15-09 Conducted Energy Weapon Flashcards
What is the Rationale?
In February 2004, the Ministry of the Solicitor General (the Ministry) approved the use of Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs) for tactical units, hostage rescue teams, preliminary perimeter control containment teams and qualified front–line supervisors. Furthermore, in August 2013, the Ministry announced that it would change the guidelines surrounding the use of CEWs, and in November of that year the Ministry issued the revised guidelines titled “Revised Use of Force Guideline and Training Standards to Support Expanded Conducted Energy Weapon Use”. Parts of these changes include allowing police services to determine which officers are permitted to carry CEWs. The CEW is designed as a less–lethal weapon and is a legitimate force option within the Ontario Use of Force Model.
The hand held CEW when applied directly, is specifically designed to gain control of a subject who is assaultive as defined by the Criminal Code (CC). This includes threatening behaviour if the officer believes the subject intends and has the ability to carry out the threat, or where the subject presents an imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death, which includes suicide threats or attempts.
When CEW contact is made with a subject in Full Deployment, it delivers a metered and pulsed electrical current, which is designed to result in involuntary muscle contractions and loss of motor control. This may cause a subject to become incapacitated, permitting officers the opportunity to gain control of the subject.
Supervision
Supervisory Officer attendance mandatory when a CEW has been used in Drive Stun Mode or Full Development
Supervisory Officer notification mandatory when a CEW has been used in Demonstrated Force Presence, Drive Stun Mode or in Full Deployment
Communications Operator notification mandatory when a CEW has been used in Demonstrated Force Presence, Drive Stun Mode, or in Full Deployment
Procedure - CEWs provide officers with an additional tool to assist them in utilizing the appropriate level of force required when necessary. The purpose of issuing CEWs is not to increase the use of force by officers, but rather to provide officers with an_____________. Officers who are authorized by law to use force are criminally responsible for any excess thereof according to the nature and quality of the act that constitutes the excess.
additional option within the use of force continuum in an effort to reduce fatalities and serious injuries whenever possible
Procedure - The CEW may not be effective under certain circumstances, including encountering _________. Officers should be prepared to adjust their use of force options accordingly.
heavy clothing, having only one probe in contact with the subject and/or other weapon limitations
Procedure - The device, therefore, when applied directly, is used strictly to________, not to secure compliance of a subject who is merely resistant. This Procedure limits the deployment of the device to the more serious of circumstances and in some instances prohibits its use.
gain control of a subject who is at risk of causing harm
Procedure - Full Deployment or Drive Stun Mode use should be considered an appropriate force option in relation to the Use of Force Model, beginning at subject behavior considered ______. The use of the CEW on sensitive areas of the body should be avoided. It should not be used on _______ except under exceptional circumstances wherein the use of other force options would reasonably be expected to cause greater potential injury.
“assaultive”
children, pregnant women, elderly or the visibly frail
Procedure - Officers must continuously assess impact factors within each unique critical incident. CEW effectiveness and tactical considerations may be effected by several factors including,
environmental (weather), physiological (drug / substance abuse) and psychological (person in crisis) characteristics of the subject(s).
Procedure - Any time a CEW is activated, the ________ is recorded in a microchip. This data will be downloaded for analysis and audit purposes. The CEW has a built–in weapon management system to prevent misuse/abuse and protect officers from unfounded allegations through documentation of usage.
date, time and duration of the firing
Use of CEW - Police officers may use a CEW as a force option
to prevent themselves from being overpowered when violently attacked
to prevent a prisoner 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
De-Escalation - Police officers when appropriate, before using a CEW as a force option SHALL consider
using de-escalation techniques or verbal commands
be aware of the risk of secondary injury
use demonstrated force presence / laser paint techniques to gain compliance
be mindful of CEWs capabilities in relation to the context and environment
delivering the minimal amount of cycles necessary in order to gain compliance
avoid extended or multiple cycles where practical
have reasonable and appropriate alternate force options available when practical
consider cover and distance tactics
be aware of “containment pressure” and when appropriate, consider disengagement
consider subject’s fall zone
when practical, have at least one additional officer present to control/cuff the subject under power
Prohibitions on Use of CEW - Police officers SHALL NOT use a CEW in Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment on a subject who is
operating a motor vehicle, bicycle or other conveyance, except as a last measure to protect life
subdued and under control
known to have been in contact with flammable liquids, or in a flammable atmosphere (e.g. natural gas leak, drug lab), except as a last measure to protect life, or
in a precarious position or location where a fall will likely cause serious injury or death, except as a last measure to protect life
in handcuffs
Prohibitions on Use of CEW - Further, police officers SHALL NOT use a CEW for the sole purpose of gathering _______
Pursuant to Procedure 13–03 and 13–05, any apparent breach of this Procedure will be carefully considered on its merits having regard to all the circumstances before discipline is commenced.
digital video and audio evidence, or as a form of coercion or punishment.
Seizure of Service CEW - Pursuant to Procedure 13-16, Special Investigations Unit; where a CEW is involved and the S.I.U. mandate is or may be invoked, the CEW SHALL remain
holstered and handled in compliance with this procedure, relevant Chapter 15 procedures, and training.
Seizure of Service CEW - The CEW SHALL be proven safe at a proving station in the presence of an _____________. The CEW information SHALL not be downloaded, altered, or modified.
SIU investigator and the Chief’s SIU On-Call Designated Authority
Seizure of Service CEW - The _______ SHALL not be removed. The CEW or electronic download information (pulse log) may only be turned over to the SIU at the direction of the ___________.
In exigent circumstances, such as in the case of an injured officer, a supervisory officer SHALL seize and secure the CEW.
cartridge and battery
Chief’s SIU On-Call Designated Authority
CEW Use Reporting Responsibilities - Any time a CEW is used as Demonstrated Force Presence, Drive Stun Mode, Full Deployment or accidental or negligent discharges, a__________ SHALL be completed and submitted prior to the completion of the tour of duty, unless engaged in approved training.
Use of Force Report and a TPS 584
CEW Use Reporting Responsibilities - Professional Standards Unit SHALL be notified, and commence an immediate investigation of any incident involving the use of the CEW on ________.
handcuffed persons
Police Officer (Shared Asset) - When a CEW is utilized as a shared asset, the following SHALL apply
a Supervisor SHALL obtain from the secure CEW storage cabinet the number of CEW’s that are required for issue to qualified CEW operators
a Supervisor SHALL personally issue the CEW to the officer and record the serial number of the issued CEW
the serial numbers of the CEW’s SHALL be entered on the unit parade sheets
the officer receiving the CEW SHALL record the serial number in his/her memorandum book
the officer utilizes the Asset Inventory and Management System (AIMS) to record the issuance of the CEW
upon returning the CEW to a supervisory officer, the officer ensures that the CEW is unloaded and utilizes AIMS to record the return of the CEW
