The Manager's report back on a report regarding exploring additional less-lethal alternatives that pose the smallest risk of injury when deployed for standard issue in the Cambridge Police Department

However, when de-escalation tactics have been attempted and failed or are not feasible based on the totality of the circumstances, officers are authorized to use reasonable force to gain, maintain, or re- establish control to protect the lives and safety of others and/or themselves. In some situations, less-lethal weapons are critical tools as they can provide an alternative force option that can be effective without resorting to deadly force.

As a department, we constantly review and assess the needs of the community and our officers to ensure we can safely and effectively respond to and satisfy those needs. Part of this assessment includes regularly evaluating the latest less-lethal options available for law enforcement agencies that would supplement or replace the department’s current set of tools utilized in a use-of-force incident.

Overview As a summary, please find an overview of the outlined less-lethal options, if they are or are not currently in CPD’s inventory, and if they would be recommended by the department for future expansion or consideration:

Item Currently In Inventory

Not Currently

In Inventory

Recommended

PR24 Control Device

OC Duty Aerosol

40 MM (Multi)

40 MM (Single) multiple

MK-9

Taser 10

FN 303

Vector shield

Mission 4

BolaWrap

P.A.V.A

As part of the overall consideration, we have asked that the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), who are conducting an independent review of the department’s policies and procedures along with the January 4th fatal police shooting, include an examination of the department’s response to people in crisis as well as our less-lethal options. As a result, we are recommending that the department wait and evaluate PERF’s final report and recommendations before we consider pursuing or expanding less-lethal options.

Below is a more detailed overview of the Cambridge Police’s most current analysis of existing less-lethal tools currently used within the department, as well as those used by other local and national police departments and associated preliminary recommendations.

Existing Cambridge Police Department’s Inventory:

PR24 Control Device

The PR24 Control Device is a 14-inch expandable baton with a side handle. Each sworn member of the police department currently wears a PR24 Control Device on their duty belt. The PR24 Control Device can be utilized in incidents involving an actively resistant individual. It can expand to 24 inches. The primary purpose of the PR24 Control Device is for defensive and control purposes-only. It is to defend the officer or other persons when under attack and/or to control a combative person.

The PR24 Control Device is one of the most widely deployed law enforcement intermediate force tools for decades. The PR24 Control Device is a proven solution for de-escalation, self-defense, and gaining compliance. The PR24 Control Device may be awkward in deployment when an officer is in a stressful situation. The angle of deployment may be difficult when retrieving the device’s side handle. The PR24 Control Device may be permanently damaged after one use, especially after being used to block another hard object. There is usually difficulty in effectively deploying the device afterwards.

CPD would recommend continuing the PR24 Control Device as a less-lethal option for officers. It has proven success within our department in gaining compliance.

OC Duty Aerosol

OC (Oleoresin Capsicum) Duty Aerosol is classified as an inflammatory agent. Each sworn member of the police department currently carries a container of OC on their duty belt as a less-lethal tool, if necessary. The OC spray can be utilized in incidents involving an actively resistant individual. It is a stream delivery system targeting the face and eyes. There are two primary physiological effects of OC: the involuntary closure of the eye and the burning sensation in the upper respiratory tract and to the exposed skin.

OC Duty Aerosol is one of the most popular, less-lethal tools in law enforcement. OC Duty Aerosol is easy to deploy. Some people can withstand and fight through the effects of OC. OC spray could accidentally blow-back at the officer, especially if it is windy or rainy. The cross-contamination with people and clothing is very high with OC. The recovery from the effects of OC is 30-45 minutes on average. CPD would recommend continuing the OC Duty Aerosol as a less-lethal option for officers. It has proven success within the department and around the country in gaining compliance. It is one of the most common less-lethal tools used in the United States.

40mm Specialty Impact Weapon and Munitions System (SIWAMS) ⎯ Single-Launcher The 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) is a shoulder-deployed system that can discharge 40mm impact rounds. Typically, three to four 40mm SIWAMS (single launcher) are available for officers each shift. The 40mm SIWAMS (single launcher) are stored in patrol supervisor cruiser and can be utilized in incidents involving an actively resistant individual. Multiple 40mm SIWAMS (single launcher) could be deployed during one incident.

Pros The 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) is currently deployed and accessible for officers. The 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) can be deployed from a distance that allows officers to create space between themselves and the threat.

A multiple deployment and discharge of the 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) could result in sympathetic lethal force. Multiple deployments of the 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) would still require a large response of officers to provide lethal cover. The 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) was deployed on January 4, 2023 and not effective in stopping Arif Sayed Faisal nor did it result in gaining his compliance. The 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) may not be effective when individual’s pain receptors are lessoned due to substances, alcohol, or other factors. The 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) impact round may miss its intended target.

CPD would recommend exploring deploying multiple 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) during one incident. Our Training and Certification Unit, along with our use of force experts, would determine the feasibility of deploying multiple 40mm SIWAMS (single-launcher) during one incident.

40mm SIWAMS (Multi-Launcher) The 40mm SIWAMS (multi-launcher) is a shoulder-deployed system that discharges 40mm impact rounds. The 40mm SIWAMS (multi-launcher) is stored at Cambridge Police Headquarters and only accessible to Special Response Team members. The 40mm SIWAMS (multi-launcher) could be utilized in incidents involving an actively resistant individual.