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Newport News Police Department
h. O.C. foggers will NEVER be deployed inside a building.
i. When deploying the MK-9 fogger, officers should never direct it at a person’s face. The fogger
should be directed at the lower portion of the body or over the head of the suspects in the
disorderly crowd.
7. Electronic Control Device (ECD) (i.e. TASER®, Conducted Electrical Weapon, Stinger®, etc.)
a. Officers shall not carry or use any ECD until they have successfully completed the department’s
basic certification class. Qualified officers shall complete department-approved refresher
training annually. [4.3.2, 4.3.3]
b. ECDs are mandated equipment for all patrol officers and worn while in Class B duty gear.
c. Officers will only use authorized department ECDs and corresponding support equipment. This
includes but is not limited to battery packs, smart cartridges, and holsters. [4.3.1 (a,b)]
d. At the beginning of an officer's work cycle, the officer shall ensure that their assigned ECD is in
proper working condition, conducting the complete cycle of the manufacturer-recommended
test(s) to check operational readiness (i.e., a spark test, etc.). [4.3.1(c)]
e. Any ECD or associated equipment found not to be in proper working order shall be immediately
brought to the attention of the supervisor. [4.3.1(d)]
f. Under no circumstances shall an officer deploy an ECD when the officer has reason to believe that
the subject has a flammable substance on their skin or clothing.
g. An ECD shall not be used as a means to stop a fleeing suspect in a less lethal force situation unless
the suspect is a violent fleeing felon where failure to stop the subject would pose an imminent
safety risk that is reasonably likely to be mitigated by the use of the ECD.
h. ECDs will not be used against suspects who are not compliant with police directives and/or
offering non-violent physical resistance unless circumstances present a risk of imminent danger
that the use of force could mitigate.
i. Upon deployment of an ECD, whether it is by probe deployment or drive stun, EMS will be called
to the scene to evaluate the subject and provide medical attention. [4.1.5]
j. ECD-certified Newport News police officers shall remove a probe from a suspect ONLY if:
1) The probe has not pierced the suspect above the shoulders or a sensitive area (i.e., neck, face,
throat, groin, female breast); and,
2) The probe can be easily dislodged and has not broken off in the skin, regardless of the impact
site.
3) EMS personnel will evaluate the suspect and advise if further treatment is necessary. If a
probe is not removed by an officer or by EMS personnel, and EMS personnel do not transport
the subject for medical treatment, the officer deploying the ECD shall be responsible for
transporting the subject to the nearest hospital for probe removal.
k. Property and evidence collection associated with an ECD deployment is the responsibility of the
deploying officer.
1) When the ECD probes have been deployed, the cartridge, probes, wires and AFID(s) will be
collected as evidence and submitted to Property and Evidence before the end of the officer’s
shift per
2) OPS-485 Property and Evidence, regarding biohazards.
3) Digital photographs of the impact area(s) shall be taken after dart removal. In the case of a
drive stun(s), photographs shall be taken where the stun(s) was delivered. The deploying
officer will ensure that all digital photos are attached to the Use of Force report or event in
Axon Standards and that a notation as to the file name/location is made on any subsequent
report. (See also: OPS-485 Property & Evidence)
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