Memphis Police General Order Re: Use of Firearms and Deadly Force; Memo from Price to All Officers

    W A V  0  ̂ M E B V B P W O Q  P O O C H  D H P A P S T W a O M T
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M U M B E R : 5 _ 7 /(
□ A T C i  5 February 1974

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s u b j e c t : u s e OF FIREARMS AND DEADLY FORCE

1. PURPOSE. •; ».

To define clrcumsUnces under which D E M U  »"<
FORCE may be used to prevent the commission df an offense an^_to
effect an arrest.

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2. b a c k g r o u n d .

a. Definitions.

As used in this order. DEADLY FORCE means the discharge of 
a firearm; or the use of force by other means calculated to 
Inflict serious bodily Injury or death.

NON-DEADLY force means the use of force by methods,
Ing a night stick or similar weapon, not calculated nor Intended 
to Inflict serious bodily Injury or death.

b. Appl1cabi11ty.

The procedures defined In this order apply to the use of 
firearms under the following circumstances:

m  Situations Involving the use of firearms by depart- 
■ lental personnel In the line of d^ty Involving the preven­

tion of-an offense or apprehension of an offender whether 
or not death or a wounding occurs as a result.

(2) In any case Involving the accidental or negligent 
discharge of firearms Involving departmental P®;;sonnel in 
the line of duty not covered under sub-paragraph (1) above.

3. ACTION. -.. ^

a. Non-deadlv Force.

An officer may use NON-DEADLY FORCE when It Is necessary to:



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(1) Effect an arrest;

(2) Prevent the escape from custody of a person who 1s 
reasonably suspect of having committed an offense; or to

(3) Defend one's self or another In cases not Involving 
serious bodily Injury or death.

b. Deadly Force.

DEADLY FORCE may be used In the following circumstances only 
after all other reasonable means to apprehend or otherwise prevent 
the offense have been exhausted:

(1) Self-Defense.

An officer may use DEADLY FORCE when It Is In the 
defense of himself or another from serious bodily Injury or 
death and the threat of serious bodily Injury or death is 
real and Immediate.

(2) Felonies Involving the Use or Threatened Use of Physical 
Force.

An officer may use DEADLY FORCE when the offense involves 
a felony and the suspect uses or attempts to use or threatens 
the use of physical force against any person.

(3) Other Felonies Where Deadly Force Is Authorized.

After all reasonable means of preventing or apprehending 
a suspect have been exhausted, DEADLY FORCE Is authorized in 
the following crimes:

fal Kidnapping
Murder In the 1st or 2nd degree 
Manslaughter
Arson (Including the use of firebombs)
l̂ 3pe
Assault and battery with Intent to carnally know 
a child under 12 years of age 
Assault and battery with Intent to commit rape 
Burglary in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree 
Assault to commit murder In the 1st or 2nd degree 
Assault to commit voluntary manslaughter 

(k) Armed and_s1mple robbery

c. Use of Deadly Force Prohibited.

The use of DEADLY FORCE Is prohibited when:

(1) Arresting a person for any misdemeanor offense; or



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(2) Effecting an arrest of any person for escape from ] 
the commission of any misdemeanor offense. i

d . Use of Firearms Prohibited. ^  _i

(1) As warning shots;

(2) From any moving vehicle or to stop any fleeing vehicle, 
except in cases of self-defense or cases involving:

(a) Murder in the 1st or 2nd degree
(b) Rape ,
(c) Assault and battery with intent to carnally know 

a child under 12 years of age
(d) Armed or simple robbery

(3) In any case where an officer does not have a clear field 
of fire and cannot be reasonably certain that only the sus­
pect will be hit and that the potential for harm to innocent 
persons or their property is minimal.

e. Notification Procedures.

(1) Once the situation is under control, any member who dis­
charges a firearm in the line of duty will immediately report the 
fact to the Dispatcher who will have the cognizant watch or 
squad commander notified. The latter will inform the precinct
or bureau commander of the event ,without delay. As soon as 
practicable, the officer who fired a weapon will submit a written 
narrative of the circumstances, via the chain of command, to the 
Chief of Police, with copies to the Senior Member of the Firearms 
Review Board and to the Commanding Officer of the Firing Range.
In addition. Form F2100.149 shall be filled out and forwarded to 
the Firing Range.

(2) In any case resulting in death or wounding, the cognizant 
watch or squad commander,or his designated representative, wil. 
proceed to the scene and will relieve the officer(s) concerned 
pending completion of the inquiry that will be conducted by the 
Firearms Review Board. In addition, the Dispatcher will notify 
the Homicide Squad and the Internal Affairs Bureau as rapidly
as possible. Preservation of the scene will be the responsibility 
of the senior commander present.

4. SELF-CANCELLATION.

This order shall remain in effect until its provisions have been 
incorporated into the department's Manual of Policies, Procedures 
Rules and Regulations.

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DATE: DEC£r3£R 13, 1972

CU3JZCT: ;::£fjD:;inT to order G-72-16 
SERVICE REVOLVERS

E?7ECYIVE lir-E-OIATELV TJiE R£aiATIC:j SERVICE REVOLVER PCR ALL 

L':;j7cr.'̂ fL*:$c:.*:;:L r// ircluoe revolvers havirs a STAiro.ESS 

s n a  FJWIC:3. ALL 0T;!ER PROVISICR'3 re;̂m r  as stated.



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