Use-of-Force Models

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Definitions

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 use-of-force model

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(1) Must ensure a use-of-force model approved by the Director, as depicted in Appendix ”A”, is in use in the police service, which includes at least the following force options:

(a) Officer presence;
(b) Communication, including specifically incorporating and depicting crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques;
(c) Physical control;
(d) Intermediate Weapons; and
(e) Lethal force.

Training, qualification, and requalification

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(2) Must ensure each Officer successfully completes a training course, qualifies, and thereafter requalifies on the use-of-force model and techniques.

Written records of training

The Chief Constable, Chief Officer, or Commissioner:

(3) Must maintain written records of the use-of-force training and requalification courses completed by each Officer of the police service.

Policies and procedures

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

(4) The police service maintains written use-of-force policy and procedures.

(5) The police service’s written use-of-force policy and procedures provide direction to Officers on at least the following force options:

(a) Officer presence;
(b) Communication, including crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques;
(c) Physical control;
(d) Intermediate Weapons; and
(e) Lethal force.

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

Appendix

• Appendix “A” for BCPPS 1.9.1 – Use-of-Force Models (PDF, 125KB)