POLICY: 

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office Detention Deputies will use the minimum amount of force necessary to compel compliance in accordance with State and Federal law.

PURPOSE:

To ensure that deputies use the appropriate level of force necessary in the performance of their duties.

DEFINITIONS:

• Physical Force:  Any degree of physical force exceeding verbal persuasion.  .
• Non-Lethal Force:  Physical force and/or non-lethal weapons that are of a non-deadly nature or that normally do not result in serious bodily injury or the death of a subject. 

·        Intermediate Weapons:  Authorized  non-lethal weapons for use, including, but not limited to:

o       Chemical Irritants

o       Impact Weapons

o       Electronic Restraining Devices

o       Other non-lethal weapons as defined by the Sheriff’s Office and consistent with individual/team training.

·        Lethal Force:  The intentional use of force which can cause death or serious bodily injury or which creates a degree of risk that a reasonable and prudent person would consider likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.

·        Excessive Force:  Any physical force which exceeds the degree of physical force permitted pursuant to 18-1-707 C.R.S.  The use of excessive physical force shall be presumed when an officer continues to apply physical force in excess of the force permitted by section 18-1-707 C.R.S. to a person who has been rendered incapable of resisting arrest.

 METHOD:

The use of force is sometimes necessary in the detention environment for justifiable self-defense, protection of others, protection of property, and prevention of escapes. Use of force is to be used only as a last resort and never as punishment. Force should be employed only to the degree necessary to control the offender(s) or restore order to a disruptive group with a minimum of harm to both staff and the offender(s). Whenever practical, a deputy of the same gender will be involved in forced cell moves and other applications of force, so that at least one deputy of the same gender as the offender is present to observe the incident.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office adheres to a use of force policy that follows a progressive continuum scale.  As a general rule, the deputy will follow the listed steps in sequence in the escalation and de-escalation of force. Whenever possible or practical, initial attempts to control a subject shall be made through verbal means.  However, in situations where physical resistance or a threat of bodily injury is encountered, and/or reasonable alternatives to physical force have failed, physical force many be used.  It is not mandatory to follow in sequence each step in every situation.  Deputies must be able to articulate the basis for the amount of force used and how that force relates to the progressive continuum. The application and degree of such force shall be consistent with Colorado Revised Statutes (18-1-701 thru 18-1-710 C.R.S.), Sheriff’s Office standards and the member’s training.

No Deputy shall use any level of force without first successfully completing any and all required training in that level of force used.

Use of Force Continuum:

• Deputy Presence and bearing in which Deputies present themselves in uniform
• Use of verbal skills in which Deputies control a situation by communicating verbal instructions
• Application of Physical Force without the use of Intermediate Weapons
• Application of Intermediate Weapons used together with verbal instructions to gain compliance in a non-lethal manner
• Application of Lethal Force

Care and Treatment:  After force has been used against an offender, the offender will be examined by medical staff and receive any necessary treatment as soon as safely possible, including the opportunity to shower when chemical irritants were used.

Reporting Requirements: A Detention Supervisor will immediately be notified when any type of force is used above the level of verbal compliance. A written report prepared by the deputy involved will be completed no later than the conclusion of that shift. The report will include the following:

• An account of the events leading up to the use of force
• An accurate description of the incident and the reasons for using force
• A description of the intermediate weapon used, if any, and the manner in which it was used
• A description of the injuries suffered, if any, and the treatment given or received.