Non-Lethal Weapons and Defensive Tactics
The organizing idea
Less-lethal tools are force, not an alternative to force. Each application must be justified under the same Chapter 5 standard as any other force: an immediate threat, a proportional response, and the ability to articulate why that tool was chosen. "Less-lethal" describes reduced risk, not zero risk -- OC, batons, and takedowns all cause injuries that must be documented and reported.
OC spray
Know the product, the spray pattern, and the effective range before carrying it. Deliver a short burst to the face, move off the line of attack, and reassess. Decontaminate the subject as soon as control is achieved: fresh air, water, and no rubbing. Avoid confined spaces where the spray contaminates you, bystanders, or uninvolved staff, and be aware of cross-contamination when you handcuff or transport. Provide medical follow-up and document it.
Baton and impact tools
Target large muscle groups and long bones. Avoid the head, neck, spine, kidneys, and groin. Strike only as long as the threat exists. Baton use near crowds raises a foreseeable risk of bystander injury -- articulate why you used it where you used it.
Handcuffing and defensive tactics
Control, cuff, double-lock, and search before moving. Watch for positional asphyxia: do not leave a subject face-down with weight on the back, and move them to a seated or recovery position as soon as they are controlled. Standing takedowns on hard surfaces create serious-injury risk. If a subject becomes unresponsive or complains of breathing difficulty, that complaint is a medical emergency, not defiance.
Traps in questions
- "OC spray is not reportable force."
- Using a baton as a compliance tool for passive resistance.
- Ignoring the "I can't breathe" statement.
Rule of thumb
Ask: what am I trying to stop, and is this tool the least force that will stop it now? If you cannot answer, you are escalating without justification.