POST Recommendations-

Contents of Agency Policy and Procedures Manual for

Conducted Energy Devices (CED)

1.   P & P directive governs when agency personnel are allowed, or required, to carry a CED, and if the CED is carried, the authorized manner of carry and accessibility of the CED to the officer. Also covering;

• Training and certification requirements with-in the agency
• CED standards, including the make and model of the device itself and any accessories
• Requirements and/or authorizations for Deployment
• Inspection and maintenance procedures and protocols

2.   P & P directive should also require on-going training regarding Less Lethal Force, including the use of CED’s.  Periodic training updates assist officers in understanding how and when to deploy CED weapons systems.  These updates can be achieved through various means including, but not limited to:

• Bulletins
• In-service trainings
• Daily briefings
• Scenario based discussions with supervisors or CED instructors

3.  If authorized, the P & P directive should govern the personal ownership of a CED.  At a minimum, the directive should include the following topics:

• Specifications for authorized weapons systems (make, model etc)
• Departmental registration requirements
• Weapon security on and off duty
• Adherence to departmental rules regarding the weapon
• Inspections (including data memory)
• Certifications
• Notification requirements (beginning of shift, after action, etc.)

Authorized and Prohibited Use of CED Guidelines

Force Continuum/Spectrum placement:

1. Specifies that the use of CED be identified and placed appropriately on either a “Use of Force Continuum or Spectrum” or be clearly identified for authorization when specified levels of resistance are encountered.

2. Specific written directives govern the authorization/prohibition of use of CED in exceptional circumstances, including but not limited to:

• Restrained subjects
• Verbal non-compliance
• Fleeing subjects
• Holding/jail cells (extraction or otherwise)
• At or from a moving vehicle.

Note:   Consideration in the authorization/prohibition of use of CED may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Resistance encountered authorization
• Suicide threats
• Out of control subjects (with or without weapons)
• Intoxicated subjects (uncooperative or combative)
• Subjects under the influence of drugs (uncooperative or combative)
• To prevent injury to officers or citizens
• To prevent destruction of property
• Crowd control
• Fleeing individuals
• Active resistance
• Passive resistance
• Restrained subjects (handcuffed, etc.)
• Use on subjects with known medical conditions (pregnant, etc.)
•  “Test arc” or “painting” of subjects with laser
• Commands required prior to deployment
• Authorized/non-authorized target areas of deployment
• Requirements for availability of backup with lethal force
• Environmental hazards (water, flammable substances, positions of danger, etc.)
• Strict prohibition of use as punishment

3.  Specify supervisory responsibilities related to oversight and review of CED deployment, including but not limited to:

• Notification requirements when deployed (intentional or accidental)
• Whether on-scene supervisory response is required
• Reporting requirements of supervisor or superior officer
• Investigation/documentationrequirements of supervisor (data download, confetti tag retrieval, photographs, medical records, etc.)

 4.  Specify agency policy for medical procedures following application of a CED, including but not limited to:

• Probe removal
• By officers
• By medical personnel
• At scene or medical facility
• Whether medical treatment and/or examination is required

• In-Service Training Calendar (All Locations)

• Link to In-Service Training forms

• Application for Certification of a School

• Class announcement for web page

• Law Week Updates

• Certified Instructors

• POST Lesson Plan Format

• Instructor Seminar Log