Springfield Police Department General Order etre Dae January 22, 2021 tion Nome OP-1.02 ‘Massachusetts Police Accreditation Standards Reference: 12/134) 1325 184,185,132) 1910 ae Use of Force General Considerations “The Springfield Police Department places the highest value on the life and Guidelines and safety of our officers and on the safety of the public. A reverence ‘and respect for the dignity of all petsons and the sanctity of human life shall be reflected in all training, leadership, and procedures of the Springfield Police Department. The department’ segulations, policies, and procedures ate designed to ensure that this value guides officers in theie use of force. All officers of the Springfield Police Department will use only the amount of force necessary to accomplish lawful objectives, and will de-escalate at the point the threat diminishes. 1.3.1 Since officers will encounter a wide range of situations, they must be prepared to utilize a range of force options that are reasonable to maintain control, overcome resistance to the officers’ lawful authority, and to protect themselves and citizens while minimizing the potential for injuries to themselves or others. Duc to the uncertainty and rapidly changing nature of these situations, no written policy can offer definitive answers to evety situation in which the use of force might be approptiate, Rather, this policy’s guidelines and Municipal Police Training Committee guidelines will provide officers with a basis on which to utilize sound judgment in making reasonable and prudent decisions. Newly hired officess and veteran officers will be provided access to the agency's Use of Force policy and will receive instraction on the policy “This shall be done as a past of Police Academy training for newly hired officers. Veteran Officers will be provided updates, and or amendments, to the Use of Force policy via written directives, trining bulletins, Roll Call trainings, or annual In-Sesvice training.Purpose ‘The policy and procedute of the Springfield Police Department regntding the use of force including less lethal force’ and deadly force ate set forth in this order with the purpose of providing officers with specific guidelines, Policy Itis the policy of the Springfield Police Department that an officers’ foxce? response must be objectively reasonable’ in consideration of the officer’s perception of the risk/threat presented, and the officer’s perception of the subject's action(®). 1.3.1 a. Officers are further trained that whenever a particalar force option is utilized against an individual who fails to comply with the reasonable and laveful commands of the officer(s), that particular force option shall texminate, when a subject is fall ‘within the law enforcement officer(s)’ control. 1.2.25 1.3.2 b. _ Allof the provisions contained within this Springfield Police Department Use of Force Policy shall strictly adhere to all applicable statutory and constitutional provisions of federal, state, and local laws, reasonable and necessary under the citcumstances to protect themselves and/or others while performing their lawful duties. ‘When feasible and practical, Officers shall attempt to de-escalate, potential use of force situations with non-physical force ‘alternatives, Such as direction, persuasion, verbal warning, ot 2 Officers shall use that amount of force that is ptopostional, < d. Anofficer present and observing another officer using physical force, including deadly force, beyond that which is necessary or objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances, shalt intervene 0, ‘nat of unreasonable farce. Paling to intervene shall be subject to appropriate departmental disciplinazy action, unless intetvening would result in imminent hhatm to the officer of others. wv ‘An officer who observes another officer using phy il force, cluding deadly force, beyond that which js necessary os ¢ y jectivel fed.on the totality of the circamstances ° ty Vi, chal epor the incident to an appropriate supervisor as son at reasonably 4 possible. 1 peas ath Bass Any wwe f force foe than tat which considered dey 2 Howes the amount o physical efor ree! by ro compel corp foams sabe Thisneudee any wee of oes by an ofcer ceeuring in an off fw enFoceent cosy whither 09 of dts 5S Seles Renin In detemang te noes Fc foe and the apap lerel of fe, oer shal eek ech vation a Ht of ie : igo ces nig bt verb of eine era ire re rset by the sue and the days forthe comm.Definitions 3 Harassment, intimidation os setaliation against any officer who reports a case of excessive force shall be a violation of this department policy and subject to departmental discipline CHOKBHOLD ‘the use of a lateral vascular neck restraint, carotid restraint of other action that involves the placement of any part of an officer’s body on ot around a person’s neck with the intent to limit the person's breathing or blood flow. The Springfield Police Depastment does not train its officers in the use of chokeholds. Chokeholds are prohibited unless lethal force is justified and no reasonable force alternative exits, DEADLY FORCE Force that can reasonably be expected to cause death or setious physical injury. A law enforcement officer shall not use deadly force upon a person unless de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed or are not feasible based on the totality of the circumstances and such force is necessary to prevent imminent ‘harm to a person and the amount of force used is propostionate to the threat of imminent harm, DE-ESCALATION TACTICS Actions and approaches used by an Officer to stabilize a law enforcement situation so that move time, options and resources are available to gain a person's voluntary ‘compliance and to reduce or eliminate the need to use force including, but not limited to, vesbal persuasion, warnings, slowing down the pace ‘ofan incident, waiting out a person, creating distance between the officer and 7 threat and requesting additional resources to resolve the incident, inchiding, but not limited to, calling in medical or licensed ‘mental health professionals, as defined in subsection (a) of section 51% of chapter 111, to address a potential medical or mental health crisis, LETHAL FORCE Lethal Force as used in this policy is defined as that degree of force, which a reasonable and prudent officer would ‘consider likely to cause death or setious physical injury, Discharging of 1 firearm is ALWAYS the use of lethal force. Lethal Force also referred to as Deadly Force (above) is that degree of force that can seasonably be expected to cause death or setious physical injury. A law enforcement officer shall not use deadly force upon a person unless de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed ot are not feasible based on the totality of the circumstances and such force is necessary to prevent imminent harm to a person and the amount of force used is proportionate to the threat of imminent harm. 1.3.2 LESS LETHAL FORCE \.ess letial force is that degzee of force, which is neither likely nor intended to cause death or serious physical injury. Officers are authorized to use less lethal force that is necessary and ptopottionate where de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed of are not feasible based on the totality of the circumstances.REASONABLE BELIEF Reasonable belief exists when the facts of itcumstances an officer knows, or should know, ate such as to cause ‘an ordinary and prudent person to act oF think in a similar way under similar circumstances. 1.3.2 REASONABLE FORCE. Grahant x Connor, 490 US 386, 395 (1989). Force which is objectively reasonable to overcome resistance offered ina lawful police action or to compel an unwilling subject’s compliance with an officer's lawful exercise of police authority. SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, Boxy injury that sesults in: @) permanent disfiguzement; (ji) protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function, limb or organ; ot (il) a substantial risk of death. Osganizational “This otder is mandated for all officerst of the Springfield Police Procedures Department ‘An officer shall utilize and catty, and/or have immediately available, ‘only department authorized weapons, restinining devices and chemical agents while on duty. The catrying and use of any unauthorized -weapons, restraining devices and chemical agents when on duty is strictly prohibited Violation of this ozder shall be considered misconduct subject to disciplinary action under the written ditectives* of the Springfield Police Department. |As of the effective date of the order, this order supersedes all other rules, regulations, procedutes, orders, bulletins, and directives issued previously regarding the use of force. Less Lethal Force An officer may use that level of less lethal force that is objectively reasonable to bring aa incident and/or subject under control. 1.3.4 ‘An officer is authorized to use less lethal force to: © Effect an arrest, ‘© Protect the office: or another subject(3) ftom physical harm, ‘¢ Restinin of subdue a resistant subject, and/or © Bring an unlawful situation safely and effectively under control, Deadly Force ‘An officer is authorized to use deadly force to: © Protect the officer and/or another petson(@) from an unlawful attack, which the officer reasonably petceives as an immediate threat of death or serious physical injury®, + tfc Sail inca a swoen depart stems oh oe he cath of fear vested wih pois werk 5 Digit: A cretve a wate depatmenal eommniition inte fox of Genta Ors, Spail Ones ox Administ Onder «tbvrite les, eats poles, proces, oreay ote infeamion depart employee. 65 ‘huts lyse ie etry sa ino tht would cet etna ik of ea, ruses sos petra (Sateen aor een ened late ovimpsimant of the hetion of any oily mene org© Prevent the escape of a flecing vidlent felon whom the officer hhas probable cause to believe will pose a significant threat of death of setious physical injury to the officer or others and only when the force employed ereates no substantial risk of injury to innocent persons. © Render harmless an animal which presents a clear and immediate danger of death ot setious injury to a human being, ot aa animal which is so severely injured that humanity requites its removal from farther suffering. Progression of Force ‘The offices’s response options within each of the five force levels identified in the Use of Force Model! ate not necessarily listed in the order of use and/or need. The officer mnay de-escalate, stabilize or escalate his/her response based uponhis/her risk assessment and the perceptions of the subject’s degtec of compliance or non-compliance. “The force tactics listed in each of the five force levels identified in the Use of Force Model are those tactics that officers ate trained in, The Department recognizes that there are other methods and tacties that can be used at each of the levels of authority. Ifa tactic is used that is not listed it must be objectively reasonable as it relates to the officer's tisk assessment and the subject's action(s). ‘An officer shall use de-escalation techniques and other altesnatives to force consistent with his/her training, whenever possible and appropriate. ‘Whenever possible an officer shall allow an individual time and opportunity to submit to advisements, warnings, ot vesbal commands before force is used. This opportunity should be given when such delay will not compromise the safety of the officer ot another, and will not result in the destruction of evidence, escape of a suspect, or commission of a crime. 1.3.6.4 Prohibited Actions ‘The Springfield Police Department prohibits any use of force for punishment, of as a punitive measure. This includes using force to punish an individual for fleeing, resisting arrest, ot assaulting an officer. Medical Responsibility “After any level of force is used the officer involved, ot any officer ‘aware of an injury, shall immediately evaluate the need for medical attention. Medical attention will be provided or attanged as soon as the situation safely allows. The officer shall promptly notify his/her immediate supervisor when a use of force has sesulted in injury or medical treatment is requested, The officet shall also inform his/her supervisor of the circumstances necessitating such treatment. 7 Poss hdl Are ore options ht ae vided nc ive (6) levels o gui the oficer during awe of oe sitiUse of Force Model A. Level One: The Compliant’ Subject © The perceived subject actions’: The officer perceives the subject’s actions as cooperative and control is maintained via public acceptance, officer presence, verbalization skills, te. © ‘The perceived circumstances” are stintegic: The officer must ‘maintain a tininum level of awareness and preparedness to enhance the overall and ongoing status of officer safety anytime he/she is working. . e reasonable officer responses are cooperative controls: ‘The cooperative controls would include, but not be limited to those force tactics listed below. Officer presence: Cooperative Controls 1.3.6 4 ‘Appearance Communication skills: Dialogue Verbal commands Approach techniques: Relative positioning Contact / cover officer tacties Frisk techniques: officer on 1 subject 2 officers on 1 subject Searching techniques: 1 officer on 1 subject 2 officers on 1 subject Restraining techniques: Handeuffing Flex-cuffs Leg restraints 1 officer on 1 subject 2officers on 1 subject ‘Transposting techniques: ‘Two officer unit One officer unit B. Level Two: The Resistant (passive) Subject © The perceived subject actions: "This is the preliminary level of subject non-compliance. The subject offers no physical cot mechanical energy enhancement toward the resistant effort: The subject has not directed his or her physical strength and energy in establishing, achiewing and/ot maintaining a posture of resistance. * Comin Sat Aube! wo uti to dhe ocr’ sath an ection deo sie woo tions abject’ acta gs pce bythe sonable ofc hat dosnt the eubjet a me oe moro te Use of Voce odets compat n/a non-compete = ee emenable oie’ peepee of the eves fay xe, te este of any an al fet het the Pesci Cieumsances et oc oer, the depse of somplane n/or brcorpkance rom the eubjet Ue ime of the enceUse of Force Model (an) eo The red circ ane : The officer perceives an incense in the threat potential within the confiontational envitonment, which would initiate the process where specific tactics and procedures would now be deployed. ° reasonable of ntact tect es: ‘The contact conttols would include, but not be limited to those force tacties listed below. Contact Controls 1.3.6 d Restraint techniques: Tibow grasp Contact controls: “Bscort position Handeuffing control position C. Level Three: The Resistant (active) Subject © The pesveived subject actions; The subject’s non- ‘compliance has increased in scope and intensity and now includes energy enhanced physical or mechanical defiance. ‘The subject has directed his or her physical strength and ‘energy in establishing, achieving and/ot tnaintaining a posture of resistance. @ The pere in volatile: The officer is now confronted with the presence and/or potential of an increase in the threat intensity, severity, etc. The officer recognizes this increase in the threat potential and must deploy techniques and tactics that would overcome and/or control this increased risk. * ‘The reasonable officer responses are compliance techniques: ‘These complinace techniqnes would include, but not be limited to those force tactics listed below. Compliance Technique Compliance techniques: Front wrist lock’ Rear wrist lock Arm bar Bent wrist lock Baton control techniques: Strong side armlock Weak side armlock Strong side wrist drag Weak side wrist drag, Non-chemical agents Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C) Spray Electronic Control Weapons (TASER) Drive stun mode Ko Presence BarkingUse of Force Model (wi) 1D. Level Four: The Assaultive (bodily harm) Subject © The pexccived subject actions: ‘The office's attempt to pain lawful compliance has concluded in a perceived of ‘actual attack on the officer or another person(s), The officer makes the reasonable assessment that such actions by the subject would result in his/her ot another's bodily, hatin, © The perceived circumstances are harmful: The officer perceives an accelerated assessment of danger. This situation has reached the degtee whete the physical well being of the officer ot another pesson is in jeopardy if the subject is not stopped and controlled. © The xzeasonable officer sesponses are defensive tactics: These defensive tactics would include, but not be limited t0 those force tactics listed below. Officets using defensive tactics, specifically personal weapon strikes to the head, should be awwate of the potential for injury. Officers, using a petsonal ‘weapon head strike, should ensure that the amount of force used is proportionate to the perceived threat. © Officers should always be awate that Impact Weapon strikes should be consistent with the MPTC/Monadnock Baton Striking chart. In particular, Impact Weapon strikes to the head should only be used when a subject is perceived as a lethal threat. (6 Appendix A) Defensive Tactics 1.3.4 Timpact Weapon Techniques: Txpandable Straight Baton strike Ground fighting techniques ‘Personal Weapons: Head strike Hand strike Elbow strike Knee strike Foot strike KO. Subject Apprehension Chemical Agents: cs CN Electronic Contiol Weapons (TASER) ‘Probe deploymentUse of Force Model (n') B. Level Five: The Assaultive (setious bodily harm, death) Subject the perceived subject actions: ‘The officer is now confronted iby an assaultive act that reaches the ultimate degree of danger. “The officer perceives that if these actions are followed through with, that the officet ot others would be subject to death or serious physical harm. ‘The perceived circumstances are lethal: The officer perceives the highest clegree of threat towards his/her ot another's safety, The officer’s reasonable assessment would be that if this situation were allowed to continue that he/she or another could be seriously injured or killed. A maximized system of defense nnust be initiated. sonal fficer s are deadly force; ‘These deadly force tactics would include, but not be limited to those force tactics listed below. mergency Vehicular Response: Vehicular Pursuit Deadly Force Service Weapons: ‘Ympact Weapon Strikes to the bead Handgun Sub-machine gun TASER (Probe deployment to head or neck) APPENDIX A ~MPTC Use of Force Model Cheryl C. Clapprood Police CommissionerPPENDIXA MPTC USE OF FORCE REFERENCE GUIDE ercelved Cireamstances Perceived Subject Aation 6) Rersonable Officer Response () ‘The Totaity Triangle © pits th thee elements which mst he considered i deleraning whether an aplication of force was ‘objectively reasonable. Perceived Circumstonees th officer's perspective ofthe sverty of any cine, the existence ofan immediate aft ex tothe ‘fiero thers, andthe degre of compliance on complincs fom the subject; calminatng in ts Wetton on the Use of Force Model Perceived Sobject Acton () =the shes ain (98 perce by the reasonable office that designate the subject atone oF more ofthe Use of Force Mode! compli! on-compliat categories ‘Reasonable Officer Response (1) ~ the “balanced” response(s) epproprnte forthe reasonable effcer’ssleton trom the Use of ‘Force Moe's Wentfed response estegore, inorder to melanin o gin subject compliance and contol prc Use of Force Model co Perens subject Reis) ‘The Use of Force Model was developed i 1991 by Dr. Frain Graves, Federal Law Enforcement Training Cntr and Professor Gregory J Connor, University of Minas Police Trani Insite. ™1998, G. Connor. Allright rererved “Threat Perceplon Color Code the ately applied and color adapted eerlation of the Threat Pecetion Categrix on ho Use ofForee Moss. Control Superiority Principle @- the understndng and visualization method willed to enforce te ietet principle of fier free superoty aver the subjects depres of compliance/ non-compliance, ‘Assessment /Seletion Arrows -the mechani wiz to Indicat the dyrami nature of en officer's deison-making process of Tactlea! Transton © daring the enforeement encoantr.‘Threat Perception Categories Strategic - the broad “mind set” of the officer, represented by the blue baseline on the ‘Threat Perception Color Code®, The contemporaty officer must maintain this functional foundation, centered upon strategies designed to enhance the status of safety. ‘Tactical - the second level on the Use of Force Model, depicted by thecolor green, Hexe the officer perceives an increase in threat potential within the confrontational environment and tactical proceduces are designated and deployed. Volatile- the thitd level on the Use ofForce Modelutilizing the coloryellow toindicatean activated level ofalettness and threat potential, Here the officer is confronted with the presence or potential ofcritical dynamics, including threat intensity and severity within the enforcement encounter. * Harmful -atthis evelon the Use of Force Model the color orange denotes an acccletated perception of threat directed upon the officer or others. In this regard, the officer must deploy intial defensive forcein the effort toward eventual subject compliance and control, Lethal - the highestlevel on the Use of Fotce Model correlates to the most intense colorin the Threat Perception ColorCode®, red. Although this potentially lethal degree ofthrentis mostinfrequent, it remains most crucial for the continuation of officer safety and security. Perceived Subject Action (i) Categories Compliant -zepresents the vast majority of officer citizen confrontationsin the form ofcooperation and control. Such cooperation is generally established and maintained vin cultural acceptance, verbalization skills, etc, Resistant (Passi) - the preliminary level ofcitizen non-compliance. Hire, thecitizen, although non-compliant, offersno physical or mechanical energy enhancement toward the resistanteffort Resistant (Activa) the subject's non-complianceisincreased inscopeand/ot intensity ‘The subject’s non-compliancenow inciudes energy enhanced physical or mechanical defiance. Assaultive (Badly Hany)- the officer’s attempt to gain lawful compliance has culminated in a perceived oractual attack on the officer orothers. The officer makes the reasonable assessment that such actions by thesubject would not tesultin the officer or other's death or serious bodily haem. Assaultive (Serious Bodily Harm/ Death) - the officer's s attempt to gain lawful compliance has culminated in the perception of anattac or the potential forsuch an attack on the officer ot others, The officer inakes the reasonable assessment that such actions by the subject could result in serious bodily harm or death tothe officer of others.Officer Response (s) Categories Cooperative Controls- include contemporaty controls developed topreserveofficer safety andsecusity, including comsunication skills, restraint applications, ete. Contact Controls - includes resistant countetmeasures designed to guide ot direct the non- compliaat subject. These “hands on” tacties would include the elbow /wtist grasp, Hand Rotation Position ©, etc. Compliance Techniques - includes resistant countermeasures designed tocountet the subject’s enbanced degree ofresistance. These tactics could include the Hand Rotation ‘Technique ©, chemical ietitants, ete. DefensiveTactics~ includes assaultivecountermeasues designed tocease the subject’s non-Iethalassaulton the officer or others, regaincontrol,andassure continued compliance, These tactics could include batonstrikes, kicking techniques, ete. Deadly Force -includes assnultive countermeasures designed to cease an assault which is lethal orcould cause great bodily harmn on the officer or others. These tactics could include the use of a firearm, lethal stcikes, etc.