Best Practices for Managing Less-Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement

Less-lethal weapons (LLWs) are an increasingly common choice for many law enforcement agencies worldwide. While they offer a well-balanced option to de-escalate situations when a degree of force is necessary, they present unique challenges to LEAs in terms of storage, accountability, and accessibility.

Many best practices for firearms management apply to LLWs. And many existing governmental standards exist. But LLWs’ unique use cases and regulations can complicate matters.

This article highlights four best practices every LEA managing LLWs should follow: 

1. Establish clear policies 
2. Conduct regular training
3. Restrict access to certified individuals 
4. And automate monitoring

We discuss in detail how to apply these common-sense practices to the specific challenges presented by LLWs, highlight how smart management systems support these areas, and conclude with a case study from the Oregon State Police, which successfully overhauled its firearms and LLW management with the support of a smart weapons management system. 

Less-Lethal Weapon Deployment: Clear Policies for Law Enforcement Agencies 

As with any complex, risk-filled process, managing LLWs requires you to establish clear policies. These should protect the public, your officers, and your agency. Roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined so there is never an accountability gap. 

When it comes to LLWs specifically, your policies should address the practical aspects of storage, access, use, and training—what is and is not permissible by your police force. Overall, your LLW policies should consider the ethical considerations of their use, as this will help you best comply with regulations. 

Some other specific considerations:

1. Integrate LLWs with Use-of-Force Policies for Consistent Application: Your LLW policies should integrate with your overarching use-of-force policy. You need to ensure consistency and clarity in decision-making processes. The goal is to simplify decision-making for officers during high-risk encounters. You don’t want them needing to process how one scenario with firearms will unfold and another with a taser. Keep things unified. 
2. Interagency Collaboration to Standardize Less-Lethal Weapon Training: Most LEAs do not have the luxury of being the only organization allowed to use LLWs in their jurisdiction. Sharing LLW policies and training protocols across agencies fosters joint operations more effectively. It improves trust with the public, who don’t have to worry about varying standards of use during encounters with law enforcement. 
3. Ensure Less-Lethal Weapons Have Visual Distinction from Firearms: During procurement, ensure you acquire LLWs that are visually distinct from firearms. Brightly colored LLWs can reduce the risk of misidentification by secondary units that could lead to unnecessary escalation. 
4. Secure Storage and Controlled Deployment of LLWs: Require secure storage when LLWs are with an officer in the field and in your armory. 
5. De-escalation Training and Compliance in LLW Use: Your policy should mandate verbal de-escalation attempts before using LLW weapons, except in instances of immediate threat of serious injury or death. Officer reports must thoroughly document those situations. 

Regular Training for Less-Lethal Weapon Safety & Compliance 

LLW use and management are both complex activities. And in the field, context matters. Your officers must understand the full situation in which they operate when they weigh whether to use an LLW. That proficiency can only be built through ongoing, comprehensive training. Agencies must ensure all personnel who handle LLWs receive regular training tailored to the specific weapons in their arsenal. 

From top to bottom, your training program should address the following: 

1. Understanding the Purpose and Risks of Less-Lethal Weapons: Everyone should understand the purpose, capabilities, limitations, and potential risks associated with each type of LLW you stock. 
2. Safe Handling and Storage of Less-Lethal Weapons: Hands-on training should emphasize proper handling techniques, secure storage protocols, and procedures for responding to accidental discharges or malfunctions. This will help you ensure security without sacrificing efficiency. 
3. Scenario-Based Training for Real-World LLW Deployment: Role-playing realistic scenarios that mimic situations your officer will encounter in the field will help reinforce good decision-making skills under pressure. These simulations should also allow personnel to practice deploying LLWs effectively. If you encourage them to consider the complexities of de-escalation and risk assessment, include after-action reviews. 
4. De-escalation Tactics for Effective Less-Lethal Weapon Use: De-escalation training for less-lethal weapons should prioritize verbal intervention skills, teaching officers to use active listening, empathy, and clear communication to resolve situations without physical force. However, the training must also provide a comprehensive understanding of each LLW's capabilities and limitations, including their psychological impact on subjects, proper deployment techniques to minimize injury, and situations where their use might be counterproductive.
    

Restricting Less-Lethal Weapon Access to Authorized & Trained Officers 

Restrict access to LLWs to only authorized individuals and those who have completed your training. That will help ensure you stay compliant with all appropriate regulations. 

Smart locker systems offer an effective solution for doing that. They can integrate directly with agency personnel records to ensure only authorized personnel with current training can access LLWs. When an officer attempts to open a locker containing these weapons, the system automatically verifies their credentials and training status against the database. Access is granted only if they are up to date. 

The locker system also logs every access attempt, recording the date, time, and authorized personnel involved. Beyond controlling access to authorized personnel, this data can reveal weapon usage patterns and help ensure accountability across your police force.

Automated Monitoring & Reporting for LLW Security & Compliance 

Human error is completely unacceptable in weapons management. Automate your monitoring and reporting functions whenever possible. 

Smart police locker systems automatically record detailed access information—officer ID, time, and specific weapon retrieved—creating a reliable audit trail without the errors of manual documentation. This can significantly reduce the work needed to maintain proper oversight and regulatory compliance for your LLWs. Supervisors will also gain real-time visibility of LLW use through the system’s software dashboard.

Intelligent Lockers: The Future of Less-Lethal Weapon Security & Tracking  

Intelligent lockers offer a significant upgrade from traditional, manual weapons management practices. They provide real-time monitoring, automated access controls, and data-driven insights. 

Strong access controls, such as biometrics and RFID, greatly reduce the risk of theft or misuse. Computer-assisted signouts make weapons transactions easy without sacrificing security or accountability, which benefits law enforcement’s day-to-day operations and emergencies. 

We’ve covered how their automated logging can assist with regulatory compliance efforts. But logging can also improve weapons servicing. You can use a locker system to automatically track the number of weapon sign-outs and alert armory staff when one is due for servicing. You can also use the access panel on an intelligent locker to prompt officers to report problems at signout or return. If they do, the locker system automatically locks the weapon out of rotation and notifies service staff. It will only unlock that weapon with their credentials, so the weapon doesn’t accidentally end up back in circulation. 

Mini Case Study: How the Oregon State Police Transformed Firearms Management with RTN Intelligent Lockers 

The Oregon State Police (OSP) managed a large firearms inventory dispersed across 34 offices statewide. Their existing storage methods ranged from standard gun safes in major metropolitan offices to any available locked containers in more remote locations. 

This raised questions about weapon security, accountability, and operational efficiency. So in 2022, the OSP partnered with Real Time Networks (RTN) to implement a standardized firearms management solution using AssetTracer UT Series Intelligent Lockers. 

The OSP chose this system because its rugged design could accommodate all the different OSP facilities. The lockers were both secure and customizable to fit into any office’s available footprint. Each location also needed to store a different mix of weapons. Since the AssetTracer locker systems were customizable and could include many different-sized compartments, they were able to manage their entire departmental arsenal in one connected system. 

The implementation process involved close collaboration between RTN and the OSP. Captain Casey Thomas of the OSP commended RTN's clear communication and detailed documentation throughout the project, ensuring a smooth transition. “The deployment was a good team effort. It went efficiently given the sheer size and scope of the process.” 

The project was so successful, in fact, that it prompted the OSP to explore further applications of intelligent locker technology. At the time of writing, OSP leadership was considering expanding its use of intelligent lockers to manage other sensitive items, like police gear and evidence. 

Enhancing Less-Lethal Weapon Management with Smart Technology 

Consider leveraging intelligent locker technology if you're looking for a more efficient and accountable way to manage less-lethal weapons within your law enforcement agency. Real Time Networks offers intelligent locker systems that provide enhanced security, real-time tracking, and data-driven insights. They’ll help you streamline your agency’s operations and improve officer accountability, all without sacrificing regulatory compliance.