Intermediate Weapons

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Definitions

Conducted Energy Weapon or CEW: A weapon that when discharged uses a conducted electrical charge in order to incapacitate a person, or to generate compliance through pain.

Director: The Director of Police Services referred to in section 39 (1) of the Police Act.

Intermediate Weapon: A device intended or designed to be used as a weapon, but for which the normal use is not intended or likely to cause serious injury or death. Impact weapons, aerosols and Conducted Energy Weapons fall within this category. Intermediate Weapons may also be referred to as less-lethal weapons.

Officer: A constable appointed under the Police Act or an enforcement officer appointed under section 14.15 of the Police Act.

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Standards

Approved Intermediate Weapons

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(1) Must ensure that the only Intermediate Weapons carried or used by Officers of their police service have been approved by the Director (see also BCPPS 1.3.2 Approved CEW Models). See Appendix “A” for a list of approved Intermediate Weapons, their descriptions, and approved specifications.

Maintenance of Intermediate Weapons

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(2.1) Must ensure that each Intermediate Weapon in the inventory of their police service is maintained in good working order.

(2.2) Must ensure that each Intermediate Weapon is securely stored when not in use.

Training, qualification, and requalification

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(3) Must ensure an Officer successfully completes a training course and is qualified to use an Intermediate Weapon before the Officer may be authorized to carry and use that weapon under Standard (1) above (see also BCPPS 3.2.1 CEW Operator Training).

(4) Must ensure any Officer authorized to carry and use an Intermediate Weapon under Standard (1) above is requalified to use that weapon at least once every three years unless otherwise required by BC Provincial Policing Standards dealing specifically with that Intermediate Weapon (see also BCPPS 3.2.1 CEW Operator Training).

(5) Must ensure that written records are maintained of the Intermediate Weapons training and requalification courses completed by each Officer in the police service.

Off duty carrying of Intermediate Weapons

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(5.1) Must ensure that Officers carry their issued Intermediate Weapons only when on assigned duty, unless otherwise authorized in writing or described in policy.

Policies and procedures

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner must ensure that:

(6) Policies and procedures are consistent with these BC Provincial Policing Standards.

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Appendix

• Appendix “A” for BCPPS 1.2.2 – Intermediate Weapons