HPM 70.6 Flashcards
The legal standard used to determine the lawfulness of a use of force is the Fourth Amendment to the United States (U.S.) Constitution and Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989). Graham states, in essence, that any use of force must be:
objectively reasonable under the totality of the circumstances.
The Graham decision specified three primary factors (the Graham Factors) to assist in determining reasonableness.
(1) Severity of the crime at issue.
(2) Whether the subject poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officer(s) or others.
(3) Whether the subject is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade arrest by flight.
It is the policy of the Department that officers may use force which is objectively reasonable to:
- defend themselves or others
- effect an arrest or detention
- prevent escape
- overcome resistance.
While policy cannot realistically predict every possible situation, the decision regarding which force option to select should be guided by the following key principles:
(1) Sound professional judgment.
(2) Use of force that is objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances perceived by the officer at the time
(3) De-Escalation
(4) The prospect of a favorable outcome is also often enhanced when supervisors
(5) Ultimately, the decision by an officer to use force shall be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer in the same situation, based on the totality of the circumstances known to or perceived by the officer at the time,
(a) While it is relevant, flight alone is not the only factor to be taken into consideration. In addition to flight, officers shall consider:
1 The severity of the crime.
2 Whether the subject poses an immediate threat to officers or others.
3 The officer-to-subject factors and environmental factors (lighting, footing, weather, etc.).
Once an officer no longer perceives a threat, deadly force is no longer ___________
justified.
(b) In self-defense while an assault with a deadly weapon (ADW) with a vehicle __________________
is actually beinq committed.
The discharge of a firearm at a wrong-way, high-speed, or reckless driver or vehicle solely on the assumption that other persons may be injured or killed unless the driving act is terminated is _____
not authorized.
(4) Warning shots ___be fired except under the same conditions which authorize the use of deadly force against a human being and only if the firing of such shots is not likely to endanger innocent persons.
shall not
a. Following a use of force incident, officers should provide medical care _______as soon as practical.
within their scope of practice
d. When a subject requests or is provided medical attention, arrest reports shall include, at a minimum, the following additional information:
(1) Nature of illness or injury.
(2) Name of attending doctor and their recommendations.
(3) Whether jail personnel were requested to arrange for medical care.
(4) When pertinent, include time elements, symptoms, requests for aid by the subject(s), and details of the transportation and treatment.
e. All medical care provided by CHP employees shall be documented in the officer’s report and on a
CHP 330, Emergency Medical Report (EMT-P, EMT-1, EMR).
All incidents involving the use of force shall be thoroughly documented. Documentation shall include the following:
(a) The totality of circumstances surrounding the use of force.
(b) Method(s) of force used.
(c) De-escalation techniques.
(d) Any medical assistance rendered.
For use of force incidents: Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that:
(1) Accurate reporting shall be thoroughly documented in accordance with Highway Patrol Manual (HPM) 100.86, Risk Management Manual.
(2) An investigation is conducted and documented.
An officer may discharge a firearm at an animal under the following conditions:
(1) In self-defense or to defend another person from serious bodily harm.
(2) When necessary to destroy a critically injured animal, provided such action can be accomplished with safety to persons and property.
(3) When necessary to destroy suspected rabid animals or animals attacking livestock.
The departmental shooting policy shall be reviewed ________ by all uniformed employees at the rank of sergeant and below.
quarterly
Firearms _____ be discharged from departmental aircraft except in compliance with this policy and only when the aircraft is not in flight.
shall not
Officers should not place their finger on the trigger of any firearm during a tactical situation except under the following circumstances:
(a) When actually firing the firearm.
(b) When the firearm is pointed at an identified target and the use of deadly force is justified.
The decision whether or not to place their finger on the trigger of a firearm must be based on the officer’s perception of the _____________
tactical situation with which they are confronted.
.The shooting of an animal should be undertaken only as a last resort. The following steps shall be taken prior to shooting:
(1) Supervisor’s approval to destroy the animal should be obtained with consideration of the geographical location and the officer’s experience.
(2) If possible, the owner’s permission to destroy the animal should be obtained.
(3) All bystanders must be protected by removal to a safe area behind the shooting officer.
(4) The area behind and to the sides of the animal should be protected in the event of overpenetration or ricochet of the bullet. The preferred method is to select a location which provides a dirt embankment or other suitable backstop.
(5) When shooting any animal in the head, the chances of ricochet are reduced when shot from a 90-degree angle at the point of entry.
(6) The skull structure of large animals is predominately thick. There are, however, limited areas where the skull is thin enough to permit bullet penetration.
The following discharge of firearms incidents shall be reported:
(1) The intentional discharge of any firearm by an officer while on duty.
(2) The intentional discharge of any firearm by an officer while off duty in the direction of, or causing injury to, any person, or toward the property of another person without their specific permission.
(3) Accidental discharge of any firearm while on duty.
(4) Off-duty accidental discharges of any firearm that may be carried concealed under the authority of California peace officer status.
(5) Warning shots fired by an officer while off duty in an attempt to apprehend a person for any crime.
(6) The intentional or accidental discharge of a firearm by a nonuniformed employee while on duty.
Shooting animals: Shots to the heart are to be used as a ___________, as there is a good possibility of ricochet from the shoulder and rib bones.
last resort