FCC Academic Catalog 2016-2017

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2016/2017 fcc catalog
196 • 301.846.2400
3. Determining the Appropriate Level of Force
FCC security officers when assessing whether
force should be employed and the appropriate
level of force to employ shall consider all relevant
information, including, but not limited to, the
following:
a. The nature, extent, and imminence of the
threat or perceived threat to the security
officer and/or a third parties presented by the
individual(s);
b. The severity of the crime or incident;
c. The threat level posed or perceived to be
posed by the individuals(s);
d. The availability of, and benefit of, other
options or tactics which do not involve the use
of physical force;
e. The skill level of the particular security officer
in various tactics and techniques;
f. The threat posed to innocent third party(s).
4. Inappropriate Uses of Force
FCC security officers using physical force in
the performance of their duties must do so
in accordance with the requirements of this
procedure. FCC security officers are only
authorized to use physical force in support of
the lawful objectives described above in subpart
2. In accordance with the provisions above, FCC
security officers shall use the minimum amount
and level of force necessary to accomplish their
lawful objectives. Each use of physical force
by a FCC security officer shall be evaluated by
FCC’s administration to determine whether
appropriate force was employed in accordance
with the requirements of this procedure. Should
it be determined that an FCC security officer
employed excessive force, the security officer
will be subject to disciplinary action up to and
including termination of employment.
5. Prohibited Uses of Force
FCC security officers, notwithstanding any
provision of this procedure to the contrary,
shall not knowingly or intentionally use deadly
force in the performance of their duties. Absent
the reasonable apprehension of an imminent
threat of death or serious physical injury, FCC
security officers, when employing physical
force in accordance with this policy, shall not
intentionally give direct blows to the head or
other vital areas of the body. FCC security officers
shall not employ chokeholds that restrict an
individual’s ability to breath or the flow of blood
to the brain.
6. Wearing, Carrying, Possession, or Use of Weapons
Security personnel who have received College
approved training and endorsement by the
College to employ College supplies and
authorized weapons. These weapons or tools
are explicitly limited to: handcuffs, baton, and
Oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray.
D. Report Requirements
All incidents involving the employment of
physical force by a FCC security officer shall be
thoroughly examined to determine whether the
use of force was authorized and justified under
the circumstances.
See Administrative Report Guidelines in this
procedure.
E. Responsibilities
1. Security Officer Responsibilities
a. FCC security officers will immediately report
and provide written documentation of any
incident involving the use of physical force to
supervisors and Chief of Security. A Use of Force
Report documenting any incident involving the
use of force shall be completed and submitted
prior to the conclusion of a security officer’s shift
in which the use of force occurred. A Use of
Force Report shall be separate from the standard
incident report produced in reference to an
incident. A Use of Force Report shall specifically
address the circumstances which led the security
officer employing physical force to conclude an
imminent threat existed which required the use
of physical force, a description of the physical
force employed, and a description of any injuries
sustained by the security officer, third parties, or
the individual(s) against whom physical force
was employed.
b. If the use of physical force results in injury, the
security officer shall, if appropriate:
(1) Render first aid to the injured;
(2) Alert dispatch to the situation and request
medical assistance and additional personnel as
necessary:
(3) Request that local law enforcement authorities
respond to the scene of the incident;
(4) Secure and protect the scene of the incident,
including but not limited to, preserving all
physical evidence;
(5) Identify witnesses and obtain written
statements; and
(6) Remain on the scene until supervisory
personnel arrive, unless there are hazardous
conditions, which require evacuation of the
immediate area.
2. Supervisor Responsibilities
a. An FCC Campus Security Supervisor shall
immediately respond to the scene of any
incident where a FCC security officer has
employed the use of physical force. The
responding FCC Campus Security Supervisor
shall:
(1) Ensure the welfare of the security officers
involved in the incident;
(2) Ensure that anyone injured in the incident
receives immediate medical treatment;
(3) Interview all parties involved in the incident;
(4) Interview all witnesses;
(5) Coordinate with any local law enforcement
officers responding to the scene;
(6) Complete an initial review of the incident
to determine whether physical force was
employed in compliance with this procedure
and make recommendations to the Chief of
Security;
(7) Notify the Executive Director of Risk
Management and Public Services. In the
absence of the Executive Director of Risk
Management and Public Services, the
responding supervisor shall notify the
Assistant Director of Risk Management and
Public Services and the Vice President for
Administration.
(8) An on-duty supervisor must respond to the
scene and take digital photographs of all parties
involved in the Use of Force incident at the time
the incident occurs.
F. Guidelines for Administrative Reports
1. Use of Force Reports shall include, but not be
limited to, the following principles:
a. Report the facts accurately; guesses, theories,
and editorial comments have no place in Use of
Force Reports.
b. Use of Force Reports shall not be written
solely to supply justification for the physical
force employed in an incident. A fair, accurate,
impartial reporting of the facts will determine
if the force employed in a given incident was
justified and complied with the requirements
of this procedure. A statement of the security
officer’s state of mind at the time physical force
was employed is often useful and, to the extend
known, should be included in a Use of Force
Report.
c. Note any property which was damaged as a
result of the incident.
d. Note any evidence recovered at the scene of
incident.
e. Note any witnesses interviewed.
f. Note any physical injuries sustained as a result
of the incident and any resulting medical
treatment.
g. If a drawing or diagram of the scene would be
helpful in understanding what occurred, one
should be attached to the Use of Force Report.
h. Attach any photographs relevant to the
incident, including but not limited to,
photographs of injured individuals, property
damage, and the scene of the incident.
i. Note any involvement of local law enforcement
authorities either during the incident or after
the fact.
j. Explain why alternatives to the use of physical
force were not used to resolve the incident.
k. Explain why the level of physical force
employed during the incident was appropriate.