STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 15
8/12/2025
TN
Date: August 12, 2025
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Patti Garibay, Director - Community Development
Rod Armalin, Chief of Police - Lancaster Police Department Sam McNutt, Community Preservation Manager – Community Development
Subject: Approval of Employee Guidelines for the Use of Personal Protective Spray Recommendation:
1. Approve the City of Lancaster Pepper Spray Policy for permanent and temporary Community Preservation and Lancaster Police Department employees who have completed the required training and have City of Lancaster approval, are authorized to carry and use pepper spray as a self-defense measure while on duty.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
Budget will be allocated from account X to cover the costs for staff training and to purchase pepper spray devices for employee use.
Background:
To enhance the safety of unarmed City staff who regularly interact with the public, the City has developed a Pepper Spray Policy outlining appropriate use, training requirements, and reporting procedures. This policy applies to permanent and temporary non-law enforcement employees in the Community Preservation Division and Lancaster Police Department.
Pepper spray and similar chemical agents are intended to serve as non-lethal tools for subduing individuals and overcoming resistance. These disabling agents are designed to incapacitate without causing permanent harm. Pepper spray contains Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), a natural compound derived from the oils and resins of tropical pepper plants. 1 9
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Employee training will be conducted by a City-approved instructor and will include a review of the City’s Pepper Spray Policy and Procedures, the manufacturer’s instructions, and Penal Code Section 22810. Employees must demonstrate a clear understanding of these materials and participate in a test deployment exercise before being authorized to carry pepper spray. Re- certification will be required every two years.
Authorized use of pepper spray will be limited to the following circumstances:
1. In self-defense or in defense of others, in accordance with Penal Code Sections 692, 693.1, and 694;
2. In response to a direct order from a law enforcement officer;
3. When aiding a law enforcement officer who is unable to issue a direct order;
4. When used by an animal control officer in accordance with departmental procedures.
Employees will be required to store pepper spray securely and leave it at their worksite when off duty. In the event of a discharge, the employee will be required to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency as soon as it is safe to do so and submit a written incident report to their supervisor within 48 hours. Exceptions to this timeframe may be granted by a supervisor on a case- by-case basis.
Following any use, employees will be required to retreat to a safe distance and call 9-1-1 for assistance.
Attachment:
City of Lancaster Employee Pepper Spray Policy