In accordance with CDM section 5-01/030.05, “Identification and Classification Symbols for Pregnant Inmates,” and for the purposes of this section, “pregnant inmate” means an inmate that is known to the Department to be pregnant. Inmates known to be pregnant will wear an [REDACTED TEXT] wristband loop along with the [REDACTED TEXT] sub-classification code displayed on the wristband. Their uniform consists of a [REDACTED TEXT] shirt with a [REDACTED TEXT] front side and a [REDACTED TEXT] back side, and [REDACTED TEXT] pants.
The purpose of the deployment of special weapons is to facilitate a safe and effective response to situations that may jeopardize the life and safety of personnel or inmates and/or the security and operations of custody facilities. Approval from the watch commander, incident commander, or higher authority in the chain of command is required prior to the deployment of special weapons within custody facilities. Only Department-authorized special weapons may be deployed.
Consistent with these objectives, the following shall apply:
- Strict control of special weapons shall be maintained, with the ultimate responsibility for their use resting with the unit commander;
- The unit commander shall ensure watch commanders are aware of all Department policies concerning the use of special weapons;
- Authorization for the deployment of special weapons can only be given by the watch commander, incident commander, or higher authority in the chain of command;
- During circumstances when an inmate poses an imminent threat of inflicting serious injury to any person, qualified personnel may use designated special weapons without direct supervision. In all other instances, authorization from a sergeant or a supervising line deputy acting in the capacity of an Emergency Response Team (ERT) leader must be obtained prior to the use of special weapons;
- Members will be considered qualified to use a special weapon only after attending
, and successfully completing, a training class on that weapon presented by the Custody Training and Standards Bureau; in no instance will authorization be given for the use of these weapons by personnel who are not qualified to use them;
- Deputy personnel, when encountering a situation demanding deployment of special weapons, shall immediately notify the watch commander or incident commander of the circumstances, and request deployment of special weapons. The watch commander or incident commander shall immediately review the situation and provide further direction based upon this assessment;
- Special weapons maintained at each unit shall be stored in the armory and/or other secured area (meeting the specifications of an armory) determined by the unit commander;
- To facilitate an immediate special weapon response in areas where a response would otherwise be delayed, unit commanders may pre-authorize the deployment of special weapons on a routine basis. Any non-temporary, routine deployments shall be designated in a facility unit order;
- Cleaning of special weapons is to be accomplished in similar fashion as are other Department weapons. Maintenance and repairs will be performed by the range staff, armories, and weapons training staff. Unit personnel will not normally be required to break down or “field strip” these weapons, except as required for cleaning purposes;
- Absent circumstances that justify the use of deadly force, personnel shall not use special weapons against an inmate known to be pregnant;
- Any use of a special weapon in custody shall be reported as a “Significant Incident.” Notifications and reports shall be made pursuant to the Custody Division Manual (CDM) section 4-07/010.00 "Notification and Reporting of Significant Incidents" and the Department's Manual of the Policy and Procedures (MPP) use of force policies.