In what has become a common occurrence around America, the Denver Police Department is making numerous “philosophical” changes and policy modifications.
The department released its overhauled use of force policy for public review.
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The policy outlines when it is acceptable for officers to “control options” such as restraint techniques, batons, chemical agents, stun guns, service dogs and deadly force.
The policy states the goal is “force avoidance” and that de-escalation and the sanctity of life are core components.
Instead of focusing on quickly taking control of a situation, officers will be encouraged to slow down, when possible, to evaluate the situation, and consider their resources and options.
Chief Robert White said the emphasis is switching from considering whether the use of force is justifiable to considering whether it will result in the best outcome.
“There has been a sustained demand for a change in the method traditional policing is accomplished,” White said. “Keeping in line with our mission of operating a police agency with a focus on preventing crime in a respectful manner, demonstrating that everyone matters, we continue to make numerous philosophical and policy modifications consistent with our mission.”
As we have seen in other policy modifications, the Denver Police Department prohibits the use of force on moving vehicles unless someone is using deadly force with something other than the vehicle. We have previously discussed the dangers of that language and the use of moving vehicles has become a signature for terrorists across the country.
As our Editor In Chief Travis Yates has discussed, “it’s pretty much an invitation for anyone to take their vehicle and use it as a weapon without any force being used to stop that threat.”
The policy does have some positive language, mainly taken from case law, that is beneficial to law enforcement including judging the situation from a “totality of circumstances” and not requiring officers to exhaust one force option before going to another.
The policy is in draft form until after the community has ample time to review it and make suggestions. Community members are encouraged to review the policy and send feedback to [email protected] before Feb. 5.
