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enforcement agencies. He noted PPD diligently researches City policies before incorporating them into <br /> its own with PPD's policies more likely to be above the Lexipol threshold. <br /> Chief Swing reported use of force reform is continuous within the department. He cited AB 392 which <br /> added new requirements for an officer's use of deadly force in relation to the national standard <br /> established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor. He advised use of force incidents are <br /> reviewed by all levels of the PPD and reported in 2019 only 0.4% of all calls involved the use of force. <br /> He noted of the 37 total incidents, 28 used the lowest level of force. Additionally, he advised all <br /> incidents are reviewed extensively and a recommendation from the Police Chief can raise the level of <br /> discipline for the officer. He also noted incidents of deadly force are investigated in partnership with the <br /> Alameda County District Attorney. <br /> Chief Swing presented eight key policy areas for review which include chokeholds, shooting at moving <br /> vehicles, de-escalation training and practice, exhausting all alternatives, requiring a warning before <br /> shooting, comprehensive reporting, duty to intercede, and the use of force continuum. <br /> Chief Swing reported chokeholds have been banned since the 1990s and carotid restraint has been <br /> suspended since June 10, 2020, pending the status of AB 1196. He recommends suspending <br /> comparable restraints until the state law is settled as they are seldom used by PPD. <br /> On shooting at moving vehicles, Chief Swing said they looked at recent examples and training to avoid <br /> the inherently dangerous practice of shooting at moving vehicles. He reported examples show that the <br /> training is working, however, citing personal experience from an incident at last year's Gilroy Garlic <br /> Festival, he stated that sometimes it is a necessary option; and recommended no policy changes, <br /> inclusive of banning the action, because the tool may be needed. <br /> Chief Swing advised de-escalation has been in practice long before it became a national topic and <br /> using a less-forceful controlling method, like handcuffs, is reinforced in multiple training environments. <br /> He noted de-escalation comes with the caveat that it requires ability and cooperation which may not <br /> come from someone under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or in acute mental <br /> distress, for example. His recommendation is to increase training and change policy language for <br /> officers to consider alternative tactics and de-escalation when feasible. He acknowledges it is not a <br /> one-time mindset training but something which must be done consistently for the long haul. <br /> Chief Swing reported a recommended policy change to add language that officers consider action that <br /> may decrease the need for force and evaluate tactics that may result in voluntary compliance without <br /> using force. He noted pursuing reasonable alternatives when feasible is aligned with current legislation <br /> under AB392 and is best practice in the profession. <br /> Chief Swing reported warning before shooting is required, where feasible, for fleeing felons and is like <br /> other types of force such as a taser or police canine. He further explained the feasibility is relevant <br /> because not all situations allow time for a warning. He advised officers are trained to provide a warning <br /> to gain compliance without using force and there are situations where it has proven to work. He <br /> recommends applying the existing warning to fleeing felons to all applications of lethal force. <br /> Chief Swing reported current policy requires documentation and supervisor notification and any use of <br /> force is extensively reviewed at both the supervisory and command levels. He recommends <br /> strengthening the policy to reflect their practice and implementing a use of force tracking and early <br /> warning system to make sure the officer's behavior aligns with departmental training. <br /> Chief Swing reported duty to intercede in an application of excessive force is a moral obligation and the <br /> expectation is reinforced in scenario-based training and briefings. He recommends amending the policy <br /> to state officers "shall" (instead of "should") promptly report observations of excessive force to a <br /> City Council Minutes Page 3 of 12 August 20, 2020 <br />