Use of Force DP 1.04 SDPD

Flashcards covering purpose, scope, key concepts, definitions, and procedural requirements from the San Diego Police Department Use of Force DP 1.04 document.

What is the purpose of DP 1.04 Use of Force?

To establish guidelines on use of force options available to Department personnel and to be read and applied in context with Procedures 1.55 (De-escalation) and 1.56 (Intervention).

Who is covered by DP 1.04 Use of Force?

All members of the San Diego Police Department.

What is the Department’s highest priority in use of force decisions?

The protection of human life, including that of innocent victims and uninvolved citizens.

What is the Department’s general objective when responding to incidents involving potential force?

To achieve a safe resolution through de-escalation and voluntary compliance whenever possible, while recognizing that force may be necessary and that officers are not required to retreat from danger when applying reasonable force.

What law requires a person to submit to an arrest by a peace officer?

Penal Code 834a.

What does Penal Code 148(a)(1) prohibit?

Resisting, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer in the discharge of duties.

What does Penal Code 835a(b) authorize?

The use of reasonable force to make a lawful arrest, prevent an escape, or overcome resistance.

What is Assembly Bill 392 (AB 392) in relation to use of force?

AB 392 amends Penal Codes 196 and 835a, setting criteria that deadly force is justified only to defend against imminent death or serious injury or to apprehend a fleeing felon under specific circumstances, and emphasizes pre-planning and totality-of-circumstances evaluation.

What standard is used to evaluate an officer’s use of force, per Graham v. Connor?

Reasonableness is evaluated under the totality of the circumstances at the time of the force; it is not judged with 20/20 hindsight.

What is the purpose of the Use of Force Matrix?

A guide illustrating the relationship between a subject’s actions and the officer’s possible responses, to assist in understanding force options and documenting force used.

Name three factors the department considers when deciding to use force (the totality of circumstances).

Examples include age of subject, availability of other options, distance, number of subjects/officers, whether the subject is under the influence, environmental factors, and whether the subject is armed or perceived to be armed.

What is Active Resistance?

Physically evasive movements to defeat an officer’s control, such as bracing, tensing, running, or signaling an attempt to avoid custody.

What is Assaultive Behavior?

Aggressive physical opposition or threats indicating potential injury to the officer; verbal threats alone do not constitute assaultive behavior.

Define De-escalation in the context of this procedure.

Strategies and techniques designed to reduce threat immediacy, minimize the need for force, and gain voluntary compliance; see DP 1.55.

What is Defending Force?

The force necessary to stop assaultive behavior; typically involves impact strikes and may not target the head unless there is imminent threat of death or serious injury.

What are Distraction Techniques?

Techniques intended to divert a subject’s focus to aid control, such as open-handed strikes targeting the lower body; these are lower-level, controlled forces.

What is Life-threatening Behavior?

Behavior likely to cause serious bodily injury or death.

What is Intervention as defined in DP 1.04?

The act of preventing or stopping another member’s unreasonable use of force; intervening means coming between to prevent or alter the outcome.

What constitutes Reportable Force under DP 1.04?

Any force option, control hold, or weaponless defense resulting in injury or complaint, discharge of a firearm or Taser, use of a baton/OPN/impact weapon, chemical agent, canine bite, restraints, overcoming physical resistance to handcuffs, use of specialty munitions, or pointing a firearm at a person.

What are the reporting requirements after force is used?

Officers must prepare detailed Use of Force reports (arrest/detention/ARJIS-9) and enter a Use of Force BlueTeam entry; reportable force data must be collected and documented.

What steps are taken when force results in injury requiring medical treatment?

A field supervisor must be notified and evaluate the incident; Watch Commander/field lieutenant must be informed; IA may respond for significant incidents; statements and photographs must be documented and impounded as evidence.

What is AB 953 (RIPA) data collection and why is it required?

RIPA requires data collection on all stops, detentions, and searches, including force used; data is entered into a specific application and templates; a RIPA entry must be submitted for every arrest or detention and verified by supervisors.