5-318 REMOTE RESTRAINT
DEVICE (10/18/19)
I.
PURPOSE
A.
The MPD recognizes that
combative, non-compliant, armed or otherwise violent subjects cause handling
and control problems that require special training and equipment.
B.
The purpose of a remote
restraint device is to facilitate a safe and effective response by immobilizing
and controlling resistive or non-compliant persons and persons with known or
suspected mental health issues, and minimizing injury to suspects, subjects,
and officers.
II.
DEFINITIONS
Remote Restraint Device: The
BolaWrapTM is the only currently authorized remote restraint
device. It is a hand-held device that discharges an eight-foot bola style
Kevlar tether to entangle an individual at a range of 10-25 feet.
III.
POLICY
A. The remote
restraint device has limitations and restrictions requiring consideration
before its use. The device shall only be used when its operator can safely
approach the subject within the operational range of the device. Although the
device is generally effective in controlling most individuals, officers should
be aware that the device may not achieve the intended results and be prepared
with other options.
B. The
remote restraint device should not be used in potentially deadly force
situations without firearm backup.
1. When
used according to the specifications and training, the device should be
considered a low-level use of force.
2. Prior
to using the device, officers need to consider any risks to the public or
themselves
C. Only
officers trained in the use of the remote restraint devices are authorized to
carry and use them.
D. Officers are
only authorized to carry department remote restraint devices while on-duty in a
patrol response function. Officers
shall ensure that remote restraint devices are secured at all times.
IV.
PROCEDURES/REGULATIONS
A.
Standard devices
Officers
shall only carry MPD-approved remote restraint devices, cartridges and cutters.
No personally owned remote restraint devices shall be carried or used.
B.
Target areas
1.
Reasonable efforts should be
made to target lower extremities or lower arms.
2.
The head, neck, chest and
groin shall be avoided.
3.
If the dynamics of a
situation or officer safety do not permit the officer to limit the application
of the remote restraint device to a precise target area, officers should
monitor the condition of the subject if it strikes the head, neck, chest or
groin until the subject is examined by paramedics or other medical personnel.
C.
Deployment
1. The
remote restraint device may be used in any of the following circumstances, when
the circumstances perceived by the officer at the time indicate that such
application is reasonably necessary to control a person:
a. The
subject is violent or is physically resisting.
b. The
subject has demonstrated, by words or action, an intention to be violent or to
physically resist, and reasonably appears to present the potential to harm
officers, themselves or others.
2. Remote
restraint devices should not be used on individuals who are merely fleeing on
foot, without other known and articulable facts or circumstances. Prior to
using the device on a subject in flight the following should be considered:
a. The
severity of the crime at issue;
b. Whether
both of the following apply:
·
The subject poses an immediate threat to the safety of the
officer or others, and;
·
The officer has a reasonable belief that using the device would
not cause significant harm to the subject fleeing unless use of deadly force
would otherwise be permitted.
3. The
aiming laser shall never be intentionally directed into the eyes of anyone as
it may permanently impair their vision.
4. For
tactical reasons, the deploying officer should attempt to avoid being the
contact officer.
D.
Other deployment
considerations
1. Certain
individuals
The use of the remote restraint
device on certain individuals should generally be avoided unless the totality
of the circumstances indicates that other available options reasonably appear
ineffective or would present a greater danger to the officer, the subject or
others, and the officer reasonably believes that the need to control the
individual outweighs the risk of using the device. This includes:
·
Individuals who are known to be pregnant.
·
Elderly individuals.
·
Children (known to be or who appear to be under the age of 12).
·
Individuals who are handcuffed or otherwise restrained.
·
Individuals detained in a police vehicle.
·
Individuals in danger of falling or becoming entangled in
machinery or heavy equipment, which could result in death or serious bodily
injury.
·
Individuals near any body of water that may present a drowning
risk.
·
Individuals whose position or activity may result in collateral
injury (e.g., falls from height, operating vehicles).
2. Repeated
applications of the device
If the first application of the
remote restraint device appears to be ineffective in gaining control of an
individual, officers should consider certain factors before additional
applications of the device, including:
·
Whether the Kevlar cord or barbs are making proper contact.
·
Whether the individual has the ability and has been given a
reasonable opportunity to comply.
·
Whether verbal commands, other options or tactics may be more
effective.
3.
Dangerous animals
The
remote restraint device should not be deployed against an animal as part of a
plan to deal with a potentially dangerous animal, such as a dog, etc. This
device was not intended for use against animals. However, if the animal
reasonably appears to pose an imminent threat to human safety and alternative
methods are not reasonably available or would likely be ineffective the remote
restraint device may be deployed to protect against harm to suspects, subjects
and officers.
4.
Verbal warnings
a.
When feasible, officers
should air a notification on the radio when arriving at a scene with the
intention of using a remote restraint device.
b.
When appropriate given the
situation, officers discharging a remote restraint device should yell
"Bola, Bola, Bola!" prior to and during discharge.
c.
Officers shall air a
notification on the radio as soon as feasible after discharging a remote
restraint device to alert dispatch and other officers that the sound was a
device being discharged.
d.
The fact that a verbal or
other warning was given or the reasons it was not given shall be documented by
the officer deploying the remote restraint device in the related report.
E.
Carrying and storage
1.
Officers shall only use
department-approved remote restraint devices that have been issued by the
Department.
2.
Only officers who have
successfully completed department-approved training may be authorized to carry
and deploy the remote restraint device.
3.
All remote restraint devices
are clearly and distinctly marked to differentiate them from the duty weapon
and any other device.
4.
Uniformed and plainclothes
officers who have been authorized to carry the remote restraint device shall
wear the device in an approved holster on their person or keep the device
safely and properly stored in their City vehicle.
5.
Officers shall ensure that
their remote restraint device is properly maintained and in good working order.
Officers shall notify the Training Division of any issues, as the Training
Division is in charge of inventory and maintenance of the devices.
6.
Officers should not hold both
a firearm and the remote restraint device at the same time.
F.
Medical treatment
1.
Medical assistance shall be
rendered as necessary in accordance with P&P 5-306 and the Emergency
Medical Response policy (P&P 7-350).
a.
Additionally, any such
individual who falls under any of the following categories should, as soon as
practicable, be examined by paramedics or other qualified medical personnel:
·
The person is suspected of
being under the influence of controlled substances or alcohol.
·
The person may be pregnant.
·
The remote restraint device
pellets are lodged in a sensitive area (e.g., groin, female breast, head, face,
neck).
2.
Officers on scene shall
determine whether transporting the person to a medical facility is necessary to
remove the pellets or barbs.
3.
If officers determine that
cutting the tether is reasonable and appropriate, officers may cut the tether
at the scene using medical scissors.
G.
Use of Force reporting
1.
Officers that deploy a remote
restraint device shall report the force in accordance with P&P 5-306, and
shall complete a report entitled "FORCE."
2.
If a supervisor was not
notified prior to deployment, officers who deploy the remote restraint device
shall notify a supervisor to respond to the scene.
3.
Officers shall document any
injuries or points of contact, with photographs whenever possible.
4.
A supervisor shall respond to
the scene any time a remote restraint device is used. The responding supervisor
shall review the incident and complete a use of force review in accordance with
P&P 5-307.
5.
Supervisors shall ensure that
all expended cartridges, pellets, barbs and cord are collected and property
inventoried if possible.
H.
Transport of subjects
If
an officer transports the subject, the transporting officer shall inform any
person providing medical care or receiving custody that the individual has been
subjected to the application of the remote restraint device.
I.
BolaWrapTM pilot device form
1.
In addition to incident and
force reporting, deployment of the remote restraint device shall be documented
by each discharging officer using the BolaWrapTM Test and Evaluation form. The
following information is required on the form:
·
Device and cartridge serial
numbers.
·
Date, time and location of
the incident.
·
Whether any display or laser
deterred a subject and gained compliance.
·
Number of device activations
and the duration between activations.
·
Range at which the device was
used (as best as can be determined).
·
Locations of impact from any
deployments.
·
Whether medical care was
provided to the subject.
·
Whether the subject sustained
any injuries.
·
Whether any officers
sustained any injuries.
2.
The Training Division will
periodically analyze the report forms to identify trends, including deterrence
and effectiveness.
Definitions
Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.