The normal day-to-day operations of the Police Department may, on occasion,
require the use of reasonable physical force, which cannot be otherwise controlled.
However, in no case should any officer use any physical force against a citizen
until all other reasonable alternatives have been exhausted. Officers are
permitted and authorized to use whatever force reasonable to protect themselves
and other citizens from bodily harm. Officers are authorized, under § 35.30
of the New York State Penal Law, to use deadly physical force when it appears
necessary under that statute. However, we as police officers are expected
to use greater restraint and to employ a great deal more self-control than
allowed at the extreme by the statute. Therefore, in recognition of various
moral and civic implications in the taking of human life, officers will adhere
to more restrictive use of deadly physical force. The burden shall rest on
each and every officer in the decision to use any form of deadly physical
force against a human, and the realization that each and every situation is
different should be paramount. Officers will not exercise the use of deadly
physical force solely upon meeting the criteria of the Penal Law and departmental
rules and regulations. The use of deadly physical force will depend on what
the immediate situation warrants. In any situation potentially involving the
use of deadly physical force, the officer is expected to act in a reasonable
and prudent manner, and in any situation where the use of deadly physical
force may be anticipated, each officer will use or attempt to use all other
methods to terminate the situation before using deadly physical force to defend
his or her life or the life of a citizen.