outline_use of force post approved
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety- 4180
Use of Force PSP – 29580
POST Certification II | POST Plan N/a | 4 hours
Revised 9/1/2021
Course Goal:
The course will provide the student with the minimum topics of Use of Force required in the POST
Perishable Skills Training Program (PSP). The intent of the course is to improve the student’s knowledge
of use of force laws and policies as well as critical decision-making skills. The course consists of
facilitated discussion, case study analysis, and scenarios for in-service personnel.
USE OF FORCE
Minimum Topics/ Exercises:
a. Statutory Law
b. Case Law
c. Agency Policies
d. Reverence for Human Life
e. De-Escalation
f. Duty to Intercede
g. Rendering First- Aid
h. Class Exercises/ Student Evaluations/ Testing
Course Objectives:
The student will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of use of force laws.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of individual agency’s use of force policies.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of force options decision-making with every technique and
exercise, to include:
a. Reverence for Human Life
b. De-Escalation and Verbal Commands
c. Rendering First- Aid
d. Legal Duty to Intercede and Report Excessive Force to a Superior Officer
Minimum standards of performance shall be tested by an instructor observing the trainee during their
participation in facilitated discussions, case study analysis, and scenarios. If the trainee does not meet
minimum standards, as established by the presenter, remediation will be provided until the standard is
met.
EXPANDED COURSE OUTLINE
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety- 4180
Use of Force PSP – 29580
POST Certification II | POST Plan N/a | 4 hours
Revised 9/1/2021
I. INTRODUCTION/ORIENTATION
a. Introduction, Registration and Orientation
i. Instructor/ Student Introductions
ii. Registration/Rosters
b. Course Goals and Objectives
i. Increase knowledge of use of force laws
ii. Increase knowledge of individual agency’s use of force policies
II. POLICIES AND LEGAL ISSUES V(a)
a. Statutory Law
i. Existing law
1. AB 392 – Emphasize the importance of necessity
a. “…it is the intent of the Legislature that peace officers use
deadly force only when necessary in defense of human life.”
b. “In determining whether deadly force is necessary, officers shall
evaluate each situation in light of the particular circumstances
of each case, and shall use other available resources and
techniques if reasonably safe and feasible to an objectively
reasonable officer.”
2. AB 392 – Emphasize the change in 835a that adds “totality of
circumstances” and how it can affect the reasonableness of force that is
used
a. PC 835a (facilitated discussion)
i. Objectively reasonable standard- and how it has been
defined in 835a
ii. Fleeing felons (foot/vehicle)
iii. Suicidal persons (mental health crisis)
iv. Pre-force tactics and conduct of officer/suspect
v. Discuss the difference in imminent and immediate
threat
1. Penal Code defines “Imminent” threat
2. When a reasonable officer would perceive a
present ability, opportunity, and apparent
intent to immediately cause death or serious
bodily injury.
b. PC 196
i. Homicide is justifiable when committed by peace
officers and those acting by their command in their aid
and assistance, under either of the following
circumstances:
1. In obedience to any judgment of a competent
court
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety- 4180
Use of Force PSP – 29580
POST Certification II | POST Plan N/a | 4 hours
Revised 9/1/2021
2. When the homicide results from a peace
officer’s use of force that is in compliance with
Section 835a.
ii. What’s Changed?
1. Removed “When necessarily committed in
overcoming actual resistance to the execution
of some legal process or in the discharge of any
other legal duty”
2. Removed “When necessarily committed in
retaking felons who have been rescued or have
escaped, or when necessarily committed in
arresting persons charged with felony and who
are fleeing from justice or resisting such arrest”
iii. SB230
c. Pending legislation
b. Case Law V(b)
i. Foundational cases
1. Graham v. Connor
2. Tennessee v. Garner
3. Hayes v. City of San Diego
ii. Pending cases
c. Agency’s Use of Force Policy V(c)
i. Agency’s existing policy
ii. How has the policy changed in recent years?
iii. How does this affect how officers do the job?
iv. Officer’s responsibility to notify supervisor following use of force
v. Supervisor’s responsibility following a notification
III. REVERENCE FOR HUMAN LIFE AND DUTY TO INTERCEDE
a. Reverence for Human Life V(d,f)
i. What does “reverence for human life” mean?
ii. How is this applied to the use of force?
b. Duty to Intercede (Penal Code 135.19.10(b)(2), Penal Code 7286(b)(8))
i. What is a “duty to intercede?”
1. Bystander officer liability
2. What is the stigma around this?
3. How do we break the stigma?
4. How does this reflect your personal and organizational core values?
ii. What is your responsibility as a peace officer to intervene?
1. To the public?
2. To fellow officer(s)?
3. To Self?
4. To organization?
iii. What are the consequences and liabilities?
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety- 4180
Use of Force PSP – 29580
POST Certification II | POST Plan N/a | 4 hours
Revised 9/1/2021
1. Criminal
2. Civil
3. Administrative
4. Moral/Ethical
iv. How do you recognize when to intercede?
v. Agency’s policy on duty to intercede
1. What is your responsibility to report to a supervisor?
2. Has the policy changed in recent years?
3. What is the policy on retaliation?
c. Rendering First- Aid V(g)
i. What is your responsibility to render first aid?
ii. How does one deem when it is safe to render first-aid?
iii. Discuss agency policy regarding handcuffing techniques when rendering aid to
subjects who are severely injured or possibly deceased.
iv. Agency’s policy on rendering first-aid
IV. De-Escalation and verbal commands V(e)
a. De-Escalation
i. What is it?
ii. How is it used?
iii. What are the key components and considerations?
b. Verbal Communications versus Verbal Commands
i. How does verbal communication fit in as a force option?
ii. How is it used as a tool for de-escalation?
iii. How might either verbal communication or commands affect the outcome of a
situation?
c. Control the environment
i. Tactical pause
ii. Slow down
iii. Gather information
iv. Develop a plan
v. Time + Distance = Options
d. Making Sound Decisions
i. What is important right now?
ii. Set priorities
iii. Think through your choices
iv. Make sound decisions
V. (Learning Activity and Assessment) Class exercises and student evaluations/testing V(h)
a. Scenarios
i. Practice engaging in potential use of force situations via active process
1. Disruptive/defiant student
2. Fight in progress
3. Excessive/potentially excessive use of force
4. Person with disability
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety- 4180
Use of Force PSP – 29580
POST Certification II | POST Plan N/a | 4 hours
Revised 9/1/2021
5. Language/ cultural barrier
ii. Individual or small group case study review
iii. Discussion of case studies
iv. Participation in role play scenarios
1. Observation of role play scenarios
b. Debrief of role play scenarios using the following lenses:
i. Department policy/ legal standards
ii. Procedural Justice- How did the response demonstrate procedural justice?
iii. Tactics
c. Evaluation of potential use of force situations via demonstration
i. Evaluation role play scenarios
ii. Feedback from peers
iii. Feedback and debrief from instructors using the following lenses:
1. Department policy/legal standards
2. Procedural justice- How did the response demonstrate procedural
justice?
3. Tactics