FLASHBNG D-226 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: LIGHT/SOUND DIVERSIONARY DEVICES NO: D-226
FILE: FLASHBNG
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06-01-97 REVISED: 11-01-99
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Captain M. Leonardo
REFERENCE: Sheriffs Department, County of Fresno Policy and Procedure
Manual Section 201(111); Title 15, Section 1029(a)(6)(F); and
Penal Code Section 12301.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish and maintain a legal, safe and consistent method
for the deployment of the light/sound diversionary device.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau that use of the
light/sound diversionary device shall only be utilized to encourage compliance,overcome
resistance, or prevent serious injury without posing a significant potential of causing
death. The device should be considered whenever the use of less lethal options would
assist in restoring order and/or reducing the risk of more serious injury.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau that prior to
the use of a light/sound diversionary device, authorization must first be obtained from the
SERT Commander or the shift Watch Commander.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau that only
peace officers shall be authorized to deploy the light/sound diversionary devices. An
exception may be made when two (2) or more inmates are involved in a riotous situation,
at which time only those SERT members or Correctional Sergeants who have received
departmentally approved training in the use of the light/sound diversionary device shall be
authorized to deploy the devices.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: LIGHT/SOUND DIVERSIONARY DEVICES NO: D-226
FILE: FLASHBNG
PROCEDURES:
I. DEFINITIONS
DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE: the term destructive device shall include any
bomb, grenade, explosive missile or similar device or any launching device
therefor, e.g., "sting ball".
LIGHT/SOUND DIVERSIONARY DEVICE: light/sound diversionary devices,
also referred to as "flashbangs" are designed to save lives and reduce the
potential for dangerous situations by providing for a diversion to allow the
entry of officers into a hazardous area. The device utilizes a bright flash of
light followed immediately by a loud noise.
II. PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO UTILIZE LIGHT/SOUND DIVERSIONARY
DEVICES
A. Because of the specialized nature of the light/sound diversionary
devices and the training required to properly deploy them, their use
shall be restricted to peace officers, Correctional Sergeants and
members of the SERT unit properly trained in their use.
B. SERT members and Correctional Sergeants who have successfully
completed a departmentally approved training course in the proper use
and deployment of light/sound diversionary devices shall only be
authorized to deploy the devices during riotous situations involving two
(2) or more inmates.
III. AUTHORIZATION AND JUSTIFICATION FOR USE
A. Light/sound diversionary devices shall not be used without prior
authorization of the SERT Commander or shift Watch Commander.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: LIGHT/SOUND DIVERSIONARY DEVICES NO: D-226
FILE: FLASHBNG
B. The employment and use of light/sound diversionary devices are
decisive actions that can assist in achieving the goal of protection of life
and property and/or the restoration of order. They should be
considered whenever the use of less lethal options would assist in
restoring order and/or reducing the risk of more serious injury to
inmates and/or staff.
C. Circumstances justifying the use of light/sound diversionary devices
shall include, but not be limited to the following-
1. Barricaded inmate and/or hostage situations.
2. Circumstances wherein distraction of violent mentally deranged
persons or those under the influence of alcohol/drugs is believed
necessary in order to facilitate their compliance and overcome
their resistance.
3. Prevent escape.
4. Safely controlling violent persons.
5. Forced cell extractions.
6. Restoration or maintenance of order during a jail disturbance.
IV. DEPLOYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
A. Prior to deploying light/sound diversionary devices, personnel shall
consider available intelligence information and the totality of the
circumstances (i.e., the presence of hostages, the potential for injuries,
etc.).
B. Whenever possible, devices shall be deployed to an area visible to the
deploying officer.
C. The devices shall not be used solely for the preservation of evidence.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: LIGHT/SOUND DIVERSIONARY DEVICES NO: D-226
FILE: FLASHBNG
D. Because light/sound diversionary devices have the potential to ignite
flammable materials, a portable fire extinguisher shall be readily
accessible whenever such a device is to be deployed.
V. REVIEW PROCESS
A. A detailed report of the deployment of the light/sound device shall be
completed via the CMS system by the individual who deployed the
device. The report shall include the following information-
1. The efforts and personnel involved who attempted to remove the
inmate(s) from the area, or disperse inmates during a major
disturbance, prior to the use of the diversionary device.
2. The estimated distance between the officer deploying the device
and the inmate target when the device was deployed.
3. The type of device deployed.
4. The apparent effects of the diversionary device.
5. Medical attention and assessment of the inmate after evaluation
by medical staff.
B. The use of light/sound diversionary devices constitutes a use of force
and, as such, must be reported in accordance with standard
departmental use of force reporting requirements (see Departmental
Policy and Procedure Section 701).
C. The SERT Commander shall review the use of light/sound diversionary
devices as soon as practical following each incident or operation to
insure the devices were used according to policy and that the devices
functioned properly.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: LIGHT/SOUND DIVERSIONARY DEVICES NO: D-226
FILE: FLASHBNG
VI. STORAGE OF THE DIVERSIONARY DEVICES
A. The diversionary devices shall be stored in the storage locker in the
Main Jail Armory. The devices shall only be removed and utilized in
conjunction with this policy. A periodic check and inventory of
equipment shall be made by a designated SERT Sergeant.
B. Additional devices may be stored in the SERT equipment lockers for
issue and use when appropriate.
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