I think it is important that we all have the same information, so I am posting the link for the deadly force policy and the officer involved shooting procedures.
Dallas Police Department Use of Deadly Force Policy.
General Order 906.00 - Dallas Police Department Use of Deadly Force Policy
906.00 USE OF DEADLY FORCE
906.01 Philosophy
A. This philosophy is intended as a broad guide to the use of deadly force and as a moral and ethical approach to the use of deadly force policy. Although not intended as a strictly enforced set of rules, the philosophy statement describes the manner in which the procedures will be applied.
B. Protection of human life is a primary goal of the Police Department; therefore, police officers have a responsibility to use only the degree of force necessary to protect and preserve life.
C. Deadly force will be used with great restraint and as a last resort only when the level of resistance warrants the use of deadly force. The Dallas Police Department places a greater value on human life than on the protection of property; therefore, the use of deadly force is not allowed to protect property interests.
906.02 Use of Deadly Force Policy
A. Justification for the Use of Deadly Force -In all situations, justification for the use of deadly force must be limited to the facts reasonably apparent to the officer at the time the officer decides to use the force.
B. Definitions
1. Reasonably Perceive - The facts or circumstances the employee knows, or should know, that would cause an ordinary and prudent peace officer to act or think in a similar way under similar circumstances.
2. Reasonable Alternative - An action that may be taken by the officer that may allow the officer to avoid the use of deadly force.
3. Reasonable Belief - A belief that would be held by an ordinary and prudent person in the same circumstances as the actor.
4. Serious Bodily Injury - Bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss of impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
C. Avoiding the Use of Deadly Force
1. At the point when an officer should reasonably perceive the potential exists that deadly force may be an outcome of any situation, the officer must use reasonable alternatives if time and opportunities permit. The reasonableness of the action is based upon the time available, the opportunity of performing the action, and the facts apparent to the officer prior to and during the incident.
2. Planned and supervised hazardous entry situations are recognized as meeting the requirements of reasonable alternatives above.
3. Officers will not fire their weapons under conditions that would unnecessarily subject bystanders or hostages to death or possible injury except to preserve life or to prevent serious bodily injury.
D. Authorization to Use Deadly Force -Officers will only use deadly force to protect themselves or another person from imminent death or serious bodily injury.
E. Drawing or Displaying Firearms - Officers may draw or display firearms when there is a threat or reasonable belief that there is a threat to life or they have a reasonable fear for their own safety and/or the safety of others.
F. Discharging Firearms at Moving Vehicles -
1. Discharging firearms at a moving or fleeing vehicle is prohibited unless it is necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to the officer or another person.
2. Officers will not voluntarily place themselves in a position in front of an oncoming vehicle where deadly force is
a probable outcome.
3. When confronting an oncoming vehicle, officers will move out of its path, if possible, rather than fire at the vehicle.
G. Officers will not fire warning shots.
H. Policy Restrictions - The restrictions of this policy shall not apply if an off-duty officer acts within the provisions of current state statutes to protect the employee's personal property. In this case the officer is acting as a private citizen.
http://www.dallaspolice.net/reports/Shared Documents/General-Order-906.pdf
