The purpose of this policy is to establish a clearly defined policy for the use of force, including deadly force, which complies with the provisions of Chapter
5 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, and the Laws of the Commonwealth and United States. All sworn members of the Department are responsible for the review and knowledge of Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, Chapter
5, General Principles of Justification. Once a person is under control by an officer the amount of force being used must be terminated.
In making a lawful arrest, maintaining custody, recapturing
prisoners, or restraining persons who are impeding arrest, officers
are privileged to use only that amount of force they believe is reasonably
necessary to accomplish their purpose, short of that which may cause
death. An officer's decision to use force, and what level of force,
must be appropriately based on the totality of the circumstance in
any incident.
This policy will be subject to periodic review and, if need
be, amended to comply with rules and regulations promulgated by the
Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This policy in its
current form complies with the rules set forth for use of force by
law enforcement as provided in Sections 505, 506 and 508 of the Crimes
Code of Pennsylvania, as amended.