Explanation
This ordinance creates new Chapter 1913 Restrictions on the Deployment and use of Equipment by Police.
Title
To create in Columbus City Codes Chapter 1913 Restrictions on the Deployment and Use of Equipment by Police.
Body
WHEREAS, this ordinance will enact restrictions on the deployment and use of certain equipment by the Division of Police; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That there is hereby created in Columbus City Codes Chapter 1913 Restrictions on the Deployment and Use of Equipment by Police, which shall read as follows:
Chapter 1913 - Restrictions on the Deployment and Use of Equipment by Police
1913.01 - Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(A) “Control agent” means a chemical compound that temporarily renders a person unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, or skin. Control agent includes, but is not limited to, tear gas, pepper spray, and mace.
(B) “Patrol rifle”means any rifle that is an automatic or semi-automatic firearm under .50 caliber. This definition excludes the handguns and shotguns issued to sworn personnel and the rifles used by sworn personnel assigned to tactical units that are approved by the Columbus Division of Police to be used during the course of regularly assigned duties.
(C) “Specialty impact and gas munitions device” means a firearm that is intended to deploy “non-lethal” or “less lethal” ammunition, such as, but not limited to, wooden baton rounds, rubber bullets, sandbags, for crowd control purposes.
(D) “Tactical unit” means a special operations such as, but not limited to, SWAT or Investigative-Tactical Unit.
1913.02 - Control and deployment of equipment
The following equipment shall be issued to and deployed by only officers assigned to tactical units of the Columbus Division of Police:
(A) Wheeled armored vehicles;
(B) Wheeled tactical vehicles;
(C) Explosives and pyrotechnics;
(D) Any device for which the pri...
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