AGENDA REPORT - Laserfiche WebLink

In 2017, the police department brought in outside experts to teach all officers Procedural Justice and Implicit Bias Awareness. The course was a research-based curriculum designed to increase peace officers' ability to improve the public's confidence and trust in law enforcement agencies. The course melds the principles of Procedural Justice and Implicit Bias to create a broad awareness of these two important concepts. Law enforcement can improve trust and relationships with their communities by using these principles to evaluate their policies, procedures and training within their departments. In addition, developing an understanding of these two concepts enables law enforcement to improve safety and well-being for the public and law enforcement alike. In 2018, the police department contracted with the Blue Courage Delivery Team to bring a one-day training course to all police officers. The presenters covered a wide range of topics such as diversity/inclusion, leadership, resilience, the nobility of policing, and practical wisdom. In 2019, all officers participated in reality-based training scenarios. These scenarios incorporated use of force decision making, de-escalation strategies, crisis intervention techniques and providing immediate medical aid following the application of force. In 2020, officers are scheduled to attend a Principled Policing course. Staff recommends adding language to the policy requiring officers consider and utilize alternative tactics and de-escalation techniques when feasible and when doing so will not reasonably compromise the safety of the officers or the community. 4. Exhaust All Alternatives Before Using Force Section 300.3.2 of the policy manual outlines factors used to determine the reasonableness of a use of force. One of those factors is "the availability of other reasonable and feasible options and their possible effectiveness." This is taken into consideration as part of the totality of circumstances when reviewing a use of force. If a potentially effective, feasible and reasonable alternative exists to force, officers are expected to pursue it. A policy requiring the exhaustion of all alternatives regardless of feasibility or possible effectiveness before using force is unrealistic and dangerous. Officers are unable to attempt and exhaust all alternatives in uncertain and rapidly unfolding situations. Time is an important factor and some situations do not afford officers the opportunity to exhaust all alternatives. If a person poses an immediate threat to the safety of others, officers must act rapidly. This is done to minimize risk to the public, officers and to the person posing the threat. A requirement to exhaust all alternatives would put the officers and public at increased risk. As affirmed in U.S. Supreme Court decision Graham v. Connor, an officer's decision to use force is based on a reasonable officer standard without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. Staff recommends adding language to the policy which would require officers consider actions that may decrease the need for using force when circumstances permit and adding language which encourages officers to utilize reasonably available alternative Page 12 of 17