Training for less lethal weapons and alternatives to deadly force

Deputies carry firearms to help protect the innocent from the worst dangers that can befall a citizen. Although their firearms are something we hope they never have to use, sometimes there is no choice. But part of training for any scenario also involves training for all options that could change the outcome of that scenario.

The first, and most used, "less lethal" weapons law enforcement officers carry are the baton, OC (pepper spray), and Tasers. These items give officers more options when dealing with criminals, but even today, there are many types of less lethal weapons that can help save lives that are often overlooked and not provided to law enforcement.

Several years ago, we responded to a person who had threatened to use a firearm on himself or others, and refused to speak to negotiators who had responded to the scene. When the suspect made threats that caused us to believe he would act soon if something was not done, we deployed less lethal weapons. In the end, the suspect received help, and there were no major injuries.

Although less lethal weapons may not always be an option, not having access to less lethal weapons, or the training to use them, takes away a lifesaving option during some incidents where a less lethal weapon could be used.

Less lethal weapons that require specialized training and certification include: beanbag rounds, pepper powder, and pepper spray rounds for shotguns, OC Spray, Tasers, and spike strips for cars. We hear on the news anytime deadly force is used by law enforcement, but we seldom hear how many times deadly force was averted because of the use of less lethal weapons.

Our next class for less lethal weapons is set to begin this month for jail staff and deputies. Some will be certified for the first time, while others will be recertifying and going through annual training. For the last several years we have been sending staff to instructor schools which gives us the ability to train our own staff and not pay outside agencies for that service.

Currently we have less lethal instructors for OC spray, Taser, defensive tactics, and emergency driving. Our firearms and active shooter instructors also incorporate less lethal use during their training.

Another tool that is extremely important to have deputies certified in is the use of stop sticks. Although stop sticks (spike strips) are not always included in the list of less lethal weapons, most other methods of stopping a vehicle in the past was considered deadly force (setting up road blocks, running vehicles off the road, and in rare cases shooting at the tires or engine block).

Deputies have been able to stop nearly a dozen high-speed pursuits over the last few years with the use of stop sticks. In 2015, a vehicle was reported to be driving the wrong way on I-49 causing on-coming traffic to swerve off the road to avoid striking the car. Because of the dangers of a car driving the wrong way on an Interstate, there was no other option but to stop the vehicle.

Once stop sticks were deployed, the vehicle was taken safely off the road and the driver was found to be having a medical emergency and was not aware of what was going on. If the deputies had not been trained and equipped with the stop sticks, the outcome may have been much worse.

We never know what will happen when responding to a call, and we never know what dangers will be waiting. But if there is even a small chance that a life could be saved by having the proper equipment and training, then we will make sure that option is available and the deputy has received the proper training.