LESS LETHAL FORCE WEAPONS

The purpose of this General Order is to establish a policy for less lethal force weapon
selection, purchasing, training, qualification, maintenance, and record keeping.

I.

Definition
A.

II.

III.

Less lethal force weapons are defined as the following:

1.

37mm (Penn Arms)

2.

Taser

3.

Pepper Ball

Intent
A.

The Sacramento Sheriff's Department recognizes that officers assigned to

patrol and corrections are the first responders to critical incidents. Life
threatening situations may require immediate action by officers before
specialized units can arrive. It is therefore necessary to provide officers
with the option of utilizing a variety of less lethal force weapons.

B.

It is not the intent of this General Order to dictate operational deployment

of less lethal force weapons, or to compel the use of less lethal force
weapons when, in the judgement of the individual officer, deadly force
may be required.

Authorized Users
A.

Less lethal force is authorized for uniformed officers assigned to Field

Services and Corrections who have:
1.

Been recommended by their immediate supervisor with approval of

the applicable Division Commander.

2.

Completed an authorized training course specifically related to the

individual weapon utilized.

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IV.

Authorized Weapons
A.

B.
V.

Only the following less lethal force weapons are authorized for use by
department personnel:
1.

Penn Arms 37mm, model SL-1

2.

Penn Arms 37mm, model SL-6

3.

Advanced Taser

4.

Pepperball SA200 Launcher

Other weapons may be approved by Executive Staff.

Purchasing
A.

Officers will carry and use only those weapons authorized and purchased
by the department.
1.

2.

37mm weapons
a.

Since these weapons are classified as "firearms", they must

be purchased through the Training Division.

b.

They must be safety checked and cleared by range staff

prior to carrying or utilizing.

Taser and Pepper Ball

a.

VI.

Since these weapons are not classified as "firearms", they

may be purchased through individual Divisions.

Training
A.

Service Area Responsibility

1.

B.

It is the intent of the Sheriff's Department to allow the applicable

service areas to determine the appropriate deployment tactics for
less lethal force weapons.

Training Division Rangemaster Responsibility

1.

The Training Division Rangemaster and/or staff shall be consulted

in order to help coordinate training, qualification, maintenance, and
record keeping.
2

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C.

Officer Responsibility
1.

VII.

No officer shall deploy any less lethal force weapon without first
having completed a departmentally approved training course and is
currently qualified on the weapon to be utilized.

Qualifications
A.

37mm weapons
1.

Qualifications shall occur on a bi-annual basis.

a.

2.

B.

VIII.

For the purpose of this General Order, bi-annual shall mean

once every six months.
(1)

The first six month period shall be January-June.

(2)

The second six month period shall be July-December.

Qualifications shall be conducted at the Kenneth Royal Firearms

Training Facility.

Taser and Pepper Ball

1.

Qualifications and a review of this General Order shall occur on an

annual basis (once a year) department wide during the month of
March.

2.

Qualifications shall be conducted at the respective divisional facility

by trained sworn staff who have been certified by the Sheriffs
Range, to train other sworn staff in the proper use of these
weapons.

Weapon Maintenance
A.

37mm weapons
1.

B.

Since these weapons are classified as "firearms", they must be

maintained by certified armorers through the Sheriff's Range.

Taser and Pepper Ball

1.

The respective division will be responsible for the ordering,

inventorying and maintenance of Taser and Pepperball weapons,
cartridges and associated equipment.

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2.

IX.

Record Keeping for 37mm weapons

A.

X.

Faulty or defective Taser or Pepperball weapons are to be returned

to the applicable manufacturer.

The department "Weapons Qualification Form (7419 Form 017)" shall be

used to record proficiency for 37mm Less Lethal Force Weapons.
1.

The Rangemaster shall be the keeper of the 37mm records and be

responsible for filing the original copy of the form.

2.

The Division Commander shall retain and file the pink copy of the
form in the officer's divisional file.

3.

The officer shall retain the gold copy of the form.

Record Keeping for Taser and Pepperball weapons

A. The Annual Taser Qualification Slip (Appendix A) shall be used to record
proficiency for the Taser weapon.
B. The Annual Pepperball Qualification Slip (Appendix B) shall be used to
record proficiency for the Pepperball weapon.
1. The Division Commander shall be the keeper of the Taser and
Pepperball records and be responsible for filing the original applicable
qualification form in the officers divisional file.
2. The officer shall retain a copy of this form.

Related Orders:

G/O 2/02 - Firearms Training & Qualifications

G/O 2/03 - Firearms Training & Qualifications Special Weapon

Training
G/O 2/09 - Purchase, Issuance of Departmentally Owned Firearms
G/O 2/11 - Use of Force Policy
G/O 2/14 - Use of the Taser
Pat Ops 3/09 - Less Lethal Impact Weapons
References:

Penal Code 12600 - Peace Officers May Possess Less Lethal

Weapons

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ANNUAL TASER QUALIFICATION SLIP

To be completed annually during month of March

DEPUTY: (Last) _______________________ (First) _________________ (Badge #) ______

DIVISION: __________________________
TASER (Serial#) ___________________

PIN # ___________________________

Qualification Date ____/ ____ / _________

Issued cartridge serial numbers: __________________

_____________________

Course of Fire: Taser will be drawn from a holster secured on the opposite side of the
Deputies duty firearm. Taser hits need to be on the cardboard of a standard B-27 target
for passing score. (No time limit)
One cartridge fired at 10 feet
One cartridge fired at 18 feet
Review of G/O 2/15

Pass _____
Pass _____

Fail _____
Fail _____

Deputy initials _______

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION
Instructor will inspect Taser weapon for following conditions:
1.) Condition of holster
2.) Condition of cartridges
3.) Condition of batteries
4.) Condition of Rear sight
5.) Condition of Front sight
6.) Condition of trigger
7.) Condition of battery indicator
8.) Condition of Safety
9.) Condition of Laser emitter
10.) Condition of download port

Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good

Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair
Fair

Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor

Replaced
Replaced
Replaced
Replaced
Replaced
Replaced
Replaced
Replaced
Replaced
Replaced

If Taser is found to be defective or un-repairable please notify Division equipment

manager to return for factory service or replacement.

Qualified and inspected by: _________________________

(Upon completion place in Deputies divisional file)
5

Appendix A
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ANNUAL PEPPERBALL QUALIFICATION SLIP

To be completed annually during the month of March

DEPUTY: (Last) _______________________ (First) _________________ (Badge #) ______

DIVISION: __________________________
Pepperball Model SA-200 Launcher

PIN# ______________________
Qualification Date: ______/ _____ / _____

Course of Fire:
Five Pepperball training rounds fired at a distance of seven yards.
4 out of 5 hits needed inside the 7 ring of a standard B-27 target for a passing score.
Number of hits inside the 7 ring target.
Review of G/O 2/15

______

Pass _____

Fail _____

Deputy initials _______

EQUIPMENT OPERATION
Deputy shall demonstrate ability to perform equipment operation listed below.
1.) Attaching of air supply bottle

Pass

Fail

2.) Loading of weapon

Pass

Fail

3.) Operation of safety

Pass

Fail

If Pepperball weapon is found to be defective or un-repairable, please notify Division

equipment manager to return for factory service or replacement.

Qualified by: _______________________

(Upon completion place in Deputies divisional file)
6

Appendix B
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