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Use of Force Policy

Executive Overview
A component of the CG maritime law enforcement mission is use of force against persons and vessels. The CG use of force policy applies to all CG personnel and Navy units operating under CG tactical control.

Objectives
- Explain how CG use of force policy minimizes the potential for an international inciden, while providing maximum protection for CG personnel.
-  Describe how processes followed when using force to stop a vessel ensure minimal damage and the lowest risk to personnel onboard.

Background

Title 14 United States Code 89 provides authority for CG commissioned, warrant and petty officers to enforce all applicable U.S. laws and to use all necessary force to compel compliance. In recent years, CG has revised its use of force policy to provide additional tools to conduct the mission with reduced risk of injury to CG personnel.

Points

• Only minimum force reasonably necessary may be used. Force is not used when assigned duties can be discharged without it. Excessive force may never be used. CG personnel have the inherent right to use all available means and to take all appropriate action to defend themselves and others from physical harm.

• CG units and personnel conducting law enforcement operations do not have a duty to retreat. However, retreat is an alternative and may be reasonable in a given circumstance.

• Approval from higher authority is not required prior to using force, except for warning shots and the use of disabling fire to stop a vessel and in some instances the use of warp cutters.

• This policy applies to all CG personnel and vessels, and those aircraft specifically authorized. It applies to all non-CG personnel on board CG units as well as all non-CG units or personnel operating under CG command or control.

• When operating in military situations, the CG applies the Standing Rules of Engagement promulgated by the Department of Defense.

• All law enforcement personnel are formally trained and regularly evaluated in their understanding of the policy and ability to properly apply the continuum of force.

• All use of force instances are reported to enable Law Enforcement trainers and program managers to review them for effectiveness, ensure policy compliance, and/or take appropriate follow-on actions.

• CG use of force policy is reviewed on a continuing basis.

Proposed Action / The Course Ahead

The CG has created a team of experts, Project Erickson, to determine the viability of various less-than-lethal technologies for compelling compliance and to provide more tools for boarding teams to compel compliance short of using deadly force.

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