Use of Force

1.0 Purpose

This policy establishes guidelines for the use of force by campus security officers.

2.0 Revision

3.0 Persons Affected

3.1 All Casper College security officers

3.2 The Department of Campus Security

4.0 Policy

The policy of Casper College is to ensure the following:

4.1 Campus Security recognizes and respects the value of all human life and dignity without prejudice to anyone. Vesting officers with the authority to use force and to protect the community welfare requires monitoring, evaluation, and a careful balancing of all interests.

4.2 The college has defined and set guidelines for the use of force.

4.3 The use of force is exercised within the bounds of appropriate local, state, and federal law, and consistent with the training provided by Campus Security and the guidelines established by this policy

4.4 Campus Security exercises the use of force only when objectively reasonable to protect themselves and others.

4.5 The college has procedures that stipulate only qualified officers are approved to use force.

4.6 Force will not be used maliciously to cause harm or as a form of punishment.

4.7 Anyone who observes a campus security officer or an employee use force that potentially exceeds what is reasonably believed to be necessary shall promptly report these observations to the Director of Human Resources or the Vice President of Student Services as soon as feasible.

5.0 Definitions

5.1 Casper College Security Officers. Individuals employed by the college within the department of Campus Security.

5.2 Use of Force. Amount of effort required by an officer to compel compliance by an unwilling subject, under the then existing circumstances.

5.2.1 Less-Than-Lethal Force: force exerted by a Security Officer, Level 1 or Level 2 status, upon another person that, under normal circumstances, is more likely than not, to not result in death or serious bodily injury.

5.2.2 Lethal Force: force exerted by a Security Officer, Level 2 status, upon another person that under normal circumstances, is more likely than not, to result in death or serious bodily injury.

5.3 Level Status. A designation applied to campus security that stipulates the level of training and use of force.

5.3.1 Level 1 status: employees under the direct supervision of the Director of Campus Security which have met the less-than-lethal training requirements of this procedure.

5.3.2 Level 2 status: employees under the direct supervision of the Director of Campus Security which have met both less-than-lethal and lethal force training requirements of this procedure.

6.0 Responsibilities

6.1 The Director of Campus Security is responsible for ensuring training, level status assignment, oversight, and enforcement of the appropriate policies, procedures, laws, and state statutes.

6.2 The Director of Human Resources, in collaboration with the Director of Campus Security, is responsible for ensuring qualified personnel are recruited, vetted, and hired to fill the position of Campus Security Officer.

6.2 The Director of Security is responsible for maintaining compliance with this policy.

7.0 Procedures

7.1 Use of Force

7.1.1 In situations where Security Officers, Level 1 or Level 2 status, reasonably determine that use of force is required to protect themselves or others, local law enforcement must first be contacted if time and circumstances allow.

7.1.2 Force can be deployed once the Security Officer, Level 1 or Level 2 status, reasonably determines that it is required to protect themselves or a third party from immediate physical harm.

7.1.3 Security Officers, Level 1 or Level 2 status, are permitted to use force only in a manner consistent with applicable state, local, and federal laws, and their training.

7.1.4 Any incident requiring the use of force against any person on Casper College property shall be documented by all involved Security Officer(s), Level 1 or Level 2 status, completing a detailed report on the incident which includes specific information as to why force was warranted.  Copies of these reports will be submitted to the Director of Campus Security, Vice President of Student Services, and the President of Casper College.  These reports will be maintained electronically for no less than ten (10) years from the date of the incident.

7.1.5 When potentially lethal force is used or a firearm is discharged, an investigation will be conducted by the Casper Police Department along with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.  Copies of these reports will be submitted to the Director of Campus Security, Vice President of Student Services, and the President of Casper College.  These reports will be maintained electronically for no less than ten (10) years from the date of the incident.  The Security Officer will be placed on administrative leave through the completion of the investigation or as deemed necessary to return to duty.

7.2 Less-Than-Lethal Force

7.2.1 Less-Than-Lethal force can only be deployed by a Security Officer, Level 1 or Level 2 status, to protect themselves or a third party from immediate physical harm.

7.2.2 Currently authorized methods of less-than-lethal force for campus Security Officers, Level 1 and Level 2 status, will be detailed in the campus security departmental training manual, and may include:

• Physical holds
• Physical Restraining Device (i.e. handcuffs, zip ties)
• Tasers
• OC aerosol pepper spray

7.2.3 The restraining device, Taser, and OC spray will be issued to each Security Officer, Level 1 and Level 2 status.

7.2.4 Each Security Officer, Level 1 and Level 2 status, will be trained on each method of less-than-lethal force before being permitted to deploy this method.

7.3 Potentially Lethal Force

7.3.1 Potentially lethal force can only be deployed by a Security Officer, Level 2 status, and only after the Security Officer, Level 2 status, reasonably determines that it is required to protect themselves or a third party from an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death.

7.3.2 Currently authorized potentially lethal equipment includes firearms issued to the Security Officers, Level 2 status, by the college.

7.3.3 Security Officers, Level 2 status, shall carry department-issued firearms and ammunition.

7.3.4 Security Officers, Level 2 status, are not authorized to fire warning shots.

7.3.5 Security Officers, Level 2 status, shall not point their firearm at a person(s) to whom the use of potentially lethal force is not imminent or appropriate.

7.3.6 Security Officers, Level 2 status, shall not shoot at or from a moving vehicle.

7.4 Administrative

7.4.1 Records of attendance at training, including, but not limited to, firearms range training and qualifications, along with scores, will be recorded by the Director of Campus Security and/or designee. After department training, qualification, or certification, the recorded information will be placed in the Security Officer’s personnel file and maintained according to the college’s record retention policy.

7.4.2 The Director of Security will be firearm trained and qualified by a POST-certified firearms instructor from another agency. The agency will provide records of training and scores to the Human Resources Department, who will place information in the Director of Security’s personnel file.

7.4.3 The Director of HR will ensure Security Officers and the Director of Security meet all job requirements outlined in the position description and meet training requirements, including qualifications and continuing firearms training. Any person who is appointed as a Security Officer or Director of Security shall forfeit his/ her position should he/ she fail to meet the minimum training requirements.

7.4.4 The Use of Force Policy and Procedures shall be reviewed annually by all personnel subject to its conditions.

7.4.5 A Use of Force report will be produced on an annual basis by the Department of Campus Security and will be made available to the public.

7.4.6 Further details regarding training and qualifications; equipment assignment, maintenance, and storage; and other details relevant to the operations of Campus Safety are maintained in the Director of Campus Security’s office.