Cal. Code Regs. tit. 15 § 3268
The purpose of this Section is to set forth Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) policy governing the use of force. The policy has its foundation in California Penal Code statutes and relevant case decisions.
The force that an objective, trained and competent correctional employee, faced with similar facts and circumstances, would consider necessary and reasonable to subdue an attacker, overcome resistance, effect custody, or gain compliance with a lawful order.
The use of force when none is required or appropriate.
The use of more force than is objectively reasonable to accomplish a lawful purpose.
The force used to respond without delay to a situation or circumstance that constitutes an imminent threat to institution/facility security or the safety of persons. Immediate force may be necessary to subdue an attacker, overcome resistance, or effect custody. If it is necessary to use force solely to gain compliance with a lawful order, controlled force shall be used.
An imminent threat is any situation or circumstance that jeopardizes the safety of persons or compromises the security of the institution and requires immediate action to stop the threat. Some examples include, but are not limited to: an attempt to escape, on-going physical harm, or active physical resistance.
The force used in an institution/facility setting, when an inmate's presence or conduct poses a threat to safety or security and the inmate is located in an area that can be controlled or isolated.
Force that utilizes techniques or instruments that are not specifically authorized in policy, procedures, or training. Depending on the circumstances, non-conventional force can be necessary and reasonable; it can also be unnecessary or excessive.
Any use of force that is not likely to result in death.
Any use of force that is likely to result in death. Any discharge of a firearm other than the lawful discharge during weapons qualifications, firearms training, or other legal recreational use of a firearm, is deadly force.
The Response Supervisor is the first line supervisor in an institution/facility responsible for the area where an incident occurs.
The Responding Supervisor is the first line supervisor responsible for the employee involved in an incident.
The Incident Commander is the second line supervisor in an institution/facility responsible for the area where an incident occurs or an allegation of excessive or unnecessary force is received.
A First Level Manager in an institution/facility is a Facility Captain/Correctional Captain.
A First Line Manager is a Parole Administrator, District Administrator, Special Agent-In-Charge, or Senior Special Agent.
A Second Level Manager in an institution/facility is an Associate Warden.
A Second Line Manager is a Deputy Regional Parole Administrator or Chief.
The IERC is a committee of institution staff chaired by the respective Institution Head tasked with reviewing all uses of force and every allegation of excessive or unnecessary force.
Department Executive Review Committee (DERC) is a committee of staff selected by, and including, the Associate Director who oversees the respective institution/facility Mission-based group. The DERC shall review all incidents involving deadly force, serious injury, great bodily injury or death. The DERC shall also review those incidents referred to the DERC by the IERC Chairperson or otherwise requested by the DERC.
The FERC is a committee of field staff chaired by the respective Regional Parole Administrator, Assistant Secretary, or Chief tasked with reviewing all uses of force and every allegation of excessive or unnecessary force.
DFIT is a team of trained department investigators that shall conduct criminal and administrative investigations into every use of deadly force and every death or great bodily injury that could have been caused by a staff use of force, except the lawful discharge of a firearm during weapons qualifications or firearms training, or other legal recreational uses of a firearm. Although defined as deadly force DFIT need not investigate the discharge of a warning shot inside an institution/facility if an Investigative Services Unit Sergeant or above, or an uninvolved Correctional Lieutenant or above confirms that the discharge of deadly force was a warning shot and that no injuries were caused by the shot. All warning shots shall be reported to the Office of Internal Affairs/DFIT and the Bureau of Independent Review (BIR).
The JUC is a committee of field staff from the department tasked with reviewing and evaluating recommended revisions to the department's Use of Force Regulations and Procedures.
A holding cell is a secure structure located within a building or sheltered area that is without running water, a toilet, or sleeping facilities, and is designed for the interim placement of one or more offenders.
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 15, § 3268
Note: Authority cited: Section 5058, Penal Code. Reference: Sections 196, 835a, 2651, 2652 and 5054, Penal Code; Section 50, Civil Code; Whitley v. Albers (1985) 475 U.S. 312, 106 S.Ct. 1078; and Madrid v. Cate (U.S.D.C. N.D. Cal. C90-3094 TEH).
2. Editorial correction of History1 (Register 99, No. 24).
3. Certificate of Compliance as to 4-1-99 order, including amendment of first paragraph, transmitted to OAL 9-8-99 and filed 10-20-99 (Register 99, No. 43).
4. Amendment of section and Note filed 8-19-2010; operative 8-19-2010 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(Register 2010, No. 34).
5. Amendment of subsection (a)(4), new subsection (a)(5), subsection renumbering, amendment of newly designated subsection (a)(17) and subsections (d)(1) and (i) filed 6-17-2015 as an emergency; operative 6-17-2015 (Register 2015, No. 25). Pursuant to Penal Code section 5058.3, a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 11-24-2015 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
6. Certificate of Compliance as to 6-17-2015 order, including further amendment of subsection (i), transmitted to OAL 11-17-2015 and filed 12-30-2015; amendments operative 12-30-2015 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2016, No. 1).