SOP-10 Use of Force and TaserPolice Services Division
SOP -10
March 1, 2010
SUBJECT: Use of Force & Taser Report Forms and Data Base Requirements.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
To establish a standard procedure for identifying and documenting reportable uses of force and
Taser usage for data base collection. This SOP is designed to complement our Departments USE
OF FORCE POLICY # 300 and TASER POLICY #309. The information will allow the agency
to track trends in potential violent criminal activity towards our officers. The information can be
utilized by Supervisors and Department Trainers (i.e. DT & Range Instructors) to help develop
training with current information on the types of situations our officers are encountering and how
to mitigate them effectively.
The Taser form is designed to be paperless and can be completed electronically and sent as an e-
mail attachment to streamline the process.
The following procedures outline the proper steps in completing the i -leads "M.O." Box for "Use
of Force" and Taser form including sending them to the required persons:
I. REPORTABLE FORCE DEFINED:
1. Officers (including K9's) use force and a person is injured; or,
2. Officers strike a person with a personal body weapon (i.e. fist, elbow, foot, etc.) or,
3. Officers use (not merely display) a department issued weapon (i.e. taser type
device, baton, chemical agents, less -lethal impact projectile, firearm, flashlight, etc.)
II. DOCUMENTATION PROCEDURES AND FORM LOCATIONS
A. All "Use of Force" incidents as described above will be documented in the "M.O.
Box" in our i -leads reporting system. The Taser reporting form for all Taser incidents
(including just a display) is located on the "S" Drive in the file titled "Forms". In that
folder you will see a file titled "Taser Forms". The Taser Data Base will be used to
conform to our Taser Policy and track all usage of this tool. It is not considered as part of
the "Use of Force" Data Base. (Remember, Taser Usage will have to be documented
in both areas if the Taser was actually discharged against a Suspect and not just
displayed in some manner.) Display only would not be entered into the M.O. Box since
it is not considered a "Use of Force".
B. In the event a Taser incident occurs save a copy of the blank forms to your "H"
drive. Leave the "S" Drive Form blank. Fill out the information boxes on the form as
completely as possible
III. FORWARDING AND APPROVAL OF BOTH FORMS
The Officer involved in the Use of Force or Taser Usage shall complete the necessary
reporting requirements of the "M.O. Box" and forms electronically. The Taser Form shall
be attached to an e-mail and forwarded to their Sergeant / Supervisor for approval. In
some instances the Supervisor on scene or approving the report, if different from above,
should receive the forms for approval.
Taser Form Only: When a Taser is used a hardcopy of the competed "Taser Usage"
form shall be printed and given to the records division as an attachment to the crime
report as is currently done.
Sergeants / Supervisors: You are responsible to make sure the "M.O. Box" and form is
completed properly and then after your approval forwarded appropriately as described
below:
Forward approved forms to the following mail address in the address book:
"1 Use of Force and Taser Notification"
IV. DEFENSIVE TACTICS AND TASER SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
In January of each year a "Use of Force" report shall be generated capturing the
information from the prior year's incidents. A Defensive Tactics Sergeant will be
assigned the responsibility for the collection of the "Use of Force" data and the Taser
Program Sergeant will have the responsibility for entry of Taser Usage information into
the Taser Data Base. A Defensive Tactics Sergeant will be responsible for the completion
of the January report and any additional "in -year" reports may be requested as needed.
DATE ISSUED: MARCH 1, 2010