BATONS D-220 07-20-22 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: USE OF DEPARTMENT APPROVED BATONS
FILE: BATONS NO: D-220
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11-04-91 REVISED: 12-25-94, 02-01-98, 07-01-98, 09-01-98
07-01-99, 02-01-02, 08-01-08
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Captain M. Weldon
REFERENCE: Title 15, Section 1029(a)(7)(F); Penal Code Sections 831.5(f), and
836.5(b); Fresno County Sheriff's Department Policy and
Procedure Section 300 (Use of Force).
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish and maintain legal and consistent guidelines in the
use of Department authorized batons and in the reporting of their use.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau that the wooden
42-inch riot baton and the Monadnock expandable baton provided by the Fresno County
Sheriffs Department shall be the only batons authorized for use by staff within the
Detention Bureau. Only those correctional staff members who have been trained and
certified in Department-approved training sessions shall utilize the batons.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau that the wooden
42-inch riot baton and the Monadnock expandable baton shall only be utilized when
determined to be reasonable and necessary.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau that correctional
officers may use reasonable force in establishing and maintaining custody of persons
delivered to them by a law enforcement officer. No officer shall be deemed an aggressor or
lose his or her right to self-defense by the use of reasonable force to prevent escape or
overcome resistance.
Page 1 of 4
FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: USE OF DEPARTMENT APPROVED BATONS
FILE: BATONS NO: D-220
PROCEDURES:
I. TRAINING IN THE USE OF THE BATONS
A. Only those correctional officers who have completed a certified course of
instruction approved by the Fresno County Sheriffs Department and
taught by Department-approved instructors, shall carry and/or use the
Monadnock expandable baton furnished by the Fresno County Sheriffs
Department.
B. Correctional officers shall attend a Department-approved instructional
course prior to the use of the wooden 42-inch riot baton.
II. STORAGE AND ISSUANCE OF THE BATONS
A. A Monadnock expandable baton is issued to each officer as part of their
duty gear.
1. It is mandatory that all officers wear their batons while on duty and
in uniform.
2. All Sergeants assigned to a facility shall wear their batons while on
duty. The Administrative Sergeants may wear their batons as
optional equipment.
3. Sergeants and officers assigned to specialized units shall wear
their batons at the discretion of their supervising Lieutenant.
4. The expandable batons are considered Department-issued
equipment and are not to be utilized for personal use. Unless
needed for training, under no circumstance is an officer to take a
baton out of the building when they go off-duty, without explicit
permission from a Watch Commander or other Lieutenant.
5. Batons shall not be modified or altered in any manner.
B. The wooden 42-inch riot batons shall be stored in the North Annex Jail
armory.
C. The wooden 42-inch riot batons shall be utilized as determined by the
SERT Commander, a Bureau Commander, or the on-duty Watch
Commander.
Page 2 of 4
FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: USE OF DEPARTMENT APPROVED BATONS
FILE: BATONS NO: D-220
III. USE OF THE BATONS
A. The decision to draw, exhibit or use a Department approved baton must
be based on the tactical situation. The baton's uses include come-a-
longs, compliance techniques, takedown, striking movements, and
blocks. In less lethal situations, baton strikes should be directed at areas
of the body other than the head, solar plexus, spine, and kidney areas.
When an officer is faced with a lethal threat, any target area or technique
is acceptable.
B. When an officer uses a baton, the goal shall be to ultimately control the
inmate. The baton offers a means to safely and effectively control a
resisting or assaultive inmate when control by the use of weaponless
control techniques is not practical under the circumstances.
C. The Monadnock expandable baton shall be used only under the following
conditions-
1. To gain compliance and control of a non-compliant or resistant
inmate.
2. To overcome actual or threatened physical resistance.
3. To prevent injury to staff, inmates, or the public.
4. To control violent subjects who are threatening or actually causing
injury to themselves or to others.
D. Correctional officers shall NOT USE the expandable baton in the
following manner-
1. In any manner or condition inconsistent with the established
approved Department training.
2. In any manner inconsistent with legal, professional, or ethical
conduct.
3. As punishment.
Page 3 of 4
FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: USE OF DEPARTMENT APPROVED BATONS
FILE: BATONS NO: D-220
IV. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
A. Batons are classified as impact weapons. The use of a baton in an
impact capacity constitutes the use of non-deadly force (unless used
with lethal force), and must be reported. Each officer using a baton in an
impact capacity shall-
1. Obtain medical assistance for all persons subjected to the use of
any baton as soon as possible. Ensure that photographs are taken
of all visible wounds or bruises, along with any areas the inmate is
claiming to be injured.
2. Promptly notify the Facility Sergeant unless exigent circumstances
delay the notification.
3. Document the use of force in an incident report. Attach all
photographs to the report and submit prior to going off-duty.
B. The use of a baton in passive or low-level resistance situations, when
utilized in a control type configuration or compliance technique, is NOT
required to be reported.
Page 4 of 4