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 handheld 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.
What is the 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
The CEW may not be effective under certain circumstances, including
encountering heavy clothing, having only one probe in contact with the subject and/or other weapon limitations. Officers should be prepared to adjust their use of force options accordingly.
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 “assaultive”. The use of the CEW on sensitive areas of the body should be avoided. It should not be used on
children, pregnant women, elderly or the visibly frail except under exceptional circumstances wherein the use of other force options would reasonably be expected to cause greater potential injury.
Any time a CEW is activated, the date, time and duration of the firing 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.
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
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
Further, police officers SHALL NOT use a CEW for the sole purpose of gathering digital video and audio evidence, or as a form of coercion or punishment.
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
_____SHALL be notified and commence an immediate investigation of any incident involving the use of the CEW on handcuffed persons.
Professional Standards Unit
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
Police Officer (Shared Asset)
- When issued with an X2 CEW SHALL
- carry it in the approved holster on the support side, in a cross–draw fashion
- conduct a Function Test at the beginning of each tour of duty while pointing the CEW into a firearm proving unit and record the spark test in the memorandum book
- ensure the Tactical Power Performance Magazine (TPPM) is charged to a minimum of twenty (20) percent (one bar) capacity
- submit a TPS 594 to the Unit Commander through the Officer in Charge
- when personally issued a CEW and when there is a subsequent change in the choice of storage election, notify the Unit Commander of that change
Police Officer (Personal Issue - Taser 7 Model)
- When issued with a Taser 7 Model CEW SHALL
- carry it in the approved holster on the support side, in a cross–draw fashion with attached cartridge holster
- duo pack close quarter cartridges (CQ) will be loaded as the primary load in the CEW for daily duties.
- duo pack standoff cartridges (SO) will be secured in the cartridge holster, until the user deems it necessary for a specific incident to change cartridges.
- upon the conclusion of the specific incident officers will reload the duo pack close quarter (CQ) cartridges and secure the stand off (SO) cartridges in the storage pouch
- conduct a function test at the beginning of each tour of duty while pointing the CEW into a firearm proving unit and record the function test in the memorandum book
- CAUTION – If the trigger is depressed on a loaded Taser 7 Model CEW, the weapon will immediately exit Function Test Mode and deploy a cartridge
- ensure the extended battery pack (EBP) is charged to a minimum of twenty (20) percent capacity
- submit a TPS 594 to the Unit Commander through the Officer in Charge
- when personally issued a CEW and when there is a subsequent change in the choice of storage election, notify the Unit Commander of that change
Police Officer (Personal Issue - Taser 7 Model)
- When personally issued with a CEW SHALL store the CEW with the
safety switch on ‘safe’, with the cartridges removed, in the assigned firearm storage locker along with all of the cartridges.
Police Officer (Personal Issue - Taser 7 Model)
- When personally issued a CEW and electing to regularly store their CEW at their principal residence while off duty, rather than at their assigned unit SHALL
- be subject to the provisions of the Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations (SOR/98-209) made under the Firearms Act (SDTH Regulations)
- transport the CEW directly to their principal residence
- immediately upon arrival at their principal residence ensure the CEW is stored with the safety switch on ‘safe’, and the cartridges removed
- ensure that the CEW is unloaded while stored and SHALL be stored using either 1 of the 2 following options
o CEW and issued cartridges will be stored in a securely locked container, receptacle or room that is secure. If this method is used, the CEW must be rendered inoperable using a secure locking device (i.e. a trigger lock)
o CEW and issued cartridges will be stored in a securely locked vault, safe or room that has been specifically constructed or modified for a restricted or prohibited firearm. If this method is used, the CEW does not need to be rendered inoperable - The Service will not provide a CEW storage container for officers who elect to store a CEW at other than a Service facility.
Police Officer (Personal Issue - Taser 7 Model)
- Whenever a CEW is cycled, excluding Function Testing, SHALL
- ensure, if possible, that one or more additional officers are present during the CEW activation cycle
- record the particulars in the memorandum book
Police Officer (Personal Issue - Taser 7 Model)
- When the CEW is used as a Demonstrated Force Presence SHALL
- notify a next level supervisor at the first available opportunity
- notify the communications dispatcher that there was a CEW “Display Only”, and confirm that Toronto Paramedic Services (Paramedics) is not required
- complete and submit a Use of Force Report and a TPS 584 to the Officer in Charge prior to the completion of the tour of duty
- place the extended battery pack (EBP) in the docking station for automatic download data transfer – Taser 7 Model
Police Officer (Personal Issue - Taser 7 Model)
- When the CEW is used in Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment SHALL
- announce to other officers on scene that a CEW is present – “Taser on Scene”, when practicable
- verbally caution the subject before use, when practicable
- when appropriate, an announcement of “Taser, Taser, Taser” should be made that a CEW is going to be deployed
- immediately secure the subject, “handcuff under power” if safe to do so
- advise the subject that they have been subjected to a CEW and that the effects are short term
- notify the communications dispatcher that a CEW was used in Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment
- where possible avoid Drive Stun or Full Deployment near sensitive areas identified as, but not limited to the
o head
o eyes
o neck
o trachea
o groin
o genitals
o any visible pre-existing injuries - request the attendance of Paramedics and monitor the subject until their arrival
- unless circumstances make it impossible, restrain the subject in a sitting position to promote easier and more efficient breathing, monitoring them closely
- allow only Paramedics personnel or medical staff to remove the probes, when the skin has been punctured
- Service personnel are authorized to remove the probes that are only attached to clothing.
- notify a next level supervisor at the first available opportunity
- complete and submit a Use of Force Report and a TPS 584 to the Officer in Charge prior to the completion of the tour of duty
- place the extended battery pack (EBP) in the docking station for automatic download data transfer – Taser 7 Model
- complete and submit a TPS 105 when injuries result
- attach a copy of the TPS 105 to the TPS 584
- Injuries include, but are not limited to, probe marks when the CEW is used in Full Deployment or burn marks when used in Drive Stun Mode.
Police Officer (Personal Issue - Taser 7 Model)
- When an accidental or negligent discharge of a CEW has occurred SHALL
- notify a next level supervisor at the first available opportunity
- notify a communications dispatcher
- complete and submit a Use of Force Report and a TPS 584 to the Officer in Charge prior to the completion of the tour of duty
- ensure the extended battery pack (EBP) is placed in the docking station for automatic download – Taser 7 Model
- complete and submit a TPS 105 when injuries result
- attach a copy of the TPS 105 to the TPS 584
Police Officer (Personal Issue - Taser 7 Model)
- When a CEW Full Deployment has occurred, or in the event of an accidental or negligent discharge, SHALL
- separate the cartridge from the probes by breaking the attached wires and carefully place fired probes into a sharps-container found in the Bio–Hazard Kit which is standard issue in all scout cars
- Probes that have penetrated a body should be considered a biohazard and safety precautions should be used.
- comply with disposal instructions contained in Procedure 08–06
- package the expended cartridge in a plastic property bag
- document the particulars on a TPS 649 including the deployed cartridge serial number and submit along with the expended cartridge package to the Officer in Charge to obtain a replacement cartridge
Supervisory Officer
- When notified of a CEW being used in Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment SHALL
- attend the scene immediately
- ensure immediate medical attention, if required
- notify the
o Officer in charge - The Communications Operational Supervisor with the - event number,
- type of deployment,
- subject officer’s badge number and
- description of subject and officer injuries (if applicable)
o Officer in Charge – TPOC
o If the CEW use occurs in other than the police officer’s home unit SHALL ensure the Officer in Charge of the division where the CEW use occurred is notified of the use - ensure the Use of Force Report, the TPS 584 and, if applicable, the TPS 105 are properly completed and submitted to the Officer in Charge
- ensure the extended battery pack (EBP) is placed in the docking station for automatic download data transfer– Taser 7 Model
- complete the officer’s portion of the Use of Force Report when an officer is incapable of doing so
Officer in Charge
- Upon being notified of CEW use SHALL
- ensure a description of the event is detailed in the UCMR
- ensure all reports including the Use of Force Report, the TPS 584 and, if applicable, the TPS 105 are properly completed
- if the discharge is accidental or negligent, submit a TPS 901 to the Unit Commander prior to the completion of the tour of duty
Officer in Charge
- Whenever a CEW is used in Drive Stun Mode or Full Deployment, including accidental and negligent discharges, SHALL as soon as practicable but prior to the completion of the tour of duty
- ensure arrangements have been made for the transport of the CEW to the Toronto Police College for download – Taser X2 Model
- ensure the extended battery pack (EBP) is placed in the docking station for automatic download data transfer – Taser 7 Model
- attach a hard copy of the Use of Force Report, TPS 584 and, if applicable, the TPS 105
- submit all relevant reports to the Unit Commander
Officer in Charge
- When in receipt of the expended cartridge package and accompanying TPS 649 SHALL ensure
- the expended cartridge package and the TPS 649 are delivered to the Unit Commander for replacement approval
- where replacement has been approved, the TPS 649 and the cartridge package are transported to Toronto Police College – Armament Office
Officer in Charge
- Upon notification of CEW use within the division by any police officer SHALL ensure
a description of the event is detailed in the UCMR.
