JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROCEDURES

Title:

Use of Force

Date Issued:

September 15, 2004

Revised:

March 17, 2016

I.

Chapter: 2.000

PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide JPD officers with guidelines for the
use of deadly and non-deadly force.

II.

POLICY
The Juneau Police Department recognizes the complexity of situations
necessitating the use of force. Department members follow established
authorizations to use force provided by state law under Alaska Statute AS
11.81.370. At times, officers are confronted with situations where control is
required to effect arrests or protect the public safety. Attempts will be
made to achieve control through advice, warnings, and persuasion.
However, in situations where resistance, a threat to life, or a threat of
physical force against officers or others is encountered and verbal
persuasion has not been effective, is not feasible, or would appear to be
ineffective, an officer may use objectively reasonable force. In the event
deadly force is utilized, a thorough investigation will be conducted. All use
of force will be appropriately investigated, documented, and reviewed by
supervisory and/or command personnel. Department members may use
force to effect an arrest, prevent an escape, overcome resistance, in selfdefense, or in the defense of others. The type and degree of force used
must be objectively reasonable and based upon the facts and
circumstances of the situation.

III.

DEFINITIONS
OBJECTIVELY REASONABLE FORCE - Objectively reasonable force is
that level of force which is appropriate when analyzed from the
perspective of a reasonable officer possessing the same information and
faced with the same circumstances as the officer who has actually used
force.

2.000 - Page 1 of 8

 JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROCEDURES

Objectively reasonable force is not judged with hindsight and will take into
account, where appropriate, the fact that officers must make rapid
decisions regarding the amount of force to use in tense, uncertain, and
rapidly evolving situations. Important factors to be considered when
deciding how much force can be used to apprehend a suspect include, but
are not limited to, the severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect
poses an immediate threat to the safety of the officers or others, and
whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade
arrest by flight. This policy guideline applies to all use of force, including
deadly force.
IV.

PROCEDURES
A. Force Options
1. All officers have a number of force options available for use in
those situations where force is reasonably necessary. Those
situations can include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Subduing or arresting a physically threatening or assaultive
person.
b. Instances that threaten the safety of an officer or other person.
c. Stopping a person who is attempting to flee or escape a lawful
detention/arrest.
d. Overcoming physical resistance in order to achieve compliance
as appropriate.
e. Directing, controlling or escorting physically resistive or
physically uncooperative persons.
2. A physically threatening or assaultive person is one who could be
considered physically threatening by an objectively reasonable
officer involved in the encounter. There is no requirement that the
person actually has to swing at or strike an officer to be considered
physically threatening or assaultive, so long as an objectively
reasonable officer has sufficient information (verbal threats,
physical stance, etc.) to believe that a person is physically
threatening and has the present ability to harm the officer. Officers
are trained and equipped with tools to meet degrees of force with
reasonable force and are expected to apply their training
appropriately. The degree of force used by an officer is directly
related to the facts and circumstances encountered by that officer.
Force options currently available to officers are as follows:

2.000 - Page 2 of 8

 JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROCEDURES

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
V.

Voice Commands
Chemical Agents
Physical Controls
Impact Weapon
Electronic Restraint Device (Taser)
Carotid Control Hold
Police Vehicles
Kinetic Energy Impact Projectiles
Deadly Force

DEADLY FORCE
A. Authorization to use deadly force
1. JPD officers are authorized to use deadly force when one or both of
the following apply:
a. To protect the officer or others from what is reasonably believed
to be a threat of death or serious bodily harm;
b. To prevent the escape of a fleeing violent felon who the officer
has probable cause to believe will pose a significant threat of
death or serious physical injury to the officer or others. Where
practicable prior to discharge of a firearm, officers shall identify
themselves as law enforcement officers and state their intent to
shoot.
2. Officers may use deadly force to destroy an animal that represents
a threat to public safety, or as a humanitarian measure where the
animal is seriously injured, when the officer reasonably believes
that deadly force can be used without harm to the officer or others.
B. Deadly Force Restrictions
1. Firing warning shots is prohibited.
2. Firing a weapon at a moving vehicle is prohibited unless a person
in the vehicle is immediately threatening the officer or another
person with deadly force by means other than the vehicle. The
moving vehicle itself shall not presumptively constitute a threat that
justifies an officer’s use of deadly force. The officer threatened by
an oncoming vehicle shall move out of its path instead of
discharging a firearm at it or any of its occupants.

2.000 - Page 3 of 8

 JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROCEDURES

3. Firearms shall not be discharged from a moving vehicle, except in
exigent circumstances and in the immediate defense of life.
V.

USE OF LESS LETHAL FORCE
A. Authorization
1. Officers are authorized to use Department approved, less-lethal
force techniques when one or more of the following apply:
a. to protect the officer or others from physical harm;
b. to restrain or subdue a resistant individual;
c. to bring an unlawful situation safely and effectively under
control.
2. Officers shall receive Department approved training in the use of
less lethal weapon systems prior to using them.
B. Carotid Control Hold
1. The carotid control hold may be used only when all other control
techniques are inappropriate or have failed, and deadly force may
become necessary if the hold is not used.
a. Officers will follow the directives and techniques related to the
carotid control hold taught by Department instructors.
2. Handcuff the suspect once control is accomplished and then search
the suspect for weapons.
3. If the suspect is unconscious, check breathing and heartbeat and
request paramedics respond.
4. In any case, if the officer applied compression to the neck of the
suspect, transport the suspect to Bartlett Regional Hospital and
secure a medical clearance before booking the suspect at the
Lemon Creek Prison facility.
a. The suspect should be observed by medical staff for a period of
at least one hour as complications caused by internal bleeding
or swelling may not be immediately apparent.
b. Advise the prison personnel that the suspect was subjected to a
carotid control hold and has been medically cleared.

2.000 - Page 4 of 8

 JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROCEDURES

5. Note the use of the carotid control hold in the arrest report and
complete a use of force report.
Articulate reasons for not
complying with Department policy or procedure in the use of force
report.
VI.

“SHOOT - DON’T SHOOT” TRAINING
A. In addition to training required for firearms qualification, officers shall
receive Department approved training designed to simulate actual
shooting situations and conditions, and as otherwise necessary to
enhance officers’ discretion and judgment in using deadly and nondeadly force in accordance with this policy.

VII.

REPORTING USE OF FORCE
A. When force is used by an officer in the course and scope of duty as a
peace officer, the officer will notify his or her supervisor as soon as
time and circumstances permit, and will document the details of such
use on an arrest report and/or supplemental report. At a minimum, the
details will include:
1. The reason for the police response to a call for service, or police
initiated detention or arrest.
2. The behavior of the suspect which caused the officer to use force.
3. Type of force used (verbal and physical tools, techniques and/or
tactics used).
4. Extent of injuries to any person and the post-force care provided.
5. Other relevant information regarding the circumstances of the use
of force.
B. Use of Force Report (JPD-99a) will be completed and submitted to
the Chief of Police through the chain of command when that use of
force meets the definition below.
When officers deviate from
Department policy or procedure, they are to articulate the reasons in
the use of force report. All reports will be completed and submitted
before securing from duty.

2.000 - Page 5 of 8

 JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROCEDURES

VIII.

DEFINITION OF REPORTABLE FORCE
A. A reportable use of force is defined as any incident in which a sworn
officer, either on or off-duty exercises police powers and uses deadly
force, a less-lethal weapon system, or any physical force to:
1. Compel a person to comply with the officer’s direction; or
2. Prevent escape or overcome resistance by a suspect during an
arrest or detention; or
3. Defend any person from aggressive action by a suspect.
B. EXCEPTIONS: The use of a firm grip control which does not result in
injury, the appearance of injury or complaint of pain (e.g., the use of a
grip to control the suspect’s hands while searching or handcuffing); or,
that force necessary to overcome passive resistance due to physical
disability or intoxication which does not result in injury, the appearance
of injury or complaint of pain (e.g., lifting an intoxicated person to a
standing position).

IX.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY WHEN FORCE IS USED
A. Injuries
1. Whenever an officer or other person receives injuries that require
treatment by a physician as a result of an officer’s use of force, the
officer’s immediate supervisor will first notify the concerned
lieutenant, and then personally respond to evaluate and actively
participate in the investigation of the incident.
a. The normal use of a taser is an exception. Unless there is injury
beyond the normal barb strikes, a command officer does not
need to be immediately notified.
b. First aid treatment following the application of OC spray will not
generally constitute an injury requiring treatment by a physician.
c. Medical bills that result from Injuries sustained during an
arrested person’s failure to comply with the lawful direction of
the arresting officer are the responsibility of the arrested person
and not the City and Borough of Juneau.
2. If an officer is seriously injured ensure that another officer
accompanies and remains with the injured officer at the hospital.

2.000 - Page 6 of 8

 JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROCEDURES

3. Ensure the officer’s family is notified in person when possible.
a. Assign an officer to transport them to the hospital or other
location as soon as possible.
1) The officer should remain with the family for security,
support, control of the press and other related matters.
4. Do not release the officer’s name to the press or other unauthorized
parties before the family is notified.
5. In cases of serious injury or death to anyone, consider establishing
incident command.
a. Appoint a recorder to make a chronological record of activities
at the scene.
1) Note all persons present, actions taken by police personnel
and include the names of emergency responders.
b. Cause a diagram to be drawn and photographs taken of the
scene.
c. Ensure a public information officer (PIO) is assigned to meet
with the press at a location away from the scene.
d. Request an investigator respond to the scene to take over the
investigation.
6. The Lieutenant will notify the Deputy Chief of Police.
7. The Deputy Chief will notify the Chief of Police who will determine
if the City Attorney, District Attorney and CBJ City Manager will be
notified.
8. When an officer’s use of force results in serious injury or death, the
Lieutenant will conduct a thorough administrative review of the
incident.
a. Give the involved officer Garrity Warnings prior to the interview.
B. Reporting
1. Use of Force Report
a. In all cases, to assure accuracy and completeness, the
supervisor will review the arrest report and/or supplemental
report and the use of force report (JPD-99a) prepared by the
officer(s) documenting the use of force.

2.000 - Page 7 of 8

 JUNEAU POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROCEDURES

b. When officers deviate from Department policy or procedure,
they are to articulate the reasons in the use of force report.
c. The supervisor will check the box that the force used did or did
not comply with JPD policy.
2. Memorandum
a. In cases where their team member did not comply with policy or
procedures, the supervisor will investigate the circumstances
and document the facts of the incident in a memorandum.
1) The supervisor may take photographs, video and/or audio
recorded statements from witnesses, and gather other
relevant evidence or statements.
b. The supervisor will forward a copy of all relevant reports to the
Chief of Police through the chain of command before securing
from duty.
3. Command Reports
a. In cases where the use of force included the use of kinetic
energy impact (KEI) projectiles or firearms were fired other than
to destroy an animal, the concerned lieutenant will respond,
investigate and report the circumstances of the discharge.
1) Photograph the impact points on the suspect’s body.
2) Include a determination if Department policy and procedure
was followed.
b. In cases where the use of force resulted in serious injury or
death, the assigned lieutenant will provide a thorough and
detailed report of the administrative review of the incident
including copies of all related reports and photographs.
1) The report will be forwarded up the chain of command to the
Office of the Chief of Police who will determine if any further
action will be taken.

Bryce Johnson

Chief of Police

2.000 - Page 8 of 8