Policy 1111
Subject
BATONS / IMPACT WEAPONS
Date Published
Page
1 July 2016
1 of 3
By Order of the Police Commissioner
POLICY
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines to ensure proper use of batons and other impact
weapons by sworn members.
1.
Training. The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) approves the use of departmentally issued or
approved batons and espantoons upon successful completion of mandated training provided by
the Professional Development and Training Academy (PDTA).
2.
Use of Force Policy. Batons are generally used as impact weapons and their usage falls under
the parameters of Policy 1115, Use of Force.
3.
Reasonable, Necessary and Proportional. The use of a baton or espantoon by a member in
the performance of his/her duties is considered a use of force, and must therefore conform to the
methods, tactics, policies and procedures adopted by the BPD. (See Policy 1115, Use of Force).
As always, any use of force must be objectively reasonable, necessary, and proportional.
4.
De-escalation. The use of an impact weapon is not intended to replace tactics or training that
can be utilized to calm or control a person, or to de-escalate a situation and avoid the use of force.
5.
Active Aggression or Aggravated Aggression. As more fully explained below, strikes with a
baton/impact weapon are authorized when the subject’s resistance level is Active Aggression or
Aggravated Aggression.
DEFINITIONS
Active Aggression ─ A subject’s attempt to attack or an actual attack on an officer or another person.
Exhibiting aggressive behavior (e.g., lunging toward the officer, taking a fighting stance, striking the
officer with hands, fists, kicks) are examples of Active Aggression. Neither passive nor active resistance,
including fleeing, pulling away, bracing, or tensing, constitute Active Aggression.
Aggravated Aggression — When a subject’s actions create an objectively reasonable perception on
the part of the officer that the officer or another person is subject to imminent death or serious physical
injury as a result of the circumstances and/or nature of an attack. Aggravated Aggression represents the
least encountered but most serious threat to the safety of law enforcement personnel or another person.
Baton — An instrument designed for blocking, jabbing, striking, or to apply control holds while engaged
in a police action.
Crowd Control Straight Baton ─ A wooden or synthetic composite baton generally 42 inches in length
to be used in crowd control situations. Finishes vary from black to natural wood colors.
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BATONS/IMPACT WEAPONS
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Espantoon ─ Wooden baton between 22-25 inches in length, with the striking end of the baton being
between 1 ½ - 1 ¾ inches in diameter, and the grip end being 1 3⁄8 inches in diameter. This baton has
color restrictions and shall only be coated in an Oak, Ash, Maple, Hickory or Rosewood finish.
Decorations are prohibited.
Expandable Baton — Metal auto-lock baton; generally 22 inches in length.
Impact Weapon — Refers collectively to batons (including crowd control straight batons and expandable
batons) and espantoons.
REQUIRED ACTION
Issuance of Batons
1.
The expandable baton shall be issued to all members upon successful completion of recruit level
training at PDTA.
2.
Crowd control straight batons may be issued to members on a permanent or as needed basis.
3.
Espantoons previously issued to members, and/or privately purchased approved espantoons
may be carried so long as they meet the dimensional stipulations.
Use of Baton/Impact Weapons - High Level Force
1.
Sworn members may only use department issued or approved batons upon successful
completion of required instruction through PDTA.
2.
The baton or other impact weapon/tool shall be used only in accordance with policy and
department training (e.g., blocking, jabbing, to apply control holds, passive/active escort
techniques, etc.).
3.
Strikes with a baton/impact weapon are authorized when the subject’s resistance level is Active
Aggression or Aggravated Aggression.
4.
Batons shall not be used as an impact weapon to strike passive resistors. The use of a baton to
facilitate approved “come-a-long” or “pressure point” techniques is permitted. Once the level of
aggression becomes active and/or aggravated, the use of force applied with the baton may
increase, but use of the baton or other impact weapon shall be necessary, proportional, and
objectively reasonable based on the totality of the circumstances.
5.
Officers shall use reasonable care to avoid striking suspects on the head, neck, sternum, spine,
groin, or kidneys, as these strikes may cause life-threatening injuries, unless deadly force is
justified.
Modifications
Modifications shall not be made to batons or espantoons unless otherwise approved through PDTA.
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Carrying Requirements
An espantoon or expandable baton shall be carried during all shifts by members in uniform.
NOTE: The carrying and/or use of blackjacks/slapjacks and iron claws is strictly prohibited.
Exigent (Improvised) Impact Weapons
The use of instruments, other than department-authorized impact weapons, as a weapon for the purpose
of striking or jabbing is strongly discouraged and acceptable only when other authorized force options
have been exhausted, are unavailable, or are ineffective. Depending on the totality of circumstances,
members may use other tools or items as a striking implement. These items may include a radio,
flashlight, or any other hard object that when used would interrupt or incapacitate an aggressive subject.
The use of any improvised impact weapon against a subject shall be considered a use of force, and shall
be reported in accordance with Policy 1115, Use of Force. Members must be able to articulate to a
supervisor a compelling need to use any other device or object other than an authorized baton as an
impact weapon.
Actions Following Use of Baton/Impact Weapons - Medical Attention
Whenever there is an obvious injury, complaint of injury, or medical attention is requested by any
individual, after the use of a baton, members shall immediately render aid consistent with his/her training
and experience and notify the Communications Unit. Members shall request that a medic respond to the
scene or the member shall transport the individual directly to the nearest hospital emergency room. (See
Policy 1115, Use of Force for further guidance).
Use of Force Reporting
Any strike with an impact weapon is a Level 2 Reportable Force. Any strike to the head, neck, sternum,
spine, groin, or kidneys with an impact weapon, and any use of force resulting in hospital admission, loss
of consciousness, or a broken bone is a Level 3 Reportable Force.
Members shall immediately notify their supervisor when a baton or espantoon has been utilized as an
impact weapon. Members shall refer to Policy 1115, Use of Force for all reporting/notification
requirements.
ASSOCIATED POLICY
Policy 1115, Use of Force
COMMUNICATION OF POLICY
This policy is effective on the date listed herein. Commanders are responsible for informing their
subordinates of this policy and ensuring compliance.