Use of Force and Law Enforcement Procedures

Telecommunications Protocol:
- Gather information including:
- Location of the suspect.
- Presence of weapons involved.
- Details of injuries, if any.
- Suspect's influence (alcohol/drugs).
- Presence of children.
- Current Order of Protection status of the victim.
- History of domestic violence calls at location.
Response Procedures:
- Separate all parties involved.
- Take control of any weapons.
- Assess need for medical assistance.
- Conduct interviews of everyone involved and witnesses.
- Document and collect all evidence, including:
- Photographs of injuries and property damage.
- Complete necessary report and criminal paperwork.
- Determine probable cause for arrest; proceed accordingly.
- Communication:
- Inform both victim and offender that charges are state-initiated, not victim-initiated.
Ongoing Support:
- Remain at the scene as long as there is imminent danger.
- Assist victim as per 40-13-7 NMSA 1978; document these actions.
- Assess need for Emergency Order of Protection; assist if needed.
- If no arrest is made, clearly document the reason in the report.
- Obtain follow-up photographs for invisible injuries.
- Note if suspect leaves scene, refer to NMSA 31-1-7 (A).
- If needed, obtain a warrant per State v. Almanzar, 288 P.3d 238 (N.M. Ct. App. 2012).

Stop Sticks Procedures:
- Officer must attempt to get supervisor's approval; not needed on stopped vehicles.
- Deployment Steps:
- Stop oncoming traffic using barriers.
- Determine intercept location for positioning.
- Coordinate transportation of hollow spike belt.
- Notify and coordinate with additional law enforcement agencies.
P.I.T. Procedures:
- Use P.I.T. for speeds above 35 mph, forcible stops, and only with deadly force authorization for Class "C".
- Stop or divert traffic if necessary; stage medical and fire resources.
- Note the area of Class "C" as a crime scene.
Reminders:
- Complete a use of force report for Stop Stick or P.I.T. deployment.
- Primary officer must complete a pursuit recap.
- Contact chain must be informed when deadly force is utilized.
- District commander will conduct a debriefing within 3 days.

Pursuit Procedures:
- Notify air support, request assistance from other agencies.
- Provide details:
- Nature of violation.
- Current location, direction, speed.
- Vehicle description, number of occupants.
- Check vehicle registration.
- Assess pedestrian presence and traffic conditions.
- Consider population density and road/weather conditions.
- Ensure familiarity with the area and patrol vehicle capability.
- Assess familiarity of the violator, if known.
Considerations during Pursuits:
- Consider the use of stop sticks and P.I.T.; identify a safe location for stop.
- Ensure guidance for police pursuits in municipal areas considers congestion and pedestrian safety.
- Department personnel will refrain from assuming Primary Pursuit Officer role in pursuits from other agencies unless authorized.
Pursuit Documentation:
- Pursuit Packet must include:
- All police reports, audio and visual recordings, pursuit recap (within 3 days), and use of force forms if applicable.
- Documentation completed regardless of whether the offender strikes the stop stick.
- Mandatory critique for all pursuits with property damage or physical injury.

Evidence Security Procedures:
- If evidence cannot be secured before the end of shift due to exceptional circumstances:
- Keep it in a secure location with supervisory approval.
- Ensure evidence is taken to the vault next shift.
- If the officer is going on days off, arrange for someone to secure evidence.
- Dispose of evidence within six months after satisfying legal requirements.
Incident Reporting:
- An Offense/Incident Report must be completed for any seizure of evidence or property.
- Evidence form used as the second original when dispatching evidence to the lab.
- Vehicle holds must not exceed 72 hours.
- Large quantities of narcotics to be taken to HQ within 3 days.
- Blood kits not mailed within 36 hours must be submitted as evidence.
- Evidence custodians must inventory their respective vaults every January and conduct semi-annual checks in July.

Equipment Malfunctions Reporting:
- Any equipment malfunction must be recorded in the daily log; supervisors must be notified.
Recording Protocols:
- Officers are not required to cease recording upon request.
- Reactivate recording equipment if a suspect becomes combative.
- No requirement to disclose recording equipment usage to the public.
- Recordings must not be released to other criminal justice agencies without approval from District/Bureau commander.
- Supervisors will review recordings bi-weekly.

Policy on Immigration Status:
- Officers cannot stop, detain, or question individuals solely on suspected undocumented status.
- Inquiries regarding immigration status are allowed only if the person is in custody or suspected of a non-immigration crime.
- Federal immigration officials do not need to be notified unless in cases of suspected human trafficking.
Consular Notification Obligations:
- Triggered by:
- Arrest or detention of a foreign national.
- Serious injury or death of a foreign national.
- Injury crash involving a foreign national.
Victim Protocols:
- For serious crime victims who are foreign nationals, ask if they want consular notification.
- Document nationality inquiries and use identification to verify nationality.
- Accept personal statements if no citizenship documentation is provided.
Rights of Foreign Nationals:
- Undocumented individuals also entitled to consular notification and access.
- U.S. citizens are presumed as such unless indicated otherwise.
- Dual citizens are treated as U.S. citizens