32 C.F.R. PART 632—USE OF FORCE BY PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY DUTIES
Title 32 - National Defense
Authority: 10 U.S.C. 3012.
Source: 48 FR 17074, Apr. 21, 1983, unless otherwise noted.
This regulation implements DOD Directive 5210.65. It sets uniform policy for use of force by DA law enforcement and security personnel. (a) This regulation applies to all DA including Army National Guard and Army Reserve and civilian personnel engaged in law enforcement or security duties, and those civilian contract guard personnel performing security duties. These duties include guarding U.S. Military prisoners and interior guard duties. (b) Except for personnel guarding U.S. military prisoners, this regulation does not apply to persons assigned to— (1) A wartime combat zone. (2) A non-wartime hostile fire area. (3) Duties with the U.S. Secret Service. (4) Civil disturbance control. (See para 4–12, FM 19–15.) (a) Law enforcement and security personnel will use force only when they cannot fulfill their duties without it. They will use the minimum force needed; only as a last resort will they use deadly force. (See §§632.3(c), 632.4, and 632.5.) (b) Commanders are encouraged to substitute nonlethal devices (such as night sticks) for firearms when adequate for law enorcement and security personnel to safely fulfill their duties. (c) In evaluating the degree of force needed for specific law enforcement or security situations, consider these options: (1) Verbal persuasion. (2) Unarmed defense techniques. (3) Chemical aerosol irritant projectors (M36). (May be subject to host nation or local restrictions.) (4) MP club. (5) MP working dogs. (6) Deadly force. (§632.4) (d) Entrapment, i.e., inducing someone to commit an offense in order to prosecute that person, is not permitted in law enforcement or security duties. (e) Use MP working dogs in accordance with the provisions of AR 190–12. Release dogs only if a lesser measure of force would not be effective. (1) Releasing a sentry dog to apprehend a suspect is a greater measure of force than releasing a patrol dog. (2) Before releasing a military dog for attack, give a challenge or order to halt. (a) Deadly force is destructive physical force directed against a person or persons (e.g., firing a lethal weapon). Use it only in extreme need, when all lesser means have failed or cannot reasonably be used. Use deadly force for one or more of the following reasons only: (1) In self-defense, when in imminent danger of death or serious injury. (2) To protect property related to national security, when reasonably necessary to prevent— (i) Threatened theft, damage, or espionage aimed at property or information specified by a commander or other competent authority as vital to national security. (See paragraph (b) of this section.) (ii) Actual theft, damage, or espionage aimed at property or information which, though not vital, is substantially important to national security. (See paragraph (b) of this section.) (iii) Escape of an individual whose unauthorized presence near property or information vital to national security is a reasonable threat of theft, sabotage, or espionage. (3) To prevent actual theft or sabotage of property (such as operable weapons or ammunition) which could cause deadly harm to others in the hands of an unauthorized person. (4) To prevent serious offenses against a person or persons (e.g., armed robbery, rape, or violent destruction of property by arson, bombing). (5) To apprehend a suspect believed to have committed any of the types of offenses named in paragraphs (a) (2), (3), and (4) of this section. (6) To prevent the escape of a prisoner (when authorized by a commander or other competent authority and reasonably necessary). (7) To obey lawful orders from higher authority governed by this regulation. (b) A commander or other competent authority will specify that property or information is— (1) Vital to national security only when its loss, damage, or compromise would seriously harm national security or an essential national defense mission. (2) Substantially important to national security based on the mission and the material or information required to perform it. (c) To comply with local law or international agreement or arrangements, a commander may impose further restrictions on using deadly force. (Restrictions should not unduly compromise U.S. security interests). (d) Security criteria and standards for protection of nuclear weapons (paragraph (c) of this section AR 50–5–1) and for chemical agents (paragraph (c) of this section AR 50–6–1) also apply. (a) If it becomes necessary to use a firearm in any of the circumstances described in §632.4 of this part, observe the following precautions when possible: (1) Give an order to halt before firing. (2) Do not fire if shots are likely to harm innocent bystanders. (3) Since warning shots could harm innocent bystanders, avoid firing them. However, when lesser degrees of force have failed, the law enforcement or security person may judge that warning shots would help to control the situation without using deadly force. If able to avoid hazards to innocent persons in these cases, fire warning shots. (4) Aim to disable. At times it may be difficult to fire with enough precision to ensure disabling rather than killing. If the use of firearms are otherwise authorized by this regulation, such circumstances will not rule out their use. (a) Commanders will ensure that all persons assigned to law enforcement, security, or US military prisoners' guard duties will, before performing these duties— (1) Receive instructions on regulations regarding use of force. (2) Show knowledge and skill in the use of— (i) Unarmed defense techniques. (ii) MP club. (iii) Individual chemical aerosol irritant projectors. (iv) Their assigned firearms. (b) Commanders will also— (1) Provide periodic refresher training to ensure continued proficiency and updated knowledge in these skills. (Include applicable host nation requirements.) (2) Require MPs with law enforcement duties to qualify yearly with their assigned handguns. (3) Require interior guards to receive instructions regarding use of force. (Give periodic refresher training to ensure continued familiarity with regulations.) (c) Requirements concerning use of the MP club and chemical aerosol irritant projectors apply only when these weapons are issued items or are carried on duty. (d) FM 19–5 contains procedures and methods for using unarmed defense techniques and the MP club.
Title 32: National Defense
PART 632—USE OF FORCE BY PERSONNEL ENGAGED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY DUTIES
Section Contents
§ 632.1 Purpose.
§ 632.2 Applicability.
§ 632.3 Policy.
§ 632.4 Deadly force.
§ 632.5 Use of firearms.
§ 632.6 Administrative instructions.
§ 632.1 Purpose.
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§ 632.2 Applicability.
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§ 632.3 Policy.
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§ 632.4 Deadly force.
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§ 632.5 Use of firearms.
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§ 632.6 Administrative instructions.
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