Firearms Justification
You are only justified in discharging your firearm when there is an immediate risk to your life, or the life of someone else, or there is an immediate risk of serious injury to you or someone else and there is no other way of preventing the risk.
Baton Justification
The decision to use your baton rests with you. You may use your baton if in danger of being overpowered or to protect yourself or others from injury. The force used must always be reasonable.
Handcuff Justification
The decision to handcuff rests with you. Officer safety is paramount. Generally, you are justified in handcuffing prisoners only when they have tried to escape, or to prevent escape or injury to themselves or others.
Defensive Spray Justification
Use defensive spray only for:
- Protection of human life
- As a less lethal option for controlling people, where violent resistance or confrontation occurs (or is likely to occur)
- Protection from animals.
Conducted Electrical Weapon (CEW) Justification
When considering the discharge of a CEW, officers should consider all tactical options available to them in the Tactical Options Model. Before removing the CEW from the holster, officers will assess the if the deployment of the CEW is the best option for the prevailing situation having regard to the Criteria to Discharge a Taser to:
- Protect human life
- Protect yourself or others where violent confrontation or violent resistance is occuring or imminent
- Protect an officer/s in danger of being overpowered or to protect themselves or another person from the risk of Actual Bodily Harm
- Protection from animals.
