E.P.P. 002
LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE
NUMBER: EPP – 2
SUBJECT: WEAPONS POLICY
EFFECTIVE: DECEMBER 13, 2001
REVISED: JULY 1, 2023
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I. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy and procedure is to establish criteria for the issuance,
carrying, use and care of lethal, less-lethal, and non-lethal weapons by police officers.
II. SCOPE:
Only that degree of force necessary to accomplish lawful objectives, and not to use of
force against any person except when necessary, is authorized for purposes of self-
defense, in defense of another, to overcome physical resistance to arrest, or to prevent
the escape of an arrested person.
III. GENERAL:
Lethal, less-lethal, and non-lethal weapons will be issued to an officer only after he/she
has demonstrated proficiency in the use of agency-authorized weapons, and has met
any additional training requirements for carrying such weapons, and only after said
weapons meet the approval specifications as defined by this directive. All lethal
weapons will be thoroughly inspected and approved prior to issuance by the
department’s armorer, or designated training officer if the weapon is a non-lethal
weapon. Only firearms and ammunition meeting agency approval are permitted for use
in the performance of duty.
IV. SECURITY OF WEAPONS:
A. All weapons, including ammunition magazines, will be secured in provided
lockers or within a vehicle’s trunk area before an officer enters the controlled
interior of:
1. The John E. Polk Correctional Facility;
2. Holding cell areas of the Seminole County Courthouse; and,
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3. Holding cells at the Juvenile Assessment Center.
B. All firearms will be removed from the occupant compartments of police
department vehicles when the employee is off-duty and not operating the
vehicle.
C. When a vehicle is to be left at a repair facility for maintenance, unattended by
the employee who has custody, all weapons will be removed by the employee.
D. Officers will safely secure all police department weapons to prevent access by
unauthorized persons, and in compliance with all applicable state laws.
V. AUTHORITY TO CARRY WEAPONS:
Police officers of the Longwood Police Department are authorized to wear and carry
weapons approved by the chief, subject to the following rules, regulations, and
limitations:
A. Full-time police officers are authorized to wear and carry firearms
approved by the chief while on or off duty in accordance with Chapters 790.051
and 790.052, Florida State Statutes. Full-time officers are not authorized to
carry less-lethal weapons off duty.
B. Reserve police officers are authorized to wear and carry firearms approved by
the chief while on duty. Written permission from the chief of police is required
to carry a firearm off duty. Reserve officers are not authorized to carry less-
lethal weapons off duty.
VI. TRAINING & QUALIFICATION:
A. The training coordinator will schedule no less than one mandatory firearms
qualification session for officers each year. Each officer will be required to
successfully complete an agency approved qualification course for each
department issued firearm. Officers will also be required to complete an agency
approved qualification course for any off-duty or back-up firearm annually.
Additional firearm training sessions may be scheduled at the discretion of the
chief. Officers will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
B. The training will be in accordance with the training specifications as defined by
the Enforcement Policy & Procedure ‘Response to Resistance.’
C. In the event of any negligent or unintentional discharge of a firearm, an involved
officer will be re-certified (re-qualified) by an F.D.L.E. certified firearms
instructor prior to returning to duty.
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VII. RECORDS OF WEAPONS:
A. The police department armorer shall retain a record of all issued and approved
to carry firearms. Copies of the manufacturer, model, caliber, and serial
numbers of all issued and approved firearms will be submitted by the armorer
within five working days to the training coordinator for inclusion in department
training records.
B. All issued firearm serial numbers shall be verified during annual firearms
qualifications.
VIII. DISARMAMENT:
Officers should not become disarmed in a hostile environment.
A. The danger to the officer is not necessarily reduced by surrendering his/her
weapon to the demands of an armed suspect.
B. Surrendering a weapon may mean giving away an officer’s only chance for
survival. Every tactical tool available should be used to avoid surrendering a
weapon.
IX. AUTHORIZED FIREARMS & ACCESSORIES:
A. Ammunition:
1. Only ammunition issued or approved by the Longwood Police
Department is authorized for use in firearms issued or approved for use
by the chief.
2. The following ammunition is approved for use in police department
issued firearms:
a) Factory produced 9 mm, .40 cal. or .45 acp, 115-230 grain JHP
or a ‘Ranger SXT 9 mm, .40 cal or .45 acp.’;
b) Factory produced 12 Gauge 2 ¾ inch or 3 inch shells 00 Buck;
c) Factory produced 12 Gauge 2 ¾ inch or 3 inch shells rifled slug;
d) Factory produced CTS 12 Gauge Super Sock less-lethal
munitions;
e) Factory produced .223 cal. 55 grain FMJ ballistic tip (BT) rifle
ammunition;
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f) Factory produced 7.62 mm FMJ ballistic tip (BT) rifle
ammunition.
3. Ammunition for ‘off-duty’ or secondary firearms will meet the following
criteria:
a) .22 Caliber – 22 LR 40 Grain hollow point
b) .25 Caliber – 25 ACP 50 Grain hollow point
c) .32 Caliber – 50 Grain hollow point
d) .380 Caliber – 380 ACP 90 JHP
e) 38 Special – 38 Special 110 Grain JHP
f) .357 Caliber – 357 130 – 160 Grain JHP
g) 9 mm – 9 mm 115 – 147 Grain SXT or JHP
h) 40 S&W Caliber – 40 SW 135 – 180 Grain SXT or JHP
i) .45 Caliber – 45 ACP 165 – 230 Grain SXT or JHP
B. Shotguns:
1. Shotguns of a semi-auto or pump action design with a barrel length of
18 inches or 20 inches, and chambered for 12 gauge ammunition which
are issued by the armory of this department.
2. The following accessories for shotguns are authorized:
a) Sling and swivels;
b) Rifle sights;
c) Spare ammunition carrier (sidesaddle or elastic);
d) Flashlight attachment;
e) Synthetic stock/forearm;
f) Pistol grip;
g) Folding stock;
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h) Orange synthetic stock and fore grip (for less-lethal only).
3. Deployment:
a) Shotguns are to be carried in the ‘cruiser ready’ position:
nothing is to be carried in the chamber; the action will be
closed; the trigger will be pulled to drop the hammer and unlock
the action (double check by both visual and physical means to
be certain that the chamber is empty before pulling the trigger.
In addition, the shotgun shall be pointed down in a safe
direction when the trigger is pulled); the safety may be carried
either ‘on’ or ‘off’ at the discretion of the officer; and issued
service ammunition will be loaded in the magazine.
b) A round may be chambered upon exiting the vehicle with the
safety in the ‘on’ position. In the case of less-lethal dedicated
shotguns, officers will visually inspect the round prior to
chambering to ensure the presence of less-lethal ammunition
only.
c) When deployed outside the vehicle, the shotgun shall be carried
in the ‘low ready’ position. The safety will be in the ‘on’ position
at all times and fingers kept outside of the trigger guard until
the shotgun is to be intentionally discharged.
d) Department issued shotguns are only authorized for on-duty
use.
C. Handgun (Issued) – (Primary):
1. The following type and model of handguns are issued:
a) Glock model 21SF (.45acp)
b) Glock model 36 (.45acp)
2. On-duty, primary-use handguns will be inspected, approved, and issued
by the police department armorer at the direction of the chief of police.
They are authorized for off-duty carrying in accordance with Florida
State Statutes.
D. Handgun (Personally owned and off-duty use):
1. Only semi-automatic handguns meeting all of the following criteria will
be considered for authorized off-duty use:
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a) Double action only or double action first round, single action
second round (transition trigger);
b) A manual de-cocking device is required unless the firearm is
double action only;
c) External manual safety, with applicable factory configuration;
d) 9 mm, .40 caliber, or .45 caliber for use as a primary weapon in
uniform duty;
e) Must be of .380, 9 mm, .40 caliber, or .45 caliber for
plainclothes use (additional caliber approval will depend upon
the requirement of the situation);
f) Must have a firing pin lock mechanism.
2. Revolvers can be carried as off-duty weapons if they are a .38 or .357
caliber and are not single action only.
3. An officer desiring to carry a personally owned handgun in place of the
issued firearm must:
a) Apply in writing to the chief of police for approval;
b) Successfully complete the CJSTC approved course of fire with
the approved firearm. Said qualification must be instructed by
an F.D.L.E. certified firearms instructor approved by the chief of
police.
c) Have the department armorer inspect and approve the handgun
intended to be carried;
4. A copy of the chief’s written approval for an officer to carry a personally
owned handgun will be retained by the officer and the department
armorer. When an approved firearm is sold or disposed of by the
officer, the officer will submit a written statement of disposal or sale to
the department armorer.
E. Secondary Handgun:
1. Secondary handguns are small, easily concealed handguns that are
carried in addition to any on or off-duty handgun. Secondary handguns
may be a revolver or semi-automatic pistol, with a caliber of .22 Long
rifle, .25, .32, .380, .38 Special, .357, 9 mm, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, or .45
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A.C.P. and must meet the requirements listed in the above paragraph
‘D’, sub paragraphs 2-4.
2. Secondary handguns may be carried with the understanding that the
handgun is to be used only in cases of a loss of the primary firearm,
complete malfunction of the primary firearm, or complete expenditure
of carried ammunition for the primary firearm.
3. Barrel lengths of secondary firearms shall not exceed 3.5 inches for
concealment purposes.
4. Secondary firearms shall be carried on an officer’s person, completely
and safely concealed to prevent loss or accidental discharge.
5. An officer desiring to carry a secondary firearm must demonstrate
his/her knowledge and proficiency in the use of the weapon to a
department firearms instructor.
F. Rifles:
1. AR-15, M-16, Mini-14, Mini-30, M-1 Carbine, or M-14 rifles may be
issued to personnel at the direction of the chief of police. Accessories
for such weapons are dependent upon their designed use and shall be
used with the weapon only with the approval of the chief.
2. Deployment:
a) Rifles shall be carried and deployed in the same manner as
shotguns.
b) Only officers who have satisfactorily completed an approved
course of instruction and qualified with a rifle may deploy a rifle
while on duty.
c) Issued rifles are only authorized for on-duty use.
G. Holsters:
1. With the exception of concealed secondary handguns, all issued and
personally owned on-duty and off-duty handguns must be carried in a
holster.
2. Only those holsters which incorporate a minimum of one security
feature including a design which covers the handguns trigger guard or
hammer is authorized for use.
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3. Only those holsters issued or a comparable safety style, are authorized
for use for primary handguns by officers in uniform.
X. FIREARM MAINTENANCE:
A. All firearms shall be kept clean, lubricated as recommended by the
manufacturer, and in proper working order.
B. Beyond what is necessary for routine field striping, cleaning and maintenance,
only the armorer, or a civilian gunsmith approved by the armorer, may
disassemble an issued or approved firearm.
1. In the absence or unavailability of the police department armorer,
authority for emergency gunsmith repairs may be made by the officer’s
division supervisor.
2. Authorized repairs will be specified on a repair order submitted to the
gunsmith.
C. No modification or alteration to any issued or approved firearm or ammunition
will be made without prior consent and approval from a department armorer
and the chief.
D. The date and description of all repairs, modifications, or alterations of issued or
approved firearms and ammunition shall be recorded in the respective firearm
record maintained by the armorer.
XI. INSPECTION:
A. Supervisors will conduct periodic visual inspections of all issued or approved
weapons, as defined in the general order titled ‘Quality Assurance.’ Less-lethal
weapons will be inspected, at a minimum, annually to ensure expiration dates
are not exceeded.
B. Weapons instructors will inspect all issued or approved weapons and will verify
firearm serial numbers during weapons qualifications. Inspection and training
records and scores will be copied by the range master in charge of a
qualification session and submitted to the training coordinator for inclusion in
department training records.
C. Any weapon determined to be unsafe during an inspection conducted by a
supervisor, weapons instructor, armorer, or the officer to whom it is issued shall
be immediately removed from service for repair or disposal.
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1. If the weapon is a firearm, the armorer shall be contacted as soon as
practicable by the officer in regard to scheduling a date and time for
official inspection, repair, or replacement.
2. If the weapon is a non-lethal weapon, a designated weapons instructor
shall be contacted as soon as practicable by the officer to schedule a
date and time for official inspection, repair or replacement.
3. The weapon removed from service will be replaced with a similar
weapon with which the officer may be required to be re-certified or re-
trained prior to resuming official duties in which the weapon is
required.
4. Only issued or approved weapons will be replaced by the armorer (or
designated training officer if the weapon is a non-lethal weapon.)
XII. NON-UNIFORM OFFICERS:
A. All non-uniformed officers, unless specially authorized by a supervisor for a
specific duty assignment, should carry firearms concealed from public view; in
accordance with General Order 16.
B. A non-uniformed officer is any officer whose job description does not require a
police uniform to be worn in the execution of their primary police duties. This
includes any officer who is on duty not wearing a uniform and is performing a
police function.
1. All department issued firearms and other authorized issued non-lethal
weapons are to be carried concealed by non-uniformed officers, unless
authorized by a supervisor for a specific duty assignment.
2. The weapons will be carried in a method which conceals the weapon
from public view. It includes but is not limited to ankle holsters, belt
holsters, and shoulder holsters concealed by clothing.
3. Practical concealment methods should be employed without sacrificing
safety and the ease of the availability to the weapons.
4. Personnel will be in possession of appropriate department issued
identification while carrying a firearm on or off duty, as a Longwood
police officer.
5. Firearm concealment efforts will be designated to prevent accidental
loss and discharge.
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XIII. AUTHORIZED LESS-LETHAL WEAPONS
A. Chemical Spray – Oleoresin Capsicum and CS solution
B. Expandable Baton
C. Taser Conducted Energy Weapon
D. Less-Lethal 12 Gauge Impact Munitions
NOTE: The listed less-lethal weapons are only authorized for on-duty use.
XIV. LESS-LETHAL WEAPON REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
A. Less-lethal weapons will be tested and evaluated by personnel who have
completed an agency approved instructor level course in the use of the weapon
being evaluated.
B. The written results of the instructor’s evaluation will be submitted to the Chief
of Police.
C. The Chief of Police may use the instructor’s evaluation of the weapon to
approve its use, may order further testing, or may disapprove the use of the
less-lethal weapon.
XV. CHEMICAL AGENT SPRAY:
A. Chemical Agent Spray: A 2 ounce individual aerosol canister which contains an
agent designed to temporarily incapacitate a resistant subject. Aerko model
Freeze +P, with a 0.01% oleoresin capsicum +.01%CS solution, is the less-lethal
chemical agent authorized for use by the department. They shall be issued,
carried and deployed only by officers trained in their use.
B. Methods of Use:
1. The use of a chemical spray should supplement, rather than replace,
other tactics and control techniques.
2. The use of a chemical spray is authorized after verbal dialogue has failed
and the only other alternative would be to take physical control of a
resistant suspect into custody. The use of chemical spray is a level # 3
response, which is utilized to control a subject exhibiting a level # 3 or
greater resistance. Department issued chemical agent sprays shall be
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carried and deployed in a manner consistent with agency approved
training.
C. Confronting Persons Armed with Chemical Spray:
In the event a suspect or other person confronts an officer with any such
weapon, officers should be aware, that within range, any chemical spray
discharge can be immediately disabling with potentially disastrous
consequences.
D. Off-Duty Use of Chemical Agent Spray:
Officers will not carry chemical agent spray while off-duty unless the officer is in
uniform and working enforcement related off-duty details.
XVI. EXPANDABLE/RETRACTABLE BATON (A.S.P.):
A. Armament Systems and Procedures (A.S.P.): Model F21 is the less-lethal
expandable baton purchased and issued by the police department.
B. Authorization:
Only those expandable batons issued by the police department are authorized
for use. It shall be issued, worn, and used only by those officers trained in its
use.
C. Methods of Use:
The expandable baton serves as an intermediate weapon when empty-handed
control becomes ineffective, and the situation does not merit deadly force. This
is a level # 5 response utilized to control a subject exhibiting a level #5
resistance. Department issued expandable batons shall be carried and deployed
in a manner consistent with agency approved training.
D. Upon routine inspection, if the baton is discovered damaged, the weapon will
be turned in to the employee’s supervisor with an explanatory report requesting
replacement or repair.
E. Officers will not carry an expandable baton while off-duty unless the officer is in
uniform and working enforcement related off-duty details.
XVII. TASER (CONDUCTED ENERGY WEAPON):
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A. The Taser International X-26 Taser: is a defensive weapon approved by the
department. It transmits electrical impulses that affect the sensory and motor
functions of the central nervous system.
B. Authorization:
Only Tasers issued by the police department are authorized for use. The Taser
shall be issued, worn, and used only by those officers who have completed a
department approved user certification course. Issued Tasers are only
authorized for on-duty use.
C. Methods of Use:
An issued Taser may be used when level # 4 or higher resistance is encountered.
The Taser may be used to control a dangerous or violent suspect and a suspect
who, through actions, demonstrates he or she is resisting, opposing, or
attempting to flee from an officer who is making a lawful arrest or detention.
Department issued Tasers shall be carried and deployed in a manner consistent
with agency approved training.
D. Medical Considerations:
1. Following deployment, the officer should remove the probes at the
earliest opportunity. The probes should only be removed by officers
who have completed agency approved training in the use of the Taser,
fire rescue, or trained medical personnel.
2. Taser probes that have penetrated a person’s body shall be considered
a bio-hazard and shall be handled in accordance with G.O. 22.
Employees removing or handling Taser probes shall use medical gloves.
3. The officer shall visually examine the area struck by the probes to
determine if an injury was sustained. If an injury is sustained, fire rescue
personnel will be summoned to the scene to examine the subject.
4. Taser probes that have struck the face, neck, groin, or a female’s breasts
shall be removed by fire rescue or medical personnel.
5. Photographs will be taken of the Taser probe entry site prior to, and
after probe removal. All related injuries will be photographed. The
photograph(s) will be submitted with the officer’s Response to
Resistance Review.
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6. Probe strikes in sensitive areas, such as the groin or breasts, shall be
photographed by an officer of the same sex as the subject. These
photographs will be taken in an area out of public view.
E. Training:
1. Officers must complete an eight hour department approved user
certification course.
2. Officers must complete a two hour refresher course each year.
F. Taser Maintenance:
1. A Taser function test should be completed once every 24 hours or prior
to the start of the employee’s shift. Prior to the beginning of each shift
the officer should, in an appropriate location, draw the Taser and
remove the cartridge. The Taser should be activated and cycled for 1
second. As long as the officer observes a visible spark between the
electrodes it is not necessary to extend the duration. This will ensure
the Taser is functioning properly.
2. Wipe out the air cartridge firing bay with a dry cloth.
3. Check the power magazine level and cartridge expiration regularly.
4. Keep the Taser secured in a protective holster.
G. Cartridge Management Following Deployment:
1. Following the discharge of a Taser cartridge, the cartridge, its wires, and
its probes will be submitted into evidence at the Longwood Police
Department. This procedure will not apply to authorized training
deployments.
2. Taser probes that have penetrated a person’s body shall be considered
a bio-hazard and shall be handled in accordance with G.O. 22.
Employees removing or handling Taser probes shall use medical gloves.
3. The Taser probes should be separated from the conductive wire. Taser
probes shall be collected and packaged in a bio-hazard (Sharps) syringe
container. They shall be packaged in the same manner as a syringe with
a needle, (E.P.P 11, VII B.) The container will be sealed with tape and
clearly marked with the words ‘Caution, Taser Probe.’
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4. The empty Taser cartridge and wires will be packaged separately and
submitted into evidence.
5. The serial number of the empty cartridge will be listed on the property
and evidence form and the property page of the officer’s report.
XVIII. LESS-LETHAL IMPACT WEAPONS AND MUNITIONS:
This section addresses the use of extended range less-lethal weapons and projectiles.
The Longwood Police Department administration recognizes combative, non-compliant,
armed, and/or violent subjects cause handling and control problems requiring special
training and equipment. Thus, the Longwood Police Department has adopted the less
lethal force philosophy to assist in the de-escalation of these potentially violent
confrontations.
A. Definitions:
1. Less-lethal Force Philosophy: A concept of planning and force
application, which meets operational objectives, with less potential for
causing death or serious injury than conventional methods.
2. Kinetic Energy Impact Projectiles: Flexible or non-flexible projectiles,
which are intended to incapacitate a subject with a minimal potential
for causing death or serious physical injury, when compared to
conventional projectiles.
3. Safety Priorities: The Longwood Police Department’s safety priorities
are established as follows:
a) Hostages
b) Involved non-subject civilians
c) Police officers
d) Subject – The person who is the focus of the police
operation
B. Authorization:
Only those less-lethal weapons and ammunitions issued by the police
department are authorized for use. Issued less-lethal weapons and munitions
are only authorized for on-duty use.
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C. Munitions:
1. Less-lethal Extended Range Impact Munitions:
There are many projectiles considered ‘less-lethal.’ The primary type
used by the Longwood Police Department is a flexible projectile.
2. Technical Aspects – Kinetic Energy Impact Projectiles
3. Flexible 12 gauge drag stabilized rounds:
a) The authorized 12 gauge less-lethal rounds are manufactured
by Combined Tactical Systems, Inc. and these rounds are
referred to as the 2581 CTS 12 gauge Super Sock rounds.
b) The standard round has a clear plastic cartridge bearing the
words ‘SUPER SOCK’ and the numbers ‘2581’ in bold black print.
The round is compatible with cylinder and improved cylinder 12
gauge shotguns chambered for 2.75” and 3” cartridges. The
overall height of the round is 2.4”, and its overall weight is 56
grams. The weight of the projectile is 40 grams.
c) The standard bag exits the barrel at approximately 280 feet per
second and delivers approximately 112ft/lbs. of kinetic energy
at that range.
d) The tear shaped bag projectile is white in color. It is a shot filled
ballistic fiber reinforced flexible sock.
e) Less-lethal rounds shall only be deployed from designated,
properly marked, 12 gauge launching platforms (shotguns).
These shotguns are designated by orange stocks and fore grips.
4. Evaluation of Projectiles:
Kinetic energy impact projectiles will be evaluated on the following
criteria:
a) Accuracy:
This is the primary consideration, since proper shot placement
greatly assists in controlling the other two evaluation criteria.
This will be evaluated based on the anticipated ranges of
deployment. A minimal standard of accuracy for such rounds is:
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(1) 12 inch group at 15 yards for the 12 gauge system.
(2) This standard is achieved from a secure test.
b) Effectiveness:
This is the potential of the round to cause incapacitation and
reduce the subject’s ability to continue their inappropriate
behavior. The level of energy necessary to cause incapacitation
creates the potential for injury, but when properly deployed,
with a low probability for causing serious physical injury or
death.
c) Potential for Causing Death or Serious Physical Injury:
(1) The potential for causing death or serious physical
injury with such projectiles is a reality. This potential is
greatly reduced when impacts to the head and neck are
avoided, and when appropriate medical examinations
are provided in cases where the subject is struck in an
area that might conceal a closed injury. These include
such areas as the chest, back, thoracic, abdominal cavity
and the groin.
(2) When engaging a target, the officer should evaluate the
effectiveness of each round during the volley.
Compliance and/or incapacitation are the desired goal,
and alternative target areas/response should be
considered when rounds are not effective. Alternative
target area/response considerations will be based on
the circumstances the officer is encountering and the
established department safety priorities.
D. 12 Gauge Less-Lethal Shotgun Platforms:
1. Dedicated System:
a) The issued shotgun being used as a less- lethal platform will be
dedicated to less-lethal projectiles only. It is identifiable by the
guns synthetic orange stock and for grip.
b) Officers assigned will disassemble such weapons, and
visually/physically inspect the chamber and magazine, each
time the weapons come under their control (beginning of shift,
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and/or any time the weapon was out of their direct control), to
ensure the total absence of lethal ammunition.
2. Transition System:
Transitional systems involve the use of both lethal and less-lethal
rounds being launched from the same platform. The transitional
system is prohibited by the department. Dedicated shotguns, (orange
stock and fore grip), should never be loaded with lethal ammunition.
E. Deployment Areas:
1. The less-lethal projectiles will be delivered to suspect target areas based
on the circumstances, the established safety priorities, and the level of
force authorized.
2. The Less-Lethal Munitions Chart (Appx. 1), is the recognized Longwood
Police Department model for determining contact areas for kinetic
energy impact munitions, based on potential for injury.
3. Green Areas: These areas will be considered when incapacitation is
necessary and a minimal potential for injury is the appropriate
response.
4. Yellow/Red Areas: These areas will be considered when an escalation of
force above green (areas) is necessary and appropriate, acknowledging
an increase in the potential for death or serious physical injury.
5. Head/Neck: Intentional impacts to these areas will be avoided unless
the use of deadly force is justified, necessary, and appropriate.
F. Response to Resistance Matrix:
The Longwood Police Department recognizes six distinct levels of force. The
uses of kinetic energy impact projectiles are considered a level five response to
resistance when deployed to areas of the suspect’s body that are considered
unlikely to cause death or serious physical injury.
G. Deployment Issues to Consider:
1. The level of force being confronted
2. The proximity/access of subject to officer
3. The department safety priorities
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The deployment and use of less-lethal munitions are actions that could
assist in achieving the goal of protection of life and/or the restoration of
order. They should be considered whenever there use could reduce the
risk of injury to officers, innocent citizens, and/or suspects.
Circumstances justifying the uses of these munitions include, but are
not limited to:
a) The suspect to be arrested has the immediate ability to cause
great bodily harm or death.
b) Situations wherein the authorizing person believes deadly force
would otherwise be justified in the absence of a less-lethal
option, (i.e. in the face of imminent death or great bodily harm
to self or others.)
c) Subduing vicious animals that could cause great bodily harm or
endanger the lives of officers involved.
d) A suspect makes overt, hostile, attacking movements with or
without a weapon which may cause injury to the officer or
others.
NOTE: In an attempt to avoid occurrences of sympathetic fire,
officers will announce their intention to deploy less-lethal
rounds. The announcement will occur prior to deployment and
include repeating the words ‘less-lethal’ in a loud voice.
NOTE: Lethal cover should be used in all cases involving any
armed and/or dangerous subjects, even if no firearms are
involved. This is consistent with the safety priority safety
system placing the safety of the officer above that of the
subject. The second or subsequent officers arriving at the
scene would then provide the less-lethal option.
NOTE: There is no requirement to use less intrusive force,
(less-lethal), when deadly force is required for protection.
H. Training:
All 12 gauge shotgun delivery systems equipped with less-lethal munitions will
be maintained and deployed only by officers who have successfully completed a
training and qualification program. Training in the use of extended range kinetic
energy impact projectiles will consist of an approved department certification
course and annual recertification.
ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
WEAPONS POLICY
EPP – 2 Page 19 of 20
I. Medical Considerations:
When a suspect is struck by a less-lethal projectile, they shall be transported to
a medical facility for examination and medical clearance.
J. Reporting:
When an officer deploys less-lethal impact munitions on a person, a Response
to Resistance Review will be completed. The report should be completed by the
end of the officer’s shift and be forwarded to the chief of police by way of the
chain of command. Following the deployment, the suspect should be examined
for injuries, and the impact area(s) and any injuries will be photographed. The
photographs will be submitted with the Response to Resistance Review form.
K. Cartridge/Projectile Management Following Deployment:
The spent less-lethal projectile(s) and cartridge(s) will be recovered from the
scene following deployment. They will be packaged and submitted to the
evidence custodian at the Longwood Police Department. This should be
documented in the officer’s incident report.
L. Notifications:
If not present at the scene, the on-duty supervisor will be notified immediately
following the deployment of less-lethal munitions.
ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
WEAPONS POLICY
EPP – 2 Page 20 of 20
Less-Lethal Munitions Chart – Appendix 1
Know yo
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Red Zone
Yellow Zone
Green Zone
Less-Lethal Munitions Chart