| 6. STEPS FOLLOWING CEW DEPLOYMENT—MEDICAL | ||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal Police Forces | Other Agencies | |||||||||||||||||
| Abbotsford | Central Saanich | Delta | Kitasoo | Nelson | New Westminster | Oak Bay | Port Moody | Saanich | Stl'atl'imx Tribal Police | Transit Authority Police | Vancouver | Victoria | West Vancouver | Corrections | Previous RCMP | Current RCMP | Sheriffs | |
| General protocol | ||||||||||||||||||
| Subject is to be advised they have been “hit with a CEW” and the effects are temporary. | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |||||
| Supervisor will ensure proper medical care is provided. | √ | √ | √ | |||||||||||||||
| Emergency care and medical examination will be provided to the subject in incidents where “Intermediate Weapons” are used. | √ | √ | ||||||||||||||||
| Medical treatment following CEW deployment | ||||||||||||||||||
| Circumstances warranting mandatory emergency assistance | ||||||||||||||||||
| If the probes are embedded into the skin, the member shall monitor the individual and request the attendance of an ambulance or transport subject to hospital in patrol vehicle if necessary (member not to remove the probes). | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||||||||
| If probe penetrates the eye, genital, breast, or other sensitive area, member will ensure medical treatment. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| A member may not remove the probes if they are lodged in a sensitive part of the body, such as the eye or groin, or if the individual's condition warrants medical attention. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| Officers will seek medical intervention when there is excessive bleeding from the probe sites if the probes have fallen out or have been removed by the subject. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| Medical
intervention must be made when the subject displays an
inappropriate or unexpected response to the CEW: ● prolonged paralysis or stun response, ● loss of consciousness, ● seizure activity, or ● any other medical contra-indicator that causes concern. |
√ | √ | ||||||||||||||||
| Members must contact the Provincial Ambulance Service to attend location if CEW deployed. | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||||||||||||
| Medical intervention must be made when
the subject incurs a possible injury from a post-CEW fall: ● from greater than a standing height; ● onto a blunt or sharp object; or ● receives a blow to the head from the fall. |
√ | |||||||||||||||||
| The physical signs, symptoms, and mental state shall be noted by the investigating member and reviewed by EHS. Special care shall be taken with persons who are intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| Circumstances where medical assistance is not necessary | ||||||||||||||||||
| Probes penetrating the skin may be removed by officers trained in probe removal or first aid. | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |||||||||||||
| Probes that have only penetrated the clothing may be removed by officers. | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||||||||||||
| Probes should be removed in a manner that least interferes with subject’s privacy and dignity. | √ | √ | √ | |||||||||||||||
| Where the probes do not remain in the skin but caused a wound(s), first aid will be provided. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| It is not necessary to have a medically trained person examine the individual, unless a probe is lodged in a sensitive part of the body, such as the eye or the | √ | √ | √ | |||||||||||||||
| groin, or the individual's physical condition warrants medical attention. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Medical assistance dependent on officer discretion | ||||||||||||||||||
| Transport to a medical facility is based on the discretion of Emergency Health Services. | √ | √ | ||||||||||||||||
| Ambulance to be contacted if member believes it is necessary. | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||||||||||||||
| Ambulance to be contacted if subject requests. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| Ensure the individual receives medical attention if any unusual reactions occur or if the member thinks that he or she is in distress. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| Ensure the individual receives medical assistance if the individual has any apparent injuries requiring medical treatment, the individual is in distress, or the individual requests medical assistance. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| Injured or sick persons have the right to refuse medical aid. The use of force to provide medical aid shall only be used as a last resort, with extreme restraint and only when either: | √ | √ | ||||||||||||||||
| ● the power of arrest exists (Criminal Code, Mental Health Act, Liquor Control and Licensing Act, etc.), in which case members may transport to hospital via ambulance for treatment; or | ||||||||||||||||||
| ● the person appears to have life-threatening injuries and the refusal of treatment appears irrational due to shock, drug or alcohol abuse, or other medical | ||||||||||||||||||
| condition (e.g., epilepsy). If members reasonably believe the person is not capable of consenting to treatment, the person may be forcibly taken via ambulance. (FORCED MEDICAL TREATMENT) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Protocol to follow if medical assistance is warranted | ||||||||||||||||||
| Paramedics are to be advised subject was “hit with a CEW” and request that an emergency room physician attend to the subject. | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||||||||||||||
| Transport to medical facility will be in police transport, unless ambulance is more appropriate. | √ | √ | ||||||||||||||||
| If subject has potential to become aggressive in ambulance, officer will accompany in ambulance. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| Arresting member will provide physician name and time/date of release in report. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| If the subject is released at the scene, names of the attending EHS personnel shall be noted in the report. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| In all instances, a member will attend to the hospital and maintain custody of the subject until either released to hospital staff or transported to the police department. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| In all situations where a person has initially refused treatment or is under arrest, a member shall accompany the patient in the ambulance to the hospital. | √ | |||||||||||||||||
| If medical or physical injury is claimed or observed, the member will make note of that injury, photograph the injury, and where possible, request a statement relative to any injury or affliction from the individual. | √ | √ | ||||||||||||||||
| Medical precautions | ||||||||||||||||||
| Subject
is not to be left in prone position given the risk of positional asphyxia. |
√ | |||||||||||||||||
| Subject is to be placed in recovery position after “being hit with a CEW.” | √ | √ | √ | √ | ||||||||||||||
| Member is to continuously monitor the subject’s condition. | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | |||||||||||||