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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 J. Zanoni 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. Page 1 of 5 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. Page 2 of 5 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. Page 3 of 5 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. Page 4 of 5 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. Page 5 of 5