USE OF FORCE CONTINUUM
Step 1 — Verbal De-escalation
Always attempt to calm the situation. Use clear commands, de-escalate tension, and avoid provocative actions or language.
Step 2 — Formal Warning
Explicitly identify yourself as an SAPD officer and warn the individual that physical or chemical force will be applied if they fail to comply—unless an immediate threat makes warning impossible.
Step 3 — Threat Assessment
Prior to introducing physical or tactical force, evaluate:
- Does the target possess verified active arrest warrants?
- What is the current officer-to-suspect ratio on the immediate scene?
- Are known hostile accomplices or vehicles nearby?
- Is tactical repositioning or backing off a safer option for all parties?
Non-Lethal Force Thresholds:
Authorized strictly to protect yourself or civilians, affect a lawful arrest, or prevent the physical escape of a detained individual.
Lethal Force Thresholds:
Authorized
only when there is an imminent threat of death or severe, life-altering bodily injury to yourself or a civilian, or if a fleeing suspect has already inflicted death/severe injury and poses a continuing threat.
Discharging Firearms at Vehicles:
Permitted strictly under these scenarios:
- Occupants are actively firing weapons out of the vehicle at officers or civilians.
- Occupants previously discharged a weapon at an officer and are now actively fleeing.
- Vehicle Assault Rule: If an officer is intentionally run over, you are only permitted to fire at the vehicle at the precise geographic location where the assault occurred. Do not shoot if the vehicle has cleared the immediate scene.
PROHIBITED BALLISTIC ACTIONS:
• No Warning Shots: Never fire warning shots into the air or ground. They create lethal risks to bystanders and properties.
• No Weapon Waving: Do not unholster or point your firearm unless the tactical situation provides legal justification for deadly force.
MANDATORY ARREST PROCEDURE
Every formal arrest must follow this sequence perfectly to preserve chain of custody and legality:
- Restrain: Place the suspect in handcuffs (( /cuff )).
- Search & Seizure: Conduct a thorough search of their person (( /frisk )) before executing any seizure commands (( /seize )). Crucial: Ensure all appropriate charges are applied before removing contraband
- Miranda Warning: Read the suspect their Miranda Rights (( /mir )). This must be spoken aloud at least once prior to arriving at the state prison complex.
- Transport: Secure the suspect safely inside the cruiser's rear partition and transport them directly to the state prison.
- Booking: Escort the prisoner directly to the central cell block, conduct a final security check, and book them in.
Arrest Legality Notes:
- If a suspect possesses a legal firearm and it was not discharged or used in a crime, do not seize it.
- If you lack individual permissions to seize illegal goods, request a Probationary Officer or higher to meet you at the processing cells.
- Never duplicate item seizures; do not seize the exact same contraband items twice.
OFFICER DOWN & MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
- Immediately request emergency EMS/Ambulance services to the coordinates following any tactical use of force or officer injury.
- If live EMS personnel are un-vouchered or unavailable, you must render medical aid personally via stabilization commands (( /revive )).
- During active Code 30 or 10-53 crises, prioritize requests for localized tactical backup and clearance of the immediate perimeter before treating the wounded.
- Once the scene is stabilized, immediately transport injured personnel or suspects to the nearest medical center facility.
SAPD CORE PRINCIPLE: Officer preservation, life-saving field triage, and scene stability take absolute priority over eliminating the suspects.
HOSTAGE SITUATIONS
A hostage situation is always a very dangerous situation as it is an innocent person being held under direct and active threat by an offender or multiple offenders. It becomes a fact that the victim can be harmed at any moment and therefore it is absolutely crucial to begin negotiation process as soon as possible.
Hostage situations are to be dealt with by the highest ranked officer on the scene in case of absence of a Police Detective. Specialized units SWAT may be deployed for this situation and the person in-charge of the tactical team automatically occupies the role of a tactical leader.
In hostage situations it is crucial to hold a tight perimeter, where nobody can come out and nobody can come in. A lot of curious civilians will gather around to spectate — some of them may be giving out information to the offenders inside, so be aware that you are being watched.
Assigned Roles
- Negotiator — This position is assumed by a member of the Detectives. The task is to prolong the situation for as long as possible to avoid injury or death to the hostage, and to allow tactical teams time to prepare. This role can be taken over by the highest ranking member of SAPD on scene if no Detectives are present.
- Tactical Leader — This position is assumed by the SWAT Incident Leader, or otherwise by a Detective if one is on scene, or lastly by the highest ranked SAPD member.
- Officer in Charge — This position is assumed by the highest ranked officer on scene. Their primary role is to ensure that a secure perimeter is set up around the area and that the perimeter isn't breached.
