Stupid question from a non-LEO:

Would I be correct in understanding that beanbags are at the same level on the use of force continuum as slugs, and would only be deployed in situations that would justify lethal force?

Stupid question from a non-LEO:

Would I be correct in understanding that beanbags are at the same level on the use of force continuum as slugs, and would only be deployed in situations that would justify lethal force?

no.

Bean bag, kinetic energy impact rounds, less lethal.  On the force continuum, they class as an impact weapon, below lethal and deadly force. (that which may cause, that which will cause )
A beanbag can cause death, if impact occurs in the wrong area. same with a baton strike.  When properly deployed, it should not cause significant injury.

My last deployment did leave a scar, but no permanent injury.  Individual with a club, OC spray did not have any effect.  Options (no taser available) were deadly force, hands on or beanbag.  Beanbag deployed, he surrendered.  no one else hurt.  Deadly force could have been justified as he was not complying, engaged in active resistance and had a weapon. Hands on could have sent someone, or several someones to the hospital with injuries.

As far as tragedy.  I believe the departments using 2 different but fundamentally identical weapons systems are more likely to incur the tragedy then we are.  For discussion purposes, there is no practical difference between a Remington 870, a Mossberg 500 or a Winchester 1200.   I'm not talking placement of safety switches as being a practical difference.  I'm not talking "color" being a practical difference.  Do you have color blind or color deficient officers ?  are you in compliance with ADA ?

2 pm on a bright sunny day or 2 am on a pitch black stormy night with no lights.  when my officer grabs the shotgun, he knows: It's a Remington 870, chamber is empty, if he racks the action, the first round is a beanbag.

The entire concept is,  IF TIME PERMITS, and circumstances justify it, then the officer has the option of using less lethal.  PERIOD.

otherwise, the officer is going to use lethal force.  Period.

We do not allow lethal shotgun rounds in the cars or kit bags, and the less lethal shotguns are kept unloaded in the car, so the officer has to visually identify each round placed in the tube as a less lethal round.

Our beanbag shotgunners are issued 10 rounds.  They load the 870 at the start of the shift with their rounds and unload them at the end of the shift.  The unloaded shotgun is stored in the arms closet until the next Officer takes it out.

Pool cars, shotguns are issued to the car.

We found that people would skip verifying the load on the gun at the start of the shift, so it was easier to simply require empty tube and full sidesaddle.

The rifles are the "go to" option for lethal force scenarios known in advance, and the LL requires lethal cover anyhow.