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Field Operations Directives (FODs)

91-009 Ballistic Shield Guidelines


92-001 AT&T Language Line Services
91-003 Training Officer/Trainee Standards of Conduct

BALLISTIC SHIELD GUIDELINES

The introduction of the Ballistic Shield into the Department's inventory has necessitated the creation of guidelines regarding the correct use of the Shield.

  • Under no circumstances is the Shield a replacement for S.E.B. The situations that normally dictate an S.E.B. response are not affected by the presence of the Shield.
  • The shield shall be deployed in the field sergeant's vehicle on a daily basis.
  • The Ballistic Shield shall never be used in place of a Deputy's personal body armor.
  • The Ballistic Shield is not to be used as a replacement for hard cover (i.e. brick walls, vehicles) when such cover is available.
  • Although the Ballistic Shield is rated at threat level IIIA, it is not designed stop armor piercing handgun ammunition or rifle fire. The Shield will stop most handgun ammunition encountered on the street. If rifle fire is anticipated, hard cover is the answer, not the Ballistic Shield.
  • When available, Ballistic Shields should be used on Search Warrant entries, subsequent "house clearings" and when deputies cross open spaces just prior to serving warrants.
  • The Shield should be routinely used in conjunction with Arwen/Taser deployment.
  • If available at the scene, the Ballistic Shield should be used for the "final clearing phase" of high risk felony vehicle stops. This applies to situations where all known occupants have already been removed. Situations where an armed suspect refuses to exit a vehicle should be considered a barricaded suspect and should be handled by S.E.B.

These guidelines are designed for the safety implementation of the Ballistic Shield into the field environment. It should be noted that these guidelines are not restrictive in nature. As the Shield enters service, field units will invariably find other uses for the Shield, allowing these guidelines to expand accordingly. Used properly the Ballistic Shield will expand our margin of safety for both deputies and citizens.