or destruction of property. Personal injury or death and moral turpitude are
serious incidents.
The nature of the incident determines its seriousness.
Also, the extent of loss or damage of property, and of injuries to personnel
determines seriousness.
In addition, the need for more corrective or
preventive action usually determines the seriousness of the incident.
(3) To stop the escape of a prisoner or of one in custody. Use of a
weapon is permissible only if there are reasonable grounds to believe that he
has committed, or is about to commit, a serious offense.
(4) In self-defense.
(5) To protect the lives of others.
c. In using firearms great caution and prudence must be taken. Firing at
persons committing a serious offense is legally justified under certain
conditions.
However, the investigator must consider, before shooting, the
nature of the offense.
He must consider his own safety and the safety of
others in the area. These considerations will generally indicate what action
should be taken. A warning shot should only be used if there will be no risk
to innocent persons. If the subject fails to stop after the command "HALT" has
been repeated once, consider before firing. Is the offense serious enough to
warrant such action?
d. Sometimes a weapon must be displayed during an apprehension. If so, it
should be held perpendicular to the body. The upper arm and elbow should be
close to the side. A 90 degree angle should be formed by the upper arm and
forearm. The weapon should always be pointed at the subject. It should never
be used as a pointer to indicate direction.
e. If an automatic pistol is used, a cartridge should be in the chamber.
Also, the hammer should be fully cocked; the safety should be on so the weapon
cannot fire. The thumb should rest on the safety. If a revolver is carried,
the chamber should be fully loaded.
The hammer should be in the uncocked
position.
6.
Teamwork.
a. This section is written with the idea that two investigators will be
working together.
The searching techniques discussed below can be easily
modified. By so doing they can apply in those cases where only one, or more
than two, are effecting the apprehension.
b. The senior investigator of the team will be in charge of the
apprehension and search.
He should do most of the talking and signal the
second member what action to take.
The second investigator should
unhesitatingly carry out those orders.
He should avoid concentrating on the
senior investigator but should watch the subject(s); both of you should watch
the subject's hands, keeping them in sight from the beginning. You should not
stand together, but should spread yourselves out. If you must move and weapons
are drawn, one should not cross the line of fire of the other;
MP0100
5-6
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