subjects who are dressed in

Answer 8

heavy clothing or shield themselves with items found in various environments. Officers may need to alter their use of force options proportionately.

Question 9

Use of a Less Lethal Shotgun - The less lethal shotgun should not be used on __________, except in situations where other use of force options would have the potential to cause greater injury.

Answer 9

children, pregnant women or the elderly

Question 10

Safeguards - It is critical that Less Lethal Shotguns are not confused with conventional shotguns. The Toronto Police Service (Service) has established the following safeguards to prevent unintended injuries or death that may result from such confusion:

Answer 10

1. Less lethal shotguns are clearly identifiable by their orange stocks and fore-ends, as well as the writing “Less Lethal” on the stock.
2. Less lethal shotguns and associated ammunition SHALL be stored in a designated storage container at the unit.
3. No conventional shotguns or any other types of shotgun ammunition, including “00” buckshot or rifled slug rounds SHALL be stored in the less lethal shotgun storage container.
4. Less lethal shotguns will only be transported in a designated orange bag.
5. Ammunition for conventional shotguns SHALL not be carried in the designated orange bags.
6. Conventional shotguns SHALL not be transported in the orange bags designated for less lethal shotguns.
7. Officers assigned with a less lethal shotgun SHALL not be simultaneously assigned a conventional shotgun.
   xvii. Two officer cars SHALL not be assigned both a lethal and less-lethal shotgun.
   Due to the methods of loading, carrying, storage, etc. used for less lethal shotguns; they should not be loaded, unloaded, and proven safe inside a Service facility.

Question 11

Less Lethal Shotgun Discharges - If a less lethal shotgun is discharged, the member SHALL comply with

Answer 11

Procedure 13–16.

Question 12

Less Lethal Shotgun Storage - Less lethal shotguns and associated ammunition SHALL be stored in a

Answer 12

designated storage container at the unit. Officers SHALL not store any conventional shotguns or any other types of shotgun ammunition, including “00” buckshot or rifled slug rounds in the less lethal shotgun storage container.

Question 13

Police Officer - When assigned to use a less lethal shotgun SHALL

Answer 13

 be qualified by the Armament Section to use less lethal shotguns
 take custody of the less lethal shotgun and designated orange bag
 prove the less lethal shotgun safe and perform a function check in accordance with training
 comply with Procedures 15-03 and 15–15
 administratively load the less lethal shotgun with 4 CTS-2581 “super-sock” rounds in the tubular magazine and 6 CTS-2581 “super-sock” rounds in the side saddle
 ensure the designated orange bag contains only 10 CTS-2581 “super-sock” ammunition
 not be simultaneously assigned a conventional shotgun
 not carry or load any other type of shotgun ammunition in the less lethal shotgun
 not chamber any rounds when transporting the weapon
 if a round is chambered during the course of an event, unload and reload the weapon in a safe area in accordance with training and secure accordingly
 transport the less lethal shotgun to and from the vehicle in accordance with training
 report deficiencies to the Officer in Charge, immediately upon discovering any unsatisfactory equipment
 return the less lethal shotgun to the unit at the completion of the tour of duty, and store in the designated storage container

Question 14

Police Officer - When assigned to a marked police vehicle not equipped with an electric mount SHALL

Answer 14

 store the less lethal shotgun in the designated orange bag or approved trunk mount
 store the designated orange bag in the locked trunk

Question 15

Police Officer - When assigned to a police vehicle with an electric mount SHALL

Answer 15

 activate the “master electric switch”
 ensure the indicator light is displayed
 press the designated button on the dashboard
 test the manual key override feature
 when the test sequence has been completed, secure the less lethal shotgun within the mount
 secure the designated orange bag in the vehicle trunk
 turn off the “master electric switch” and ignition to ensure the security of the less lethal shotgun, whenever the vehicle is left unattended

Question 16

Police Officer - When assigned both a less lethal shotgun and a C-8 rifle SHALL

Answer 16

 be assigned to a police vehicle equipped with an electric mount
 mount the C-8 rifle in the car mount
 store the less lethal shotgun in the trunk of the marked police vehicle

Question 17

Police Officer - When arriving on scene of an incident a less lethal shotgun may be used as a use of force option

Answer 17

 to prevent from being overpowered when violently attacked
 to prevent a prisoner from being taken from police custody
 to disarm an apparently dangerous person armed with an offensive weapon
 to control a potentially violent situation when other use of force options are not viable
 for any other lawful and justifiable purpose
 when practicable, advise the communications operator via radio “Sock Round on Scene”
 when practicable, prior to discharging a less lethal shotgun announce “Sock Round”

Question 18

Police Officer - Unless engaged in an approved training exercise SHALL submit a

Answer 18

Use of Force Report and comply with Procedure 15– 01 after pointing a less lethal shotgun at any person.

Question 19

Police Officer - After discharging a less lethal shotgun while in the performance of duties, other than at an authorized range or under the exemption provisions, SHALL

Answer 19

 immediately seek medical attention, if required
 immediately notify
 their supervisory officer
 the Officer in Charge of the division in which the discharge occurred
 comply with the applicable sections of Procedure 15–01
 complete a TPS 105 when injuries result
 complete a Use of Force Report
 notify Communications Services of the circumstances
 comply with Procedure 13–16

Question 20

Police Officer - when no contact of a discharged “sock” round is made with a person, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is still required to investigate any discharge of a firearm at a person by an official, regardless of whether serious injury or death occurred;

Answer 20

 if no longer required for any immediate investigations, or by the SIU, collect the discharged “sock” round(s) and casing(s)
 document the particulars on a TPS 649 and submit to the Armament Section for proper disposal and issuance of replacement rounds

Question 21

Police Officer - when contact is made of a discharged “sock” round with a person, the SIU is still required to investigate any discharge of a firearm at a person by an official, regardless of whether serious injury or death occurred;

Answer 21

 if no longer required for immediate investigations, or by the SIU, collect and preserve the discharged “sock”
round(s) and casing(s) for a minimum of ninety (90) days in order to maintain integrity of any future investigations
 document the particulars on a TPS 649 and provide the document to the Armament Section for issuance of replacement rounds
 comply with Procedure 09-03 and complete a TPS 403 and TPS 405 when collecting and preserving “sock” round(s) and casing(s)

Question 22

Police Officer - When inspecting or cleaning a less lethal shotgun SHALL complete a

Answer 22

TPS 553.

Question 23

Supervisor - When a less lethal shotgun is temporarily issued, shared, or returned by a police officer SHALL ensure

Answer 23

 officers assigned to a less lethal shotgun are not simultaneously assigned a conventional shotgun
 the appropriate entries are made on Time and Resource Management System (TRMS) or Asset Inventory Management System (AIMS) in a timely fashion, including identification numbers of such equipment, where applicable
 TRMS is monitored to account for all temporary equipment issued during the tour of duty
 the Officer in Charge is advised of missing, damaged or malfunctioning equipment
 compliance with Procedures 15-03 and 15–15

Question 24

Supervisor - When notified of a less lethal shotgun discharge incident SHALL

Answer 24

 attend the scene immediately
 ensure immediate medical attention is provided, if required
 comply and ensure compliance with the applicable sections of Procedure 15–01
 complete a TPS 586
 notify the
 Officer in Charge
 Officer in Charge – Toronto Police Operations Centre
 comply with Procedure 13–16
 ensure compliance with item 7

Question 25

Officer in Charge - When assigning an officer equipped with a less lethal shotgun to patrol duties SHALL ensure

Answer 25

 the officer is qualified in the use of a less lethal shotgun
 the officer is not simultaneously assigned a conventional shotgun
 where feasible, assign two (2) qualified officers to a less lethal shotgun equipped vehicle
 the Officer in Charge – Communications Services is notified of the vehicle call sign
 each key ring for a police vehicle equipped with an electric mount includes a manual override mount key
 two (2) sets of vehicle keys are available for each vehicle, with both sets going to the officer of a solo vehicle, and each officer receiving a set where the vehicle has two (2) officers
 compliance with Procedure 13–16
 compliance with Procedures 15-03 and 15–15

Question 26

Officer in Charge - When assigning an officer both a less lethal shotgun and a C-8 rifle SHALL only do so when the officer is

Answer 26

assigned to a marked police vehicle equipped with an electric mount.

Question 27

Officer in Charge - When notified of a less lethal shotgun discharge incident SHALL

Answer 27

 ensure compliance with items 7 and 10
 comply and ensure compliance with the applicable sections of Procedure 15–01 and 13-16
 review the TPS 586 for completeness and forward to the Unit Commander

Question 28

Officer in Charge - When a less lethal shotgun is inspected or cleaned SHALL ensure the appropriate entry is made on the

Answer 28

TPS 553.

Question 29

Officer in Charge – Toronto Police Operations Centre - When notified of a less lethal shotgun discharge SHALL

Answer 29

 immediately notify the Duty Senior Officer
 immediately notify the on-call FDI
 comply with Procedure 13–16

Question 30

Definitions - Accidental Discharge

Answer 30

means an unintentional discharge of a service firearm or less lethal shotgun by a police officer that is not the result of undue care and attention to the prescribed safe handling procedures.

Question 31

Definitions - Administrative Load

Answer 31

means the manner in which a gun is loaded, in accordance with training, to ensure safety.

Question 32

Definitions - Chief’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) On-Call Designated Authority

Answer 32

means a member of the cadre of on-call Toronto Police Service uniform senior officers that acts as the designated authority and manages the SIU event in the field on behalf of the Chief.

Question 33

Definitions - Less Lethal Shotgun

Answer 33

means a designated shotgun which uses less lethal impact munitions and is designed to be braced against the shoulder when fired.

Question 34

Definitions - Negligent Discharge

Answer 34

means an intentional or unintentional discharge of a service firearm or less lethal shotgun by a police officer that is the result of undue care and attention to the prescribed safe handling procedures.

Question 35

Definitions - Qualified in the Use of a Less Lethal Shotgun

Answer 35

means a police officer qualified by the Toronto Police College – Armament Section to use a less lethal shotgun and who has attended and passed less lethal shotgun recertification training before the twelve (12) month expiry of the date of certification of the previous year.