Does your Use of Force Policy require officers to exhaust all alternatives before resorting to deadly force?

Our entire use of force policy is based on the concept that force, when applied by an officer, must be reasonable and necessary. Our policy specifically states the ultimate objective of every law enforcement encounter is to avoid or minimize injury. You might ask, how does an officer determine what is reasonable? Our policy lists several different factors for officers to consider when determining if force is necessary. For example, what is the subject’s mental state or capacity?, what is the subject’s age or size?, are there other options available? All of these factors are detailed in policy section 300.3.2 and are used by the officer(s) to determine if force is necessary and reasonable.

Show All Answers

1. Does your Use of Force Policy allow officers to use chokeholds or strangleholds?
2. Does your Use of Force Policy ban shooting at moving vehicles?
3. Does your Use of Force Policy include a duty to intervene provision?
4. Does your Use of Force Policy require a "use of force continuum?"
5. Does your Use of Force Policy require verbal warnings, when possible, before using deadly force?
6. Does your Use of Force Policy require de-escalation and are MPD officers receiving training in the best practices of de-escalation?
7. Does your Use of Force Policy require officers to exhaust all alternatives before resorting to deadly force?
8. Letter to the Community Regarding the Death of George Floyd
9. Community Statement Regarding George Floyd