Title
Police Use of Force Policy Changes
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee with information regarding recent changes to the Police Department’s use of force policy.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
Recent local and national deadly force incidents involving law enforcement, combined with community appeals for change prompted the Phoenix Police Department to re-examine and update its use of force policy. The items listed below represent the specific policy changes that have been made through September.
• Carotid Control Technique. This control technique was eliminated from policy and is no longer a permissible use of force. Notification of this policy change was submitted to all employees via email and video messaging from the police chief through the department’s employee notification system.
• Duty to Intervene. The duty to intervene provision in the use of force policy was modified to apply to all employees. Previously, it had just applied to sworn staff. It was also moved to the beginning of the policy for emphasis. The duty to intervene provision requires all employees to intervene when they know or should know another employee is using unreasonable force. This policy provision coincides with the department's preservation of life standard that is also memorialized in this policy. Notification of this policy change was submitted to all employees via email and video messaging from the police chief through the department’s employee notification system.
• Medical Treatment. While the use of force policy contains language specifying that employees are responsible for requesting medical treatment for subjects against whom force was used, this action alone was insufficient. Employees are also required to administer first aid to subjects as quickly as possible while waiting for medical personnel to arrive on scene. A mandatory e-learning training video regarding this policy change is in development.
To enhance first-aid skills of front-line personnel, the department is offering Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) courses to interested employees on a voluntary basis. In August, 11 employees were the first to complete this training. While this program is in its infancy, the department hopes to significantly grow the number of employees with this training.
• Deadly Force/Vehicles. Restrictions were added to the policy that limit employees from shooting at or from a moving vehicle except in the most extreme, life-threatening situations when all other options have been exhausted. As an additional measure of safety, employees are not to deliberately place themselves in the path of a moving vehicle. Mandatory training on this policy change was initiated in late September through an e-learning video.
During the summer months, the police chief participated on the U.S. Conference of Mayors Committee on Police Reform and Racial Justice. This body identified a number of recommendations designed to re-imagine policing that included use of force guidelines consistent with these policy changes.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Police Department.