Procedure 501-Use of Force Flashcards
.02A. The San Antonio Police Department requires its officers to exhibit a sense of prudent judgment derived from
departmental training, acquired knowledge, skills, and ability in the exercise or application of any level of force.
.02B. Officers shall use only the level of force necessary to;
accomplish a lawful police objective.
.02B. Any time force is used, the officer shall apply a level of force;
reasonable for the situation.
.02C. The Department also requires supervisors to respond to the;
scene of use of force incidents and to review all Use of Force Reports to ensure the application of force
conforms to established guidelines and departmental policy and procedures.
.03A. The sanctity of human life and individual liberties are immeasurable elements of modern society which vests police officers with the responsibility for the;
preservation and protection of its paramount values.
.03A. In the pursuit of this responsibility, officers maintain the understanding that the protection of property and apprehension of criminal offenders is;
subservient to the protection of life, including their own.
.03B. In the course of discharging their duty, police officers are often confronted with situations requiring some degree of force to be exercised in order to;
effectively maintain public order and safety.
.03B.This may be achieved on an ascending scale, according to and proportional with the circumstances of the situation, of the officer’s;
presence, verbal communications, open / empty hands control, physical force, intermediate weapon and deadly force.
.03B.The application of force must be conducted in a manner reasonable and commensurate to achieving a level of control that;
cannot otherwise be obtained through the use of other alternatives.
.03C. Although the use of a reasonable amount of force is authorized in appropriate circumstances, such as those involving the protection of the officer or others from bodily harm, officers must be aware that unnecessary or excessive force;
violates Federal Statues, the Texas Penal Code and departmental policy
.05A. With the exception of an officer’s presence or verbal communications, the use of any type of force is not justified in;
response to verbal provocation alone.
B. Police officers finding it necessary to use force to achieve a lawful police objective shall use a;
reasonable amount of force to affect the objective.
.05B. However, nothing in this procedure is interpreted to mean an officer must prolong any
combat or struggle in order to satisfy any element of escalation rather than resort to a
reasonable method that resolves the situation in the safest and most expedient fashion.
.05C. The use of force by an officer can be viewed as a matrix of force options used in;
response to a subject’s actions and behavior.
.05C. The force matrix illustrates the relationship between a;
subject’s actions and the officer’s response. [test question]
.05D. As force options move from lesser to greater levels, the risk of injury to the;
suspects and/or officers increase.
.05D. The matrix is designed to assist officers in understanding how;
force can escalate.
.05D. An officer should consider the following factors when assessing the need to use force:
- suspect submitting or resisting?
- suspect armed?
- nature of the crime?
- suspect previous arrest or history of violence?
- Number suspects involved?
- support from other officers available?
.05E. A weapon is not displayed or brandished as a threat unless its potential use in the situation would be;
reasonable, or if the circumstances clearly call for the use of a weapon to control a dangerous situation, or in accordance with Chapter 9 of the Penal Code.
.06A. When attempting to affect an arrest, when should officers use verbal communications, if possible?
prior to the use of non-deadly force.
.06B. If verbal communication has been exhausted or proven ineffective, officers are;
authorized to use open / empty hands control.
.06C. When are officers authorized to use physical force?
If an open / empty hands control has been exhausted or proven ineffective.
.06D. If physical force has proven ineffective or is not a reasonable option based upon the circumstances, officers are authorized to use;
an intermediate weapon to affect an arrest.
.06E. Officers may resort to the use of an approved intermediate weapon when:
- Lesser methods have failed;
- In self-defense or defense of a third person;
- Subduing or controlling a violent subject;
- Subduing an actively resisting actor;
- Physical force has proven ineffective or is not a reasonable option based upon the circumstances.
.06F. Only officers who have successfully completed a training course and are certified in the use of OC spray / gel and / or an ECD are;
authorized to carry and use OC spray / gel and / or ECD as an intermediate weapon.
.06F. Only officers who have also successfully completed a 40 hour Crisis Intervention Training course are;
authorized to carry an ECD.
.06F. Officers shall only carry and use OC spray / gel and / or ECDs that are;
department-issued.
06F. Officers shall carry the OC spray/gel and /or ECD in an;
authorized carrier
.06F. OC spray/gel and /or ECD shall not be brandished, displayed, or pointed at a subject in an intimidating manner unless an officer is;
attempting to prevent further escalation of force.