Manual of Policy and Procedures — Chapter 10: Force Policy

Los Santos County Sheriff's Department. Printed: 4/2/1996.

3-10/000.00 — Preamble

The Department is committed to preserving human life and dignity while upholding the Constitution and the law. Force may only be used when it is objectively reasonable, proportional, and reasonably necessary to defend life, effect an arrest, prevent escape, or overcome resistance. Force against vulnerable persons — children, elderly, pregnant, disabled, or those with mental health needs — is a last resort.

3-10/004.00 — Use of Force (Quick Guide)

Deputies should match or exceed the level of force presented by a suspect. General rule:

• Use equal force or one level higher than the suspect.
• Solo deputy vs. armed/aggressive suspect → service pistol should be drawn.
• Multiple deputies on scene → at least one deputy should maintain higher force readiness.

3-10/020.00 — Use of Force Policy

Force must be proportional and objectively reasonable. Factors to consider:

• Immediacy of the threat to deputies or the public
• Severity of the crime
• Active resistance or attempts to flee
• Whether the subject was given a chance to comply
• Feasibility of de-escalation
• Surroundings and risk to bystanders
• Age, size, strength, disability, mental health, or intoxication of the subject
• Number of deputies available
• Deputy's fatigue or injury level
• Environmental conditions (lighting, terrain, crowds, etc.)

Key rules: minimize unnecessary injury to deputies and civilians; do not use physical force on restrained individuals unless necessary to prevent escape, property destruction, or imminent injury.

3-10/035.00 — Retaliatory Force — Prohibited

Force used as punishment or retaliation is strictly prohibited — even against suspects who flee, resist, assault deputies, or disrespect Department members.

3-10/055.00 — Firearms at Vehicles

Do not fire at a vehicle or its occupants unless someone inside is threatening deadly force by means other than the vehicle itself. A moving vehicle alone does not justify deadly force. Do not stand or stay in the path of a moving vehicle — move to safety.

Any deviation is reviewed case-by-case using tactical principles including: cover/tactical relocation, safe distance, incident command, coordinated personnel placement, viable target acquisition, background and bystander safety, crossfire awareness, controlled fire and ammo management.

3-10/065.00 — Improvised Weapons or Techniques

In rare emergencies where approved tools are not available or won't work, deputies may use improvised weapons or techniques. Any such use must still be objectively reasonable, proportional, and necessary given the circumstances.

3-10/118.00 — Performance Standards — Use of Force

A deputy's performance before, during, and after a use of force is evaluated for compliance with policy, procedures, and training. Tactical considerations reviewed include: approach of subject or vehicle, de-escalation efforts, cover and concealment, distance and field of fire, fire discipline and target acquisition, incident command and coordination, foot and vehicle pursuits, warning shots, partner splitting, shooting backdrop and crossfire. Failure to comply with policy and training may result in discipline.

3-10/150.00 — Tactical Incidents

All deputies must apply sound tactical principles in any tactical incident — including stops, pursuits, building searches, barricaded suspects, hostage situations, and active shooters. Use de-escalation when safe and reasonable. All decisions must be clearly articulable.

The Six C's guide every tactical incident:

• COMMAND — Direct the actions of others
• CONTAIN — Isolate and apprehend
• CONTROL — Coordinate deputy actions
• COMMUNICATE — Share info by any means
• COORDINATE — Organize all personnel at scene
• CONTINGENCY — Have a backup plan

A 7th C — CRITIQUE (Debrief): Conduct a debrief after every incident. Timely, attended by all involved, facilitated by a supervisor when appropriate. Analyze what worked and what didn't.

High-Risk/Armed Suspects: be cautiously persistent. When in doubt, chase to contain rather than chase to apprehend.

Key Tactical Terms

Term	Definition
Concealment	Hides you from view but does not stop bullets.
Cover	Protects you from bullets. Effectiveness depends on threat's weapon.
Cover Fire	Controlled fire at an imminent lethal threat. Only when deadly force is legally justified.
Cross Fire	When deputies' fields of fire overlap a common target — avoid this.
Danger Area	Limited cover, limited escape routes; gives adversary the advantage (doorways, alleys, stairwells).
Designated Shooter	Deputy assigned to cover a specific threat while others perform tasks requiring holstered weapons.
Field of Fire	The lane between shooter and target, including ricochet paths.
Fire Discipline	Controlled, measured fire (2–3 round bursts) with constant target reassessment.
Independent Action	Acting outside a plan without communicating with partners — avoid unless necessary.
Kill Zone	Area of concentrated fire to neutralize an adversary.
Partner Splitting	Separation during a foot pursuit where partners can no longer immediately assist each other — dangerous, avoid.
Point of Aim	Where the muzzle is directed and the round intended to hit.
Shooting Backdrop	Area behind the target that may be hit — always consider bystanders.
Sight Alignment	Front sight even with rear sight, equal light on both sides. Combat: front sight blade only, used under 15 ft.
Tactical Dilemma	Forcing the suspect into a position where surrender is likely and resistance is futile.
Tactical Position of Advantage	Position that maximizes your ability to control, monitor, or engage a threat safely.
Target Acquisition	Identifying a specific threat and placing it within point of aim.

3-10/410.00 — Deputy Responsibilities (Shooting Incident)

• First report: brief description of initial contact + statement that a shooting occurred. Do NOT detail why.
• All deputies involved (except shooters/witnesses) write supplemental reports of their actions.
• Immediately canvass for witnesses; complete canvass cards for Homicide.
• Do not write civilian witness statements unless the witness is leaving and cannot return — record the interview if possible.

3-10/420.00 — Supervisor Responsibilities (Shooting Incident)

• Ensure injured are cared for, suspects secured, scene protected.
• Transport involved deputies to station via uninvolved deputies.
• Identify all civilian witnesses; attempt to transport them (except immediate family) to station for Homicide interviews.
• No one interviews involved deputies until Homicide arrives. Keep witnesses separated.

Important: Deputies who have wounded or killed someone must have a Department member remain with them until Homicide arrives.

Deputies with minor injuries: stay in current attire and postpone cleanup until photographed.

Watch Commander: assign a liaison; avoid discussing facts with involved personnel. All notifications are verbal only — no written notifications to media, dignitaries, or any personnel.

Unit Commander: maintain adequate supply of "Deputy Involved Shooting Information and Resources" pamphlets.

Area Commander: complete the "Deputy Involved Shooting Commander's Checklist." Submit to division chief/director by the first business day after the incident.

3-10/450.00 — Professional Standards Division (PSD)

The IAB Force/Shooting Response Team conducts administrative reviews of all shootings. In cases with wounded or killed persons, IAB cooperates with Homicide to gather facts.

3-10/500.00 — Deputy-Involved Shootings — No One Hit

• Scene preservation procedures still apply.
• Involved deputies report to station and write a detailed report covering: circumstances leading to the encounter, threats faced, and why deadly force was chosen.
• No interviews until the report is complete.
• IAB conducts an administrative review of all misses.
• Accidental discharges or animal shootings: follow on-call IAB lieutenant's direction.

3-10/600.00 — Vehicle Pursuits

Vehicle pursuits present significant danger to the public, deputies, pedestrians, and all other road users. Pursuits are permitted only when the necessity of immediate apprehension outweighs the danger created by the pursuit. Deputies must constantly weigh public safety against the law enforcement need to apprehend.

What Is a Pursuit? A pursuit is an active attempt by a departmental vehicle to stop a moving vehicle whose driver is evading apprehension through evasive tactics, or who fails to stop after a reasonably short period following activation of red lights and siren. Following a vehicle that fails to yield — with or without lights and siren — is also a pursuit, regardless of what terminology is used.

3-10/600.02 — Initiating a Pursuit

A pursuit may be initiated only for:

• Violent felony offenses (e.g., assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, homicide)
• Confirmed grand theft vehicle
• Any offense where the suspect poses an immediate, articulable threat to public safety

Do NOT initiate a pursuit for situations where the risk to the public clearly outweighs the need for immediate apprehension. Before initiating, when practical, close the distance to the vehicle before activating lights and siren.

All initiating deputies must be prepared to clearly articulate objective reasons for initiating, continuing, and terminating the pursuit to their Watch Commander.

3-10/600.10 — Control and Communication

The initiating deputy is the primary unit and must immediately provide the Watch Commander (via SCC) with: location, direction of travel, and speed of the pursued vehicle; description of the vehicle and suspect(s); reason for the pursuit; road and traffic conditions; any use of firearms or officer safety factors.

No passing: deputies shall not attempt to pass other units involved in the pursuit without specific permission from the unit being passed.

Supervisor's role: the field sergeant shall acknowledge and actively monitor the pursuit, respond to the terminus, oversee post-pursuit tactics, and ensure all Department policies — especially force and tactics — are followed.

3-10/600.05 — Terminating a Pursuit

A pursuit shall be terminated when any of the following apply:

• Unreasonable danger to the deputy or other road users
• Weather, visibility, road, or traffic conditions create unwarranted risk to bystanders or personnel
• The suspect can be identified and apprehension can be more safely made at a later time
• The primary unit loses sight of the pursued vehicle and visual contact is not immediately regained (momentary loss around a corner does not count)
• The only reason for the pursuit is a reported stolen vehicle, after a reasonably short time
• The suspect enters a freeway or one-way street going the wrong way
• Insufficient information exists to confirm the suspect is wanted for an approved offense
• On urban/suburban streets: speeds exceeding 20 mph over the posted speed limit, absent a violent felony or articulable need to continue

When terminated: all units cease Code 3 operations, obey all traffic laws, and immediately return to their assigned areas. Do not attempt to relocate or re-engage the vehicle unless re-engagement is authorized.

3-10/600.15 — Driving Tactics

Do not pursue on the wrong side of a freeway or one-way street against traffic. If the suspect goes wrong-way, only the primary unit can pursue; the rest will maintain visual contact from the correct side, request units to monitor exits, and coordinate with Aero Bureau.

Roadblocks are generally ineffective and counter-productive — do not use them unless there is no viable alternative. Spike strips and other Department-approved pursuit termination technologies may be deployed by qualified deputies with Watch Commander authorization.

3-10/600.17 — Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT)

The PIT is a low-speed maneuver designed to cause the suspect vehicle to spin out and stop. Key rules:

• Pursuits are primarily following actions — PIT is a last resort, not a default tactic.
• PIT may only be used when the Watch Commander authorizes it and injury is unlikely, with minimal property damage.
• If PIT causes damage to either vehicle, it is not classified as a traffic collision but must be documented by the supervisor using the required incident forms.
• The boxing-in tactic (surrounding the vehicle with units and slowing to a stop) may be authorized by the Watch Commander during prolonged slow-speed pursuits — never use if the suspect may be armed, as it creates a cross-fire situation.

3-10/600.12 — Aero Bureau & Surveillance Mode

SCC shall immediately request an Aero Bureau unit upon pursuit initiation. Once Aero establishes visual contact and notifies SCC: radio broadcast and ground coordination transfer to the Aero unit; all ground units except the primary and three back-up units shall cease Code 3 and obey traffic laws.

Surveillance Mode may be ordered by the Watch Commander, primary unit, Aero unit, or any supervisor when the pursuit becomes unreasonably dangerous. In Surveillance Mode: all ground units disengage, reduce speed, and allow Aero to monitor. If the vehicle does not slow to normal traffic speed within a reasonably short time, the operation shall be discontinued.

3-10/600.20 — Use of Firearms During Pursuits

Refer to 3-10/055.00 for the full policy on firearms and vehicles. As a reminder: the moving vehicle alone does not justify deadly force. Deputies shall not fire at a vehicle or its occupants unless a person inside poses an imminent deadly threat by means other than the vehicle's movement. Deputies shall never position themselves in the path of a moving vehicle.

3-10/600.16 — Post-Pursuit Tactics

At the terminus of the pursuit, the primary unit retains incident command for suspect apprehension and force decisions until relieved by a supervisor. All personnel at the scene shall:

• Follow tactical principles from 3-10/150.00 — develop a tactical plan, assign designated shooters, maintain fire discipline and shooting backdrop awareness.
• Once Code 4 is broadcast, no additional deputies respond to the terminus unless specifically requested.
• Assisting units already present vacate the area once their specific mission is complete.

The Field Sergeant responds to the terminus (Code 3 if necessary), oversees post-pursuit tactics, and identifies all deputies who participated in or responded to the terminus. All personnel involved in the pursuit must immediately report their involvement to the on-scene field supervisor.

3-10/600.30 — Reporting & Accountability

• All initiating deputies, supervisors, and Watch Commanders must provide objective, articulable reasons for initiating, continuing, and terminating every pursuit to their Unit Commander.
• All personnel involved in a pursuit will be held accountable for their role in continuing a pursuit when circumstances indicated it should have been terminated.
• All sworn members shall certify in writing that they have received, read, and understand the pursuit policy. Regular training on this policy is mandatory.