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Use of Force

Lancaster’s Use of Force Policy

It is the policy of the Lancaster Bureau of Police that officers may only use force when it is Objectively Reasonable, Proportional and Necessary given the totality of the circumstances. These circumstances include but are not limited to the force necessary to effect an arrest, control an individual, lawfully detain a subject, prevent escape, or to protect themselves or others.

Use of Force Policy

Lancaster’s Use of Force Policy

It is the policy of the Lancaster Bureau of Police that officers may only use force when it is Objectively Reasonable, Proportional and Necessary given the totality of the circumstances. These circumstances include but are not limited to the force necessary to effect an arrest, control an individual, lawfully detain a subject, prevent escape, or to protect themselves or others. Officers will attempt to gain the voluntary compliance of subjects when feasible and consistent with personal and public safety. Officers will use de-escalation techniques to reduce or prevent the need for force when it is safe and feasible to do so based on the totality of the circumstances. Officers will continually assess the situation, modifying the use of force as circumstances dictate and increasing or decreasing the level of force as circumstances evolve. Officers may enter or exit the use of force continuum at whichever level of force is appropriate. While no policy can anticipate every possible situation or exceptional circumstance which an officer will face, officers are expected to exercise critical decision making and sound judgement. It is the policy of the Lancaster Bureau of Police to protect and serve the community with professionalism, respect and courtesy. This policy is to be reviewed annually.

Lancaster’s Use of Force Policy (PDF)

Lancaster's Use of Force Continuum

Use of Force Continuum

A use of force (UOF) continuum is a standard that provides law enforcement officers and civilians with guidelines as to how much force may be used against a resisting subject in a given situation. The purpose of these models is to clarify, both for law enforcement officers and civilians, the complex subject of use of force. They are often central parts of law enforcement agencies’ use of force policies.

Lancaster’s Use of Force Continuum

  1. Officer Presence
    Identification of authority
  2. Verbal Direction
    Commands of direction or arrest
  3. Soft Empty Hand Control
    Techniques that have a minimal probability of injury
  4. Hard Empty Hand Control
    Techniques that have a high probability of injury
  5. Intermediate Weapons
    Impact weapon strike
  6. Deadly Force
    Deadly force actions

De-Escalation

De-Escalation

When safe and feasible to do so given the totality of the circumstances officers shall attempt to take action to prevent or decrease the need to use force during an incident and to increase the likelihood of voluntary compliance.

Such techniques include but are not limited to:

  1. Persuasion, advice and provide a warning prior to using force.
  2. Establishing a rapport and engaging in communication with the subject.
  3. Evaluating whether the use of time, distance and positioning to create a buffer zone or create a reactionary gap will stabilize the situation.
  4. When appropriate, request additional resources.

What is Deadly Force?

What is Deadly Force?

Deadly Force is any force that creates a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily injury. In Lancaster, officers are only authorized to use deadly force in the following situations:

  • To protect themselves or others from what is reasonably believed to be an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury.
  • To prevent a crime where the suspect’s actions place people in imminent jeopardy of death or serious bodily injury.
  • To prevent the escape of a violent fleeing felon when there is probable cause to believe the escape will pose a significant threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or others if apprehension is delayed. In this circumstance, officers shall, to the extent practicable, avoid using deadly force that might subject innocent bystanders or hostages to possible death or injury.

Officers avoid the use of choke holds or strikes to the head with an instrument other than hands or fists, unless lethal force is reasonably believed to be necessary within the guidelines of the law and the Use of Force policy.

Duty to Intervene

Duty to Intervene

When in a position to do so, officers shall intervene when they know or have reason to know that another officer is about to use or is using unnecessary force. Officers shall promptly report any use of unnecessary force, and the efforts made to intervene, to a supervisor.

These statistics are taken from the Lancaster City Bureau of Police IA Pro™ database, then manually verified by staff in the Professional Standards division.