Original Date: 5/10/2005 * Last Revision Effective: 3/20/2024
Policy Contact: Vice President, Administrative Services
Policy
Bellevue College employs individuals to perform duties as security officers. These officers are trained and instructed in nonviolent crisis intervention skills that allow them to avoid or defuse most confrontational situations. Public safety officers are expected to patrol the campus grounds and respond to potentially violent situations either with or without immediate backup. OC (pepper) spray when used properly and with the proper training may enable an officer to protect themselves or other persons from physical attack. The purpose for utilizing OC spray must be limited to the protection of the officer or others who are under immediate physical attack and will in no way be used to otherwise influence, intimidate or detain an individual regardless of circumstance. Proper training, restrictive policy and certification will indemnify Bellevue College and its employees from liability for their actions.
The following outlines where and when public safety officers employed by the college may employ OC (pepper spray) in the performance of their duties.
- OC spray may only be used by public safety officers who have been trained and certified by a recognized training agency with training arranged and sponsored by Bellevue College. Record of such training must be on file and a copy present in the officers’ personnel file.
- The use of pepper spray is limited to areas that are well ventilated and care will be taken where others are in attendance.
- OC spray will used only to protect the public safety officer or others from imminent physical harm and will only be used in accordance with the use of force policy where OC spray is addressed.
- Any public safety officer who is forced to rely on the use of OC spray after exhausting all other measures including withdrawing from the situation must file a complete written account of the event and notify the director of public safety as soon as it is prudent to do so. The director of public safety will conduct a review and provide a written report to the vice president of administrative services as outlined in the internal public safety use of force policy.
Questions about this security procedure or the law enforcement elements of such plans or policies should be directed to the director of public safety.
Definitions
Employee
- Any person employed or contracted by Bellevue College.
OC Spray
- Oleoresin capsicum spray, a natural spray, commonly known as “pepper spray”.
Public Areas
- Areas accessible to the general public and or employees of Bellevue College.
Public Safety
- Applies to any person employed by the public safety office.
Revision History
Original 5/10/2005
Revision 5/21/2009; 10/15/2015; 3/20/2024
Approved By
Board of Trustees
Last Updated March 20, 2024