CELL EXTRACTION D-225 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FORCED CELL EXTRACTION NO: D-225
FILE: CELL EXTRACTION
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12-25-94 REVISED: 04-16-96, 03-01-97, 01-01-00, 03-01-03
03-01-04
AUTHORITY: Sheriff J. Zanoni APPROVED BY: Captain M. Leonardo
REFERENCE: Penal Code Sections 6030, 12600 and 12601; Title 15, Sections
1029(a)(3), 1029(a)(4) and 1058; Departmental Policy and
Procedure Section 700/Use of Force.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish and maintain a legal, safe, humane, and
consistent method for the forcible movement of an inmate in custody.
POLICY:
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau that the forced
cell extraction procedure shall only be utilized when there is a legitimate penological
interest in the expeditious movement or transfer of an inmate and the inmate refuses to
voluntarily move or transfer.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau that prior to the
use of a cell extraction team to move an inmate, authorization must first be obtained from
the Watch Commander.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Department Detention Bureau that only those
staff members who have received Department-approved training in this cell extraction
procedure shall participate as a member of a cell extraction team.
PROCEDURES:
I. CELL EXTRACTION TRAINING
Staff members shall attend a two (2) hour instructional course specific to cell
extraction techniques prior to their participation as a member of a cell
extraction team.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FORCED CELL EXTRACTION NO: D-225
FILE: CELL EXTRACTION
II. CELL EXTRACTION EQUIPMENT
A. Cell extraction teams shall utilize basic equipment, based upon the
circumstances of the cell extraction. Examples of basic equipment
include:
1. Plexiglass shield
2. Protective vest
3. Helmet with face shield
4. Protective riot gloves
5. Elbow and knee pads
6. Handcuffs and leg shackles
7. A (green) cell extraction jumpsuit
B. Less-lethal munitions and other OC/CS gas delivery equipment may
only be used with the prior approval of the Watch Commander. Only
those persons who have successfully completed a Departmentally-
approved training course in the proper use and deployment of less-
lethal and OC/CS gas delivery equipment may be authorized to
deploy those devices.
C. All equipment issued for a cell extraction shall be stored in the Main
Jail Armory. Additional weapons and ammunition are stored in the
SERT lockers.
III. USE OF THE CELL EXTRACTION TEAM
A. Reasonable efforts to gain voluntary compliance from the inmate shall
be utilized prior to the use of force and/or the cell extraction
procedure.
B. Utilization of the extraction procedure and team shall be for the
purpose of controlling the inmate.
C. The cell extraction procedure shall not be used in the following
manner:
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FORCED CELL EXTRACTION NO: D-225
FILE: CELL EXTRACTION
1. In any manner or condition inconsistent with the approved
Department training.
2. In any manner inconsistent with legal, professional, or ethical
conduct.
3. As punishment.
4. With equipment or personnel other than that authorized by this
policy.
5. On a passive inmate or an inmate who is in restraints.
IV. TACTICAL OPERATION
A. Each cell extraction team shall be comprised of up to six members
plus a team leader,who will be a Sergeant. The number of staff used
shall be at the discretion of the Watch Commander.
B. Each staff participant will be assigned to perform a specific
assignment during the tactical operation. The strategic placement of
staff is as follows-
1. TEAM LEADER/SUPERVISOR - The tactical commander
responsible for the operation. The team leader/supervisor shall
give the signal for the extraction unit to enter the cell once every
reasonable attempt has been made to allow the inmate to exit
the cell on their own. It is their responsibility to signal the start of
the extraction, to deploy any devices, and if necessary, to help
create diversionary tactics immediately upon opening the cell
door.
2. DOOR CONTROLLER - Upon command, shall be responsible
for keying, opening, and holding the cell door open during the
cell extraction.
3. SHIELD OFFICER - The shield officer shall be the first to enter
the cell and make initial physical contact with the inmate. Upon
a signal from the team leader, the shield officer shall enter the
cell with the shield handles held at chest level. During the initial
entry they shall make contact with the inmate in the upper chest
area with the top portion of the front of the shield and
simultaneously push the inmate to the wall helping to immobilize
the inmate. The shield officer should attempt to avoid striking
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FORCED CELL EXTRACTION NO: D-225
FILE: CELL EXTRACTION
the inmate with the edge of the shield.
4. HANDCUFF AND LEG RESTRAINT OFFICERS -As the inmate
is pinned against the wall by the shield officer, the officer
carrying the handcuffs will immediately and forcibly pin the
inmate at the shoulder area while the officer carrying leg
restraints will grasp and pull out on the inmate's lower legs. The
shield officer will then follow through by assisting in pushing the
inmate down with the protective shield. This is all done in one
rapid and coordinated action.
The handcuff and leg restraint officers will then place their
respective restraints on the inmate. The inmate will be
handcuffed with their hands behind their back.
C. During the tactical operation, there shall be no talking amongst the
extraction team members once the signal to enter the cell is given by
the supervisor, with the following exceptions-
1. The handcuff officer shall announce to the team, "HANDS
SECURE" when the handcuff restraints are securely placed on
the inmate.
2. The leg restraint officer shall announce to the team, "LEGS
SECURE" as soon as the leg restraints are securely placed on
the inmate.
D. Once restrained, the inmate should not be carried out of the cell by
team members. Rather, the inmate should be placed into a
Departmentally-approved control hold and escorted from the area.
E. Additional tactics or methods may be used at the discretion of the
Watch Commander. Some factors that may influence the decision to
use additional tactics or methods may include-
1. Number of inmates involved
2. Location of the incident
3. If weapons are involved
4. If the inmate is under the influence of a controlled substance
5. Medical and/or mental health conditions of the inmate
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FORCED CELL EXTRACTION NO: D-225
FILE: CELL EXTRACTION
V. USE OF FORCE
The use of force during a cell extraction shall be in compliance with the
Fresno County Sheriffs Department Policies and Procedures Section 700.
VI. FOLLOW-UP
A. Medical attention shall be provided to every inmate involved in a
forced extraction even though there are no obvious or apparent
injuries.
B. Injuries to staff shall be reported to the team supervisor immediately.
Medical treatment will be administered as necessary and the
appropriate reports and forms completed.
C. It shall be the responsibility of the extraction team supervisor to
ensure that all the equipment used during the extraction is accounted
for after the incident and that any damages to the equipment are
reported for replacement or repair.
VI I. USE OF LESS-LETHAL MUNITIONS
A. Less-lethal munitions and other authorized cell extraction equipment
may only be used with the prior approval of the Watch Commander.
B. Only those persons who have successfully completed a
Departmentally-approved training course in the proper use and
deployment of the authorized cell extraction equipment may be
authorized to deploy the devices.
C. Less-lethal munitions shall only be utilized on an inmate who has a
history of violence or who gives an indication that they intend to
violently resist the move and/or the cell extraction team.
D. When used as per this policy, less-lethal munitions shall only be
utilized in conjunction with a fully equipped cell extraction. After the
less-lethal munitions have been fired at the inmate, the cell extraction
team will immediately use the cell extraction procedure to restrain and
remove the inmate from the area.
E. Expended rounds and miscellaneous round parts shall be retrieved by
the Sergeant and forwarded with the Use of Force report to the SERT
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FORCED CELL EXTRACTION NO: D-225
FILE: CELL EXTRACTION
or Watch Commander (as applicable)
F. An inmate who has been the target of a fired round shall receive
immediate medical attention for injuries as soon as possible after
restraint.
Vill. DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
A. A detailed report of the cell extraction shall be completed by a
designated team member(JREP IINC 1001). The report shall include
the following information-
1. The efforts and personnel utilized to attempt to remove the
inmate from the area prior to the implementation of the cell
extraction procedures.
2. The estimated distance between the officer firing a less-lethal
weapon and the inmate target when the weapon was fired.
a. The type of device used
b. The location of the projectile impact
c. The apparent effects on the inmate
3. Medical attention and assessment of the inmate after evaluation
by medical staff with specific attention given to the impact
location, if applicable.
B. The Sergeant shall complete and submit a Use of Force Evaluation
Report.
C. Photographs of any injuries should be taken and attached to the Use
of Force Evaluation Report.
IX. STORAGE OF LESS-LETHAL MUNITIONS
A. All weapons and ammunition shall be stored in the Main Jail Armory.
This equipment shall only be removed and utilized in conjunction with
this procedure. A periodic check and inventory of equipment shall be
made by a designated SERT member.
B. Additional low-impact rounds will be stored in the SERT equipment
lockers for issue and use when appropriate.
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: FORCED CELL EXTRACTION NO: D-225
FILE: CELL EXTRACTION
X. CLEANING OF CELL EXTRACTION EQUIPMENT
A. The tactical equipment used in the cell extraction procedure shall be
maintained and cleaned on a regular basis as determined by the
SERT Commander.
B. After use, the cell extraction jumpsuits shall be placed inside the white
laundry bag in the Armory. The Services Unit shall be notified and will
arrange to have the jumpsuits cleaned.
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