SRPD Outlines Current Policies and New Changes
SRPD Outlines Current Policies and New Changes at
What’s Next? Community Input and Dialogue Regarding Public Safety Policies In response to the desires brought forth by the community through conversations with City officials, local demonstrations, and letters; the City has planned upcoming opportunities for community input and dialogue around public safety policies and Santa Rosa’s Community Empowerment Plan. Additional opportunities will be announced as they are scheduled, but here’s what is coming next:
Open Community Forum, Tuesday, June 30 at 12:00 p.m.
• The intent of the Community Forum is to provide an opportunity for open dialogue for all residents of Santa Rosa around public safety policies and other City policies, projects, programs, and services that impact our communities of color.
• Agenda and Participation Information to be posted HERE
• City Council Study Session on the Community Empowerment Plan, Tuesday, June 30 (immediately following Community Forum)
• Staff will present the SR Community Empowerment Plan (Plan) to provide an overview of the Plan goals, objectives, and timeline so that it may be modified based on public input. Agenda and Participation Information to be posted HERE
Public Safety Subcommittee of the City Council, Wednesday, July 1 at 2:00 p.m.
• Newly established by the Mayor of Santa Rosa, the subcommittee is tasked with review of public safety policies and procedures.
• Agenda and Participation Information is posted HERE
Current Policies and New Changes
Policies
View all policy documents here.
(Webpage Updated on June 23, 2020)
1. Banned Carotid Restraint:
As of June 9, 2020, we no longer allow the use of Carotid Restraint.
2. Requires De-escalation:
Our training includes de-escalation techniques to reduce the use of force during encounters. We incorporate ongoing de-escalation in our Firearms training, Force Options Simulator, Tactical Communication, Taser, and Defensive Tactics. We strive for de-escalation in the field whenever possible, only using force as necessary. Policy 300
3. Use of Force Continuum:
Our policy divides the use of force into low, medium, and high levels. Officers shall use only the amount of force that reasonably appears necessary given the facts and totality of the circumstances known to or perceived by the officer at the time of the event to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose (Penal Code 835a). Our training outlines factors used to determine the reasonableness of force, such as the age of the individual, disability, the seriousness of the crime, mental state, intoxication, and proximity of weapons. Officers provide verbal commands and warnings when possible before using force. When force is used medical attention is immediately sought out for subjects with any injury or complaints of pain or discomfort. Our ultimate objective for every encounter is voluntary compliance and to avoid or minimize injury when applying reasonable force. Policy 300.5
4. Requires Warning Before Shooting:
Per 835 PC, officers will, when reasonable, identify themselves as an officer and warn before use of force, including firing a weapon. This warning has been implemented as part of our firearms training.
5. Restricts Shooting at Moving Vehicles:
We do not allow shooting at moving vehicles unless it is in defense of life. This training is part of our firearms training. Policy 312.7
6. Exhausts All Other Means Before Shooting:
The use of force is a critical concern and serious responsibility. Deadly force will only be used when necessary and employees understand and respect the value of all human life and dignity without prejudice. Officers are entrusted to use well-reasoned discretion to determine the appropriate use of force and are trained in a variety of less-lethal tools and tactics. Policies 309, 308, and 306
7. Duty to Intervene:
We expect our officers to intercede when in a position to do so upon observing force which is clearly beyond what is objectively reasonable and report it immediately. We are all informal leaders and should work to support each other and hold each other accountable so that we learn and correct our behavior in all aspects of our career. Policy 300.7
8. Requires Comprehensive Reporting:
All incidents involving the use of force are documented. Our department utilizes IAPro, our Internal Affairs software, to track the use of force incidents. We conduct inquiries into all use of force incidents. (Policy 300.8) The Department reports the required information to the Department of Justice. We also meet transparency and reporting mandates per California Law (SB 1421 and AB 748).
TRANSPARENCY
The Santa Rosa Police Department is committed to transparency and open communication. We have created this webpage to provide convenient access to responsive records, training materials, and policies and procedures.
Access to items not included on this webpage may be requested through a Public Records Act request.
