Lakewood Police Department
Policy and Procedure
Less Lethal Force 		Effective Date: 11/25/2020
Policy Number: PP-4514 - Less Lethal Force
    A. Policy

    Recognizing the need in certain situations for less lethal alternatives to the use of deadly force, specified personnel shall be trained in the use of less lethal force options. The application of a less lethal alternative is intended to provide a force option, which has a reduced likelihood of causing death or serious bodily injury. 

    B. Procedure

    1. When encountering situations in which the use of less lethal physical force is reasonable and appropriate, agents must assess the incident in order to determine which level of force is appropriate and which less lethal control technique or weapon is appropriate to use. 

    2. For the purposes of this policy, less lethal force includes less lethal munitions and PepperBall gun. 

    3. Less Lethal force may be used when it is objectively reasonable to use physical force as set forth in Section 4501 or to:

    a. Control a person who is armed with a deadly weapon and is threatening suicide; or
     b. Control a person who is about to commit suicide or inflict serious bodily injury upon himself; or
     c. Disarm or disable a subject who is armed with a deadly weapon and is engaging in illegal behavior; or
     d. Prevent injuries to police or citizens or to prevent large-scale property destruction in crowd control or riot conditions; or
     e. Control a violent subject or a subject threatening imminent violence. 

    4. Agents should use verbal commands directed at the subject or crowd to obey police orders and cease illegal or dangerous behavior prior to the use of any less lethal device when practical if circumstances allow it without risk to the safety of other agents or citizens. 
    Less lethal force shall be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions and in conformity with training provided by the department's less lethal weapons instructors.  Only sworn personnel, who have been trained in the use of less lethal force options are authorized to deploy them.  Designated personnel will be trained and certified to deploy all less lethal munitions. 

    5. Designated personnel must receive documented in-service training in less lethal devices at least biennially. 

    6. Whenever possible, agents deploying less lethal devices shall have a cover agent in close proximity prepared to counter a suspect with lethal force should the threat level to the agent unexpectedly escalate. 

    7. A supervisor shall immediately respond to the scene of any deployment of a less lethal device.  

    8. Reports shall be written documenting the use of force.  Copies of all reports shall be forwarded for review via the involved employee's chain of command under the use of force review process. 

    C. Rule 

    1. In response to a protest or demonstration, LPD personnel shall not:

    a. Discharge kinetic impact projectiles and all other non- or less-lethal projectiles in a manner that targets the head, pelvis, or back;
     
    b. Discharge kinetic impact projectiles indiscriminately into a crowd.

    2. Except when used in a crowd control/riot situation, whenever any person is struck by a less lethal device: 

    a. Paramedics shall be summoned for medical assistance. 
     b. The person shall be transported to a medical facility for examination. 
     c. When less lethal systems utilizing O/C are used arrangements shall be made for the decontamination of the person. 
     d. Injuries shall be documented and photographed.
     
    3. Sworn personnel shall only deploy those less lethal munitions devices that have been department authorized to use.  
     
    Links to other topic areas relating to Less-Lethal Force: PP-4515 - Less Lethal Munitions

     
    PP-4516 - Pepperball Gun
    PP-4517 - Taser Xrep
    PP-4518 - Taser Devices
    PP-4519 - Chemcial Agents
    PP-4520 - Baton

    NEXT: PP-4515 - Less Lethal Munitions