I. AUTHORITY

This policy is issued under authority granted to the Chief Probation Officer.

II. PURPOSE

It is the policy of the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department to conduct all training in such a manner as to promote an attitude of safety among instructors and students alike. Concern for safety is of the highest priority and can only result in a reduction of risk. 

III. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all sworn officers.

IV. BACKGROUND

The efforts of all personnel involved in training shall be directed toward ensuring a safe atmosphere within which maximum training benefit can be realized. These safety policies are always available to any instructor/facilitator of any class and are encouraged to be reviewed prior to skills training.

The San Luis Obispo County Probation Department strongly endorses the most realistic training possible, without compromise to safety. Repetition is the key to success in any psychomotor learning activity. San Luis Obispo County Probation Department selects instructors that have high regard for the safety and protection of its staff and students while providing a dynamic, realistic, instruction. Adjuncts to safety are always encouraged even at the expense of realism.

V. GENERAL POLICY

1.  Staff and instructors are required to be familiar with all safety guidelines and procedures. Guest instructors are expected to review this document pertaining to any training exercise prior to conducting the exercise. All instructors will adhere to this document and take the appropriate action in the event policies are violated.
2.  Each instructor conducting a psychomotor activity is required to review this document prior   to conducting training. Instructors will explain, to all personnel and students involved, specific procedures during briefing of the exercise. Instructors emphasize violation of the safety procedures will not be tolerated.
3.  Each student injured, no matter how slight, during a psychomotor skill activity is required to report the injury immediately to the instructor. It is the instructor’s discretion whether the student will be allowed to continue the exercise or if further medical evaluation is warranted. Students discovered to have an injury without notifying the instructor may be dismissed from the training exercise. Regardless of the severity of the injury, an injury report will be completed.
4.  Instructors are required to be familiar with all general safety policies and procedures.  Instructors conducting specific psychomotor skill activities are required to be familiar with the written safety procedures specific to the ancillary training site and related training exercises. During lecture or briefing, instructors emphasize the need for safety and review facility safety policies prior to conducting training.
5.  Written material may be provided for recollection and reinforcement of a psychomotor skill. Repetition of safety procedures is no exception. Portions of the safety policy that are printed and distributed, prior to engaging in the training exercise. Students share the responsibility of ensuring policies are followed by fellow students.
6. Instructors are prohibited from teaching any unapproved techniques prior to receiving management authorization.  Vicarious liability is a certainty if instructors are permitted to teach unacceptable techniques. Therefore, instructors are provided with previously established POST approved course outlines from which the course must be conducted. Instructors deviating from the outline may be relieved or replaced in their instructor assignment.
7. Student Fitness for Training
   1.  Prior to conducting any physical activity, instructors shall ask students if they have any previous injuries, physical limitations, allergies, or any conditions that may be aggravated, or cause further injury. If there is any doubt or concern about a condition, the instructor will determine if the student should be allowed to participate or be required to produce a medical clearance.
   2.  Students shall report medical conditions that can potentially affect their ability to perform safely.
   3. The department may provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with California Department of Fair Employment and United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
   4.  Each student is required to read and sign a Safety Protocol for Defensive Tactics prior to engaging in psychomotor skill activities.
8.  Instructor Selection 
   1.  Instructors are selected by management.  Instructors must have the utmost desire to instruct with the understanding that all students do not learn in the same way. Patience, understanding, and professionalism are minimum standards for instructors.
   2.  Psychomotor skill training requires instructors to excel above minimum standards of proficiency. Instructors that recognize limitations caused by overexertion, physical or mental, must delay further instruction until a student is refreshed and able to resume. This is usually performed by breaks or instruction of a new subject material.
9.  Instructor Qualifications and Training
   1.  San Luis Obispo County Probation Department requires all instructors to maintain a current first aid and CPR certification. Certifications are currently through the American Heart Association and meet the curriculum requirements set forth by the Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMSA).
   2.  All defensive tactics instructors are required to complete a POST certified instructor course or its equivalent (AICC).
   3.  Defensive tactics and arrest control techniques instructors shall be encouraged to participate in periodic instructor update courses.
10.  Reporting and Handling of Student Injuries
    1.  San Luis Obispo County Probation Department has policies in place, detailing actions to be taken by staff members in the event of minor or major injuries. Policy includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of injury by instructor, reporting of injury to facility supervisor, telephone and radio communications to appropriate persons, and logistics for emergency transportation response and delivery to a predesignated medical facility when necessary.  In the event of an injury during arrest and control training, the following procedures shall be followed:
       1.  Minor Injuries: Students are admonished to report all injuries to the instructor immediately.  If the injury is minor (not requiring immediate medical attention) the student will inform the instructor whether or not they believe they need, or want, first aid medical treatment. If the injury can be treated through application of first aid techniques; the student will return immediately to his normal duties. First aid supplies will be available in all work areas and remote sites for the immediate treatment of minor injuries. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) will be available at each training site. Kits will be inspected monthly and supplies replenished as need by the Training Coordinator. 
       2.  Major Injuries: Students are admonished to report all injuries to the instructor immediately.  Student, who experience an injury/illness which requires care beyond first aid, must be seen by the designated panel providers identified in item J. Section 3.i Local Medical Facilities, of this this policy. In case of serious or life-threatening injury, the Instructor may opt to arrange transport to the nearest Emergency Room identified in item J Section 3.ii Local Emergency Medical Facilities of this policy. 
    2.  A student must provide acceptable attachment from a medical authority to allow a student to return and fully participate in psychomotor skill training. Returning to training generally must be without restriction. Additionally, necessary Worker’s Compensation forms, such as the Employee Report, and a DWC-1 form started by a supervisor, must be provided to the injured student. The Employee Report must be completed within 24 hours of the incident. A Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC-1) form, as well as the Supervisor’s Investigation Report must be completed and submitted to Risk Management within 24 hours.
    3.  When planning a training event, the training staff shall identify which medical facilitates and emergency services are available or subject to call in the event of an emergency or student injury: 
       1.  Local Medical Facilities:
       • Med Stop, 283 Madonna Rd., Suite B, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 (805) 549-8880

       • Med Plus, 877 Oak Park Blvd. Pismo Beach, CA 93449.

          (805) 474-8450

       • Family & Industrial Medical Center,47 Santa Rosa St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. (805) 542- 9596

       • Medpost Urgent Care, 500 First St, Paso Robles, CA 93446. 

         (805) 226-422

       1.   ​​​​Local Emergency Medical FacilitiesSierra Vista Regional Medical Center

       • 1010 Murray Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 (805) 546-7600, 

         (Injuries sustained while using the juvenile hall gym).

       •  French Hospital Medical Center 1911, Johnson Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401  (805) 543-5353, 

         (Injuries sustained while using the Casa Loma Classroom).

       • Twin Cities Community Hospital, 1100 Las Tablas Rd, Templeton, CA 93465. (805) 434-3500

       • Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, 345 S Halcyon Rd, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. (805) 489-4261

11.  Emergency Communications
    1.  The Staff has different forms of communications that are used for emergency situations.  The first line of communications is a dedicated phone located in each training venue.
    2.  The second line of communication are the cell phones carried by the instructors. Each instructor has the direct number to Sheriffs Dispatch and is capable of coordinating the proper resources should an accident take place.
    3. The third line of communication are the unit radio or hand-held radios. These radios are directly tied into Sheriffs Dispatch and are located inside the Training Vehicle assigned to the Probation Training Division and in miscellaneous area in the facility.
    4.  In the event of minor or major injuries observed by instructors, or reported by a participant, the following protocol will be followed:
       1.  Participant(s) will be asked to stop any further participation in training.
       2. The Lead Instructor will communicate with the other instructors regarding participant’s injury, consult with the injured participant and determine if the participant can continue to perform the required exercises, techniques and/or activities under modified restrictions.  
       3.  If it is determined the participant may remain in the training class under modified restrictions, the Lead Instructor should continue to monitor the participant and evaluate their ability to perform the required exercises, techniques and/or activities.
       4.  The Training Coordinator will be contacted and advised of the injury.
       5.  If it is determined the participant can no longer participate due to the injury, the Lead Instructor will contact the Training Coordinator and advise the participant has been dismissed from the training.
       6. The Training Coordinator should ensure that the participant’s Supervisor has been notified.
       7.  The participant’s immediate supervisor should ensure all Employee Injury Report forms and Supervisor Report forms are completed and submitted to Risk Management.
    5.  Students are required to complete a full medical examination should they lose consciousness during any training exercise. Logistics are in place to provide the student transportation via ground to a predesignated medical facility. In the interim, the staff personnel will maintain and provide the student environmental protection and medical assessment. Appropriate documentation and its distribution will be exercised.
12.  Injury Prevention
    1.  Instructors shall be familiar with the cause of common training related injuries and strategies for preventing such injuries.
       1.  Heat illness, exhaustion, musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory and cardiac emergencies.
       2. Instructors shall advise students of the causes of common exercise and training related injuries, and strategies for preventing such injuries.
    2.  Instructors shall consider weather conditions and the type of training to be conducted.
       1.  Excessive heat may require a reduction in training intensity and frequent rest and water breaks
       2.  Training in cold temperatures shall be closely monitored.
       3.  Strenuous exercise shall be avoided during periods of unhealthy air quality in accordance with the Air Quality Index (AQI).
13.  Instructor to Student Ratios
    1.  The ratios vary according to the type of instruction being delivered. The higher the potential for injury, the lower the ratio; whereas, the lowest type of activity, such as lecture, the higher the ratio. To accommodate safety, class sizes will be limited to these ratios.
    2. b. Instructor Ratio /Testing 1:2 Practical Exercises 1:6
14. COURSE CURRICULA
    1. There will be no departures from approved curricula, which would promote confusion or misapplication of techniques. Instructors shall follow the approved lesson plan. 
    2.  There will be no departures from approved curricula, which would promote confusion or misapplication of techniques. Instructors shall follow the approved lesson plan. 
15.  Arrest and Control Training
    1. General safety rules as well as procedures unique to each training facility shall be developed, posted in writing, and communicated to students prior to each training session. 
    2. Defensive tactics and arrest control techniques training shall occur in a designated “mat room” with inter-locking pads. 
    3. The size of the “mat-room” is to be adequate for the number of students to be trained. The mat room is to have a maximum capacity of 20 students. We will have an instructor to student ratio in all defensive tactic’s classes of a maximum of 1 to 6 (1:6)
    4.  Officers not able to participate due to modifications to their job abilities will not be allowed to attend any arrest and control portion of class and will be rescheduled.
    5. Environmental factors shall be considered when selecting a safe training location.  All Probation training sites shall remain free from outside distractions.
16.  Equipment
    1.  Students training in defensive tactics and arrest control techniques shall be required to meet the clothing and footwear standards established by the instructors.
    2.  Students are encouraged to wear clothing for physical training that allows for flexibility of movement and comfort 
    3.  The instructors shall conduct a pre-training inspection. A pre-training inspection ensures that students have brought the correct clothing and personal equipment. It provides the opportunity to check for the presence of watches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and other jewelry that may cause injury to the individual or other students.
    4. Equipment used in defensive tactics training shall be cleaned/disinfected regularly.
    5.  Mats shall be cleaned/disinfected daily. Mat attachment systems also require frequent examination. Mat surfaces are prone to tearing and shall be checked frequently and if needed repaired professionally.
    6.  The students shall inspect and clean footwear each time they leave and return to the mats. Cleanliness and a well-ordered training environment play and important part in the health and safety of all involved.
    7.  The instructors shall conduct periodic equipment inspections to ensure their safety and suitability.
    8.  Impact weapons, handcuffs and other training items shall be inspected prior to use to ensure mechanical integrity.
    9. A systematic physical warm-up procedure shall be initiated prior to commencement of any defensive tactics and arrest control techniques training.
    10. A systematic procedure for cool-down shall be initiated at the conclusion of any defensive tactics and arrest control techniques training.
17.  Presentation
    1.  Instructors shall maintain an appropriate level of discipline over students at all times.
    2.  Instructors shall consistently maintain a professional atmosphere during training and ensure that students abide by all published rules of conduct.
    3. Instructors shall attempt to identify students who are overly aggressive in the application of joint manipulation techniques and other pain compliance holds and take the steps necessary to ensure student safety.
    4. Instructors shall be aware of physical fatigue factors that affect the ability of the student to perform safely.
    5. Defensive tactics and arrest control techniques training is inherently tiring. Instructors shall be aware that long periods of training, environmental conditions, or other factors could unduly fatigue students and increase injury potential. For example, a high smog level, heat wave, or other environmental factor could suggest a reduction in training intensity. 
18.  Facilities
    1.  All facilities (classroom, gym or other) used for the instruction of PC 832 should have restricted access in order to prevent unauthorized entry.

VI. EXCLUSIVITY

This policy will remain in effect until superseded or suspended in writing by the Chief Probation Officer and can be reviewed as needed.