(A) Policy. Regardless of the type of crime committed or the legal justification for shooting at a suspect, officers are reminded that their basic priority is their responsibility to protect the public. Officers are reminded to be especially cautious when shooting in situations that would place innocent persons in positions of substantial danger. In the stress of a shooting incident, an officer may not have the opportunity, nor the ability to direct his or her shot to a non-fatal area. To require the officer to do so would increase the risk of danger to himself, herself or other innocent persons. Therefore, in any deadly force incident, officers are to shoot to stop or neutralize an armed attacker.
(B) Rule. Police Department officers are not permitted to discharge their weapons in the following situations.
(1) Warning shots will not be discharged to influence the surrender of any person.
(2) Shots will not be discharged at any person who has committed only a minor misdemeanor, misdemeanor or traffic violation.
(3) Shots will not be discharged to stop any person who simply runs away or flees to avoid arrest.
(Prior Code, § 33.62)