Procedure 512-Electronic Control Devices Flashcards
.01.This procedure provides officers with guidelines necessary for the safe carrying,;
handling, deployment, and use of Electronic Control Devices (ECD).
.02A. Officers are authorized to use an ECD to affect an arrest if;
physical force has proven ineffective or are not a reasonable option based upon the circumstances.
.02B. Officers are responsible for the;
safekeeping and appropriate use of their ECD.
.04A. An officer desiring to carry an ECD while on or off-duty must:
- Successfully complete a training course at the Training Academy or
- Present a certificate of training from a TCLEOSE approved course and demonstrate proficiency to the Training Academy Commander or his designee.
.04B. Upon satisfactory demonstration in the ECD use, the Training Academy Commander or designee recommends approval or disapproval to carry the ECD and;
routes a written report to the officer’s division commander.
.04C. The officer’s division commander makes a written recommendation approving or disapproving the carrying of the ECD to the;
a. Training Academy Section
b. The Office of the Chief.
.04D. Who makes the final decision to approve or disapprove the carrying of the ECD?
The Chief of Police
.05A. When the probes make contact with the suspect, the ECD will transmit;
electrical pulses along the wires and into the suspect
.05A. The pulses can penetrate clothing;
up to;
two inches in thickness.
.05A. The pulses will temporarily override the sensory nervous system and motor nervous system control over the skeletal muscles, resulting in;
uncontrollable muscle contractions, temporarily disabling the individual.
.05B. The ECD is pre-programmed to deliver a;
five-second electrical burst.
.05B. During an actual deployment, it is recommended the;
full five-second cycle be used for maximum effectiveness of the weapon.
05B. The officer can shorten this automatic five-second cycle by simply;
engaging the safety, thereby turning off the weapon.
..05C. Each ECD includes a data port located on the unit. Every time the ECD is utilized, specific information will be;
recorded to assist in accurate reporting of ECD usage.
.06A. To receive ECD training officers must be selected by;
the Chief of Police or designee
.06B. Officers must successfully complete a training course and be certified in the use of ECDs to be;
authorized to carry and use an ECD as an intermediate weapon.
.06B. Only officers who have also successfully completed a;
(40) hour Crisis Intervention Training course will receive authorization to carry an ECD.
.06C. ECD operators will be required to attend a Department approved;
ECD recertification course Annually.
.06C. When shall officers participate in remedial training, to include additional information, and practical training, prior to recertification, to carry the ECD?
When an officer fails the written or practical exam.
.06C. An Officer, having to attend remedial training, will not be authorized to carry an ECD if the officer;
fails any portion of the remedial training.
.06C. When may the officer who has failed remedial training request authorization to carry an ECD?
After (6) months.
An officer who has waited the required (6) months, before requesting authorization to carry an ECD, if approved, must complete the;
entire block of ECD training.
.07A. Officers shall only carry and use;
department-issued ECDs.
.07B. Officers who carry the ECD may choose not to carry a;
second intermediate weapon.
.07C. Officers have the option of wearing the holster in front of the firearm for a support side cross-draw, or on the opposite hip of the;
duty firearm to draw the ECD only, with the support hand. The strong hand cross-draw carry still applies.
.07D. An ECD and (2) cartridges will be issued to;
authorized officers.
.07E. The serial number of the ECD and the serial number of each cartridge will be documented at the time of;
issue / replacement of the equipment.
.07F. Cartridges will not be stored except in the;
designated issue point, a Department locker, or the armory.
.07G. After each deployment, a;
supervisor will be notified for a replacement cartridge.
.07G. Prior to issuance of a new cartridge, a report documenting the deployment;
will be provided to the supervisor.
.08.A. A pre-operation check of the ECD will be conducted;
prior to going on duty.
.08A. The ECD resembles a;
pistol and it should be handled accordingly.
.08A. With the cartridge removed and the weapon pointed in a safe direction, the officer will perform a;
spark display of the ECD.
.08A. If the ECD fails to fire or fires slowly, ensure the batteries are fully charged and properly installed. If it doesn’t work, contact;
your immediate supervisor, or the armory for replacement.
.08A. The officer will attach the cartridge and holster the weapon, and will not test fire the ECD a second time during the;
shift without a specific reason and a supervisor’s approval.
.08B. After a successful spark test an officer will not conduct an additional spark test;
without supervisor approval.
.08C. Accidental discharges will require;
supervisor notification.
.08C. The officer shall report the incident in writing through his chain of command, to;
his division commander.
.08D. A copy of the report shall be forwarded to;
the Internal Affairs Unit.
.09.A. If physical force has proven ineffective or is not a reasonable option based upon the circumstances, officers are;
authorized to use an ECD to affect an arrest.
.09B. The ECD is not intended to be used in deadly force situations, and is deployed as a;
non-deadly tool for the officer.
.09B. Personnel shall only utilize the ECD consistent with;
the training received.
.09C. The ECD is not intended to replace the open/empty hands control techniques used to;
restrain a passive resister.
.09C. The ECD is to be used for control and arrest of aggressive resisters who may be exhibiting violent behavior or when there is reasonable belief;
it would be unsafe for officers to approach within contact range of the suspect.
.09C. The ECD is placed at the same level of force as;
OC spray / Gel.
.09D. The decision to use the ECD will be dependent upon the:
a. Actions of the subject,
b. Threat facing the officer, and
c. Totality of circumstances surrounding the incident.
.09E. As with any other type of force, officers will end application of the ECD when;
the subject discontinues resistance or aggression.
.09F. ECDs should not be brandished, displayed, or pointed at a subject in an intimidating manner unless an officer is
attempting to prevent further escalation of force.
.09G. More than one officer may deploy (brandish) an ECD, however;
no more than one officer at a time should activate an ECD against a person.
.09G. When activating an ECD, officers should use it for one standard 5-second cycle and then;
evaluate the situation.
.09G. If subsequent cycles are necessary, officers shall restrict the number and duration of those cycles to the;
minimum activations necessary to place the subject in custody.
.09H. Officers may use an ECD when:
- Lesser methods have failed;
- In self-defense or defense of a third person;
- Subduing or controlling a violent subject;
- Subduing an aggressively resisting actor;
- Physical force has proven ineffective or is not a reasonable option based upon the circumstances.
.09I. Proper application will result in temporary immobilization of the subject and provide the officer a “window of opportunity” in which to take the subject safely into custody.
Probe Mode
Optimum range for probe deployment is 7 to 15 feet with a 21 foot maximum distance.
Probe Mode
.09I. A subject threatening himself or others with physical force and other means of controlling the subject are unreasonable or could cause injury to the public, the officer, or the subject.
Situation appropriate for ECD deployment.
.09I. The ECD may be used on a subject when reasonably necessary to overcome;
aggressive resistance to lawful objectives.
.09I. Other means of lesser or equal force have been ineffective and the threat still exists to the public, the
officer, or the subject.
Situation appropriate for ECD deployment.
.09I. ECD may be used on aggressive animals in the defense of the;
officers or innocent bystanders.
.09I. When touched to the body, the ECD causes significant localized pain in the area touched by the ECD but does not have the effect of NMI.
Drive Stun Mode