G.O. 3.01 - Use Of Force - General

Purpose

• Establishes departmental guidelines and limitations for the acceptable use of deadly and non-deadly force.

• Emphasizes protection of life/property, sanctity of human life, civil-rights compliance, and community trust.

Policy – Core Principles

• Officers shall use only the amount of force necessary, reasonable, proportional, and objectively reasonable to accomplish lawful objectives.

• Force must de-escalate as resistance/threat decreases.

• Mere officer presence may feel coercive; officers must monitor body-language and tone.

• Excessive/unauthorized force ➔ departmental discipline, possible civil/criminal liability.

• All force incidents will be thoroughly reviewed/investigated for legal and policy compliance.

Key Statutory / Case-Law Anchors

• $Graham\ v.\ Connor\ (490\ US\ 388\;\ 1989)$ – objective-reasonableness standard.

• $Tennessee\ v.\ Garner\ (471\ US\ 1\;\ 1985)$ – deadly force limits on fleeing felons.

• Numerous POSTC standards: $1.14.1 \text{–} 1.14.14$.

Definitions (selected – every term appearing in policy)

• Acting in a Law-Enforcement Capacity – on-duty OR off-duty officer asserting authority.

• Actively Resisting – bracing, tensing, pulling away, flight, pushing, etc.

• Authorized Weapons – meet departmental specs and current proficiency.

• Critical Firearm Discharge – any on-duty discharge at a human (training/animal/ range excluded).

• Deadly Force – force reasonably expected to cause death/serious physical injury.

• Deadly Weapon – firearm (loaded/unloaded) or switchblade, gravity knife, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, metal knuckles.

• De-Escalation – tactics to reduce severity of force, gain advantage, bring peaceful resolution.

• Electronic Control Weapon (ECW) – TASER-type device; non-deadly, intermediate-range.

• Exigent Circumstances – reasonable belief action needed to prevent injury, evidence destruction, escape, etc.

• Force – any physical/instrumental contact or attempted contact above minimal escort/ handcuff.

• Great Bodily Harm / Serious Physical Injury – creates substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, or long-term loss of bodily function.

• Hard-Hand Control – impact-oriented empty-hand techniques (knees, elbows, punches, kicks, control or defensive strikes). Chokeholds prohibited unless deadly force authorized.

• Imminent Threat – impending danger of death/serious injury (weapon within reach, running for cover with weapon, etc.).

• Impact Weapons – approved batons, etc., for control when lethal force not justified.

• Last Resort – only after reasonable options unavailable/failed.

• Level of Control / Resistance – force used by officer vs. force/resistance exhibited by subject.

• Mitigation – reducing danger/severity.

• Neck Restraint/Hold – arm-bar, carotid, LVR, knee on neck, etc.; treated as deadly force.

• Necessary – no effective alternative exists.

• Non-Deadly Force – not reasonably expected to cause death.

• Non-verbal / Verbal Non-Compliance – stated or gestured refusal.

• Objectively Reasonable Force – judged from standpoint of reasonable officer on scene (Graham factors).

• Officer-Created Jeopardy – needless positioning that drives need for deadly force.

• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray – inflammatory agent; non-deadly.

• Passive Resistance – non-violent refusal (e.g., sit-in).

• Positional Asphyxia – oxygen deficiency due to body position.

• Proportional Force – matches resistance/threat.

• Reasonable / Reasonable Belief – sound, fair, sensible judgment under circumstances.

• Soft-Hand Control – pain-compliance, takedowns, joint-locks, escort holds.

• Unreasonable Force / Risk – inconsistent with policy or law / unwarranted exposure.

• Verbal Commands – clear directions, persuasion, warnings.

• Weapon – any instrument readily capable of causing death/serious injury, incl. vehicles.

General Procedures (Section IV)

A. General Guidelines

• Use advisements/warnings first where possible.

• De-escalate immediately as resistance falls.

• Prefer disengagement, containment, surveillance, waiting, reinforcements, specialized units when feasible.

• Allow time for voluntary compliance before force if circumstances permit.

B. Authorized Purposes for Force

1. Effect arrest / prevent escape of person reasonably believed to have committed offense.

2. Defense of self/others from use or imminent use of physical force.

3. Protective custody (danger to self/others, intoxication, runaways).

4. Prevent suicide/self-harm.

5. Assist physician/psychologist with necessary treatment.

6. Overcome passive/active resistance to lawful order.

7. Neutralize unlawful assault.

• Force ends when resistance ceases or objective met.

• Absolutely prohibited: torture, cruel, inhumane, degrading treatment.

C. Verbal Warning

• Identify as police and issue commands/warnings when tactically feasible.

• Not required if split-second decision or safety jeopardized by warning.

D. De-Escalation / Mitigation Techniques

• Non-threatening tone, active listening, slow incident pace, wait-out strategy, increase distance/cover, allow movement/questions, tactical repositioning, request resources.

• Employ only when safe; do not delay protective measures when immediate risk exists.

E. Factors Before Using Physical Force

1. Immediacy of threat.

2. Severity of crime/circumstances.

3. Nature/duration of subject actions.

4. Active resistance?

5. Flight risk?

6. Numbers – subjects v. officers.

7. Size/condition differences.

8. Age/health of subject.

9. Violent history.

10. Hostile crowd?

11. Influence of drugs/alcohol.

F. Safe Positioning

• Keep restrained persons seated/on side; avoid prone positions that risk positional asphyxia.

Deadly Force

G. Authorization (Defense of Human Life)

• Last resort, must be reasonable, necessary.

• Warning of intent to use deadly force when feasible.

• Permitted when officer reasonably believes:

  1. Necessary to defend self/others from imminent threat of death/serious injury.

  2. To arrest/prevent escape of person believed to have committed/attempted a felony involving serious injury AND subject still poses significant threat, no reasonable alternatives exist, no unreasonable risk to bystanders.

H. Restrictions

1. Firearm Discharge Prohibited: warning shots, defense of property, to summon aid (except emergency).

2. Property Protection – no deadly force solely to protect property.

3. Suicidal Subject – cannot use deadly force if threat only to self.

4. Moving Vehicles

   • Generally prohibited to shoot at/from moving vehicles unless deadly force needed to counter imminent threat other than the vehicle (e.g., firearm from within) or vehicle used as a lethal weapon (driving into crowd).

   • Officers should avoid positioning in vehicle path; move to safety when possible.

5. Risk to Bystanders – must consider backdrop; prohibited if greater risk to innocents.

6. Pointing Weapons – only when objectively reasonable that situation may escalate to deadly force. Must be documented as use of force.

7. Animals – may use deadly force for public-safety threat or humane dispatch; seek supervisor approval when possible.

8. Training/Competition – firearms use limited to range, training, authorized events.

9. Impairment – no firearm carry/use while under influence.

10. Security/Storage – firearms secured from unauthorized persons on/off duty; no public access.

Non-Deadly Force

• Only departmental weapons/techniques with current training/certification may be used.

1. Authorized Use

a. Prevent escape or effect arrest when reasonable belief of offense.
b. Protect self/others from active resistance.

2. Restrictions

a. Chokeholds/neck restraints only when deadly force authorized.
b. Impact weapon strikes to head/neck only when deadly force authorized.
c. Improvised weapons (flashlights/radios) discouraged; acceptable only if sudden escalation and objectively reasonable.
d. Force against handcuffed persons only to prevent imminent harm, escape, or overcome passive resistance when removal necessary.

3. Duty to Intervene

• Officers must act to stop and must report unreasonable/excessive/illegal force.

• Retaliation is prohibited.

• Exemptions: undercover status, exigent barriers.

• Failure or impediments must be documented promptly.

4. Impact Weapons

• Use when confronted with actual/imminent active aggression.

• Limbs = non-deadly; head/neck = deadly-force threshold.

5. Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Spray

• Alternative to physical control; justify and articulate usage.

6. Electronic Control Weapon (ECW)

• When other non-deadly options ineffective/likely ineffective; subject actively resisting or fleeing and poses imminent threat.

Training & Qualifications

• POSTC standard curriculum; annual re-certification.

• Annual in-service on lethal weapons & policy/case-law.

• Biennial re-qualification on impact weapons, OC, ECW, control techniques.

• Document all training; remedial instruction until proficiency; no duty with weapon until qualified.

Medical Aid

• Provide first aid and request EMS for any visible injury, complaint of injury, distress, or exposure to firearm, impact weapons/projectiles, ECW, OC, or K-9.

• Document refusals of treatment; photograph injuries when warranted.

Use-of-Force Reporting System

Reportable Incidents

1. Any strike (hands/elbows/knees/kicks/baton).

2. Use of OC, ECW, less-lethal projectile.

3. Chokehold/neck restraint.

4. Pointing firearm/less-lethal launcher/ECW laser.

5. Any firearm discharge other than training/testing/animal dispatch.

6. Any action causing or alleged to cause injury/death.

7. Any force likely to cause serious physical injury $\big( C.G.S.\ 53a\text{-}3 \big)$.

• Complete electronic POSTC Use of Force Form (one per subject).

• Deadly force or death cases investigated by Chief State’s Attorney Inspector General.

Workflow

1. Officer – notify supervisor ASAP; complete report before end of tour unless extension granted (serious injury/death).

2. Shift Supervisor – ensure completeness/accuracy; sign; forward to Training & Selections Supervisor ➔ Deputy Chief.

3. Deputy Chief – policy compliance review; determine need for further investigation; recommend equipment/training/policy changes; consult instructors.

4. Training Sergeant – annual analysis of all use-of-force data ➔ Chief of Police.

5. Maintain record of any reported unreasonable/excessive/illegal force (officer names, date/time/location, circumstances, victims/witnesses).

Post-Event Deadly Force Review

• Determine consistency with policy/state law.

• Factors considered include:
  a. Did subject possess/appear to possess deadly weapon?
  b. Did officer use reasonable de-escalation before deadly force?
  c. Did officer’s unreasonable conduct create or heighten risk?

• Evaluation not limited to listed factors.

Weapons Maintenance & Accountability

• Armorer keeps master list/inventory; annual updates with firearm locations.

• Pre-issuance inspection for functionality.

• At each training session: verify assignment, working order, accurate records.

• Same procedures for off-duty authorized weapons.

• Unsafe weapons turned in immediately; replacement firearms available.

These notes capture every major and minor element of Norwich Police Department General Order $3.01$ on Use of Force, mirroring definitions, procedures, authorizations, restrictions, training, medical, reporting, review, and equipment accountability provisions. They integrate statutory and case-law anchors, highlight ethical/constitutional considerations, and contextualize policy clauses for study and exam preparation.