Policy bulletin 624

Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 567-1 – Use of Force

This policy was revised as part of the regular two-year review cycle.

Note: Except for rendering pronouns gender-inclusive (e.g., replacing “he/she” by “they”), the revisions to this policy do not reflect changes with regards to gender identity or expression. The policy direction in Interim Policy Bulletin 584 –Gender Identity or Expression continues to apply and will be incorporated into this CD in a future update.

Several technical and substantive modifications were made throughout the policy document.

• The Purpose statement was strengthened.
• Some responsibilities in the Responsibilities section were revised/added.
• Modifications were made in the Procedures section to provide clarification with regards to reporting requirements.
• The requirement for a Standing Order for the use of force off the penitentiary reserve has been removed.
• Modifications were made to provide clarity to planned and spontaneous use of force.
• The Video-Recording section has been reorganized to clarify the purpose and process of video-recording.
• The Strip Search Recording section has been merged with the Video-Recording section and clarification was provided with regards to compliant versus non-compliant strip search.
• Some information related to strip searches that is not specific to the use of force was removed and will be incorporated in the forthcoming revisions of CD 566-7 – Searching of Offenders.
• Precision and clarity were added to the Decontamination section.
• The requirements for a written SMEAC/ intervention plan in the event of verbal authorization were explained.
• The Reporting Requirements section was modified; some forms were removed, and other details were added, including the requirement for the Correctional Manager to document the post-incident debriefing.
• The Completion of the Incident section has been revised and the post-incident video-recording procedures have been transferred to the Video-Recording section.
• The references to Health Services treatment of staff have been replaced with the first aid and reporting protocols.
• Responsibilities and a strategy for corrective actions were added to the Review Process section.
• In the Review Process section, the mention of full review and compressed review has been removed in line with the Offender Management System modifications.
• The Review Process section includes new criteria to determine the level of use of force.
• Some definitions have been revised and added:
  • intervention plan
  • necessary and proportionate intervention
  • SMEAC
  • use of force: removed the mention of the Emergency Response Team and inmate and added “not including assistive or therapeutic touch” to physical handling.
• A new definition was added for serious violation as it refers to use of force reviews.
• Some modifications have been made to the Use of Force Review Matrix in Annex B to clarify the review and the sample size percentages.
• Some modifications were made to the method followed to approve and document an intervention plan.

This policy was revised by the Security Branch in cooperation with the Strategic Policy Division. Full consultations with internal and external stakeholders were held.

Every staff member involved in the use of force process.

Roles and responsibilities are detailed in the policy document.