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Police Procedures

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

Officers must abide by the Department's Radio Communications guide.

USE OF FORCE

USE OF FORCE – GENERAL

Police Officers shall attempt to achieve control through direction, forewarning, or reasonable physical force. Police Officers shall, based on the totality of the circumstances, only use a level of force that they reasonably believe is proportional to:

  • The seriousness of the suspected offense or

  • The reasonably perceived level of actual or threatened resistance.

When an officer has reasonable cause to believe a person has committed a public offense the officer may use objectively reasonable force to:

  1. Effect a lawful detention;

  2. Effect a lawful arrest;

  3. Prevent escape; or

  4. Overcome resistance.

An officer may also use objectively reasonable force to protect themselves or another person from injury or death.

USE OF FORCE – DUTY TO INTERVENE

The duty to intervene is the responsibility of a Peace Officer to prevent or stop excessive force. Officers shall report an incident of perceived excessive force to a supervisor immediately.

No officer shall retaliate against another officer who reports a suspected excessive force incident.

USE OF FORCE – DE-ESCALATION

De-escalation is attempting to stabilize a situation and reduce the immediacy of the threat so that more options and resources can be called upon to resolve the situation through voluntary compliance.

A Police Officer shall use de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention tactics, and/or other alternatives to force, when feasible.

USE OF FORCE – LESS LETHAL FORCE

A Police Officer is authorized to use less lethal weapons as an intermediate force option.

Officers deploying the less lethal weapon shall immediately, or as soon as practicable, notify assisting personnel and a supervisor that the less lethal weapon is deployed. Officers must ensure that proper medical aid is provided as soon as practicable.

  • Impact Weapons: Officers shall only use an Impact Weapon when the officer perceives the subject’s actions involve violence, threatened violence or when the crime is serious in nature.

  • Electric Shock Device: Officers shall only use a ESD when the officer perceives the subject’s actions involve violence, threatened violence or when the crime is serious in nature.

  • Less Lethal Launchers: Less lethal munitions serve as an intermediate force option and must be accessible in the field. Only Department approved less lethal launchers using target specific and non-target specific munitions are authorized.

USE OF FORCE – DEADLY FORCE

An officer is justified in employing deadly force if they reasonably believe, considering all circumstances, that it is necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm to the Police Officer, or to another person.

  • Warning Shots: Discharging a firearm as a warning shot is strictly prohibited.

  • Firearm Discharge at Vehicles: Officers shall not fire at a moving vehicle unless its occupants pose an imminent threat and no alternative options exist.

  • Firearm Discharge from Vehicles: Officers shall not fire a weapon from a moving vehicle unless there is an imminent threat and no other reasonable options are available.

USE OF FORCE – SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

The special circumstances described in this section are not a use of force. Officers using force option equipment, other than a firearm, shall notify a supervisor as soon as practicable and document the incident. Supervisors may approve other force option equipment if necessary.

VEHICLE PURSUITS

VEHICLE PURSUITS – INITIATION

Officers are authorized to initiate a pursuit in the following circumstances:

  1. The officer has reasonable cause to believe that the suspect he or she is attempting to arrest has committed, is about to commit, or is threatening to commit a felony crime.

  2. The officer, prior to initiating the pursuit, has reasonable cause to believe that the driving ability of the suspect is so impaired that the suspect may cause death or serious injury to another person.

When a vehicle pursuit is initiated, the initiating officer must immediately:

  • Declare the pursuit on radio

  • Advise the location, speed, and direction of travel

  • Advise the vehicle description

  • Advise the reason for stop or relevant wants/charges

Pursuits must be terminated immediately if the risks of continuing the pursuit significantly outweigh the severity of the crime.

The use of intervention techniques such as a PIT maneuver or spike strips does not require approval. Intervention techniques must be conducted with value to life and property.

VEHICLE PURSUITS – ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS

When officers are initiating, authorizing, continuing, or terminating a pursuit, factors to be considered include, but are not limited to the following:

  1. Time of day

  2. Vehicular traffic conditions

  3. Pedestrian traffic conditions

  4. Weather conditions

  5. Roadway conditions

  6. Area of pursuit

  7. Severity of crime

  8. Speed and recklessness of suspect

  9. Availability of backup

  10. Involvement of Air Support

VEHICLE PURSUITS – COORDINATION

  • Primary Unit Responsibilities: The officer(s) in the primary unit shall maintain broadcast all pertinent information regarding the pursuit. The primary unit must also continually reevaluate the risk fasters to determine whether to terminate the pursuit.

  • Other Unit Responsibilities: Upon their arrival, other units shall be responsible for broadcasting when joining the pursuit. If the primary unit is no longer able to continue in the pursuit or requests another unit take over the primary unit's responsibilities, another unit shall assume the role of the primary unit.

  • Supervisor Responsibilities: The notified supervisor shall continually evaluate the risk factors and any other relevant circumstances, broadcast over the police radio the decision to authorize or terminate a pursuit, and monitor the progress of the pursuit.

  • Air Unit Responsibilities: The Air Support Unit is responsible for monitoring the pursuit and advising the primary unit of any potential risks. The Air Support Unit will track the suspect vehicle and assume broadcasting duties, if requested.

VEHICLE PURSUITS – LIMITATIONS

  • LSPD Motor Unit Motorcycles shall not engage in pursuits.

  • Vehicles transporting prisoners shall not engage in pursuits.

If a pursuit leaves the starting jurisdiction, either the new jurisdiction or the SAHP must take over. If no units from either are available, pursuit by the originating agency may continue.

OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS

Any officers involved in a Officer-Involved-Shooting (OIS) shall immediately notify a supervisor and the on duty Watch Commander.

ARREST & CONTROL

When making an arrest, Officers shall strictly observe the laws of arrest and adhere to the following provisions:

  1. Officers must assess the situation and ensure safety before engaging. When approaching a high-risk suspect, officers should form a tactical team to make the arrest to ensure safety.

  2. The arresting officer shall use only the amount of restraint necessary to assure the safe custody of the prisoner and his/her own safety.

  3. The arresting officer is responsible for the safety and protection of the arrested person in his/her custody.

PATROL AREAS

While on duty, officers must operate within the boundaries of their active department’s jurisdiction. A brief summary of jurisdictional boundaries can be found below. A map will be made available at a later date for reference:

The Los Santos Police Department (LSPD) is the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Los Santos.

  • Includes Los Santos Channel & Canal

  • Excludes Los Santos International Airport

  • Excludes Port of Los Santos

  • Excludes Murrieta Heights & Cypress Flats

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