Use of Force Policy Review

At least once every year, we conduct a staff review of our use of force policies. We do this using a cloud-based network where all police department supervisors are invited to offer edits and feedback on suggestions by others. The process begins with a review of any recent legislation or court cases, and then we look at data from our own incidents involving use of force to see if there are any worrisome trends. 

It hasn’t been a full year yet, but I thought now would be a good time to give the policies another look. This time, the staff review will also seek feedback from our community. 

Specifically, we are looking at each of the suggestions published by the “8 can’t wait” campaign. Most of these are already incorporated into our existing policy in varying language, but we want to see if there are ways to make them more clear and understandable, both to the officers and to those we serve.

Some things to think about as we move forward with this project: 

1. What does it mean to require an officer to intervene? Does it mean to physically stop the conduct that is perceived to be inappropriate, or is a verbal suggestion sufficient? 
2. How do you define a “choke hold”? Is it any tactic that touches any part of the neck, or does it mean to actually compress the trachea with the intent of stopping airflow to the lungs? For example, officers are trained to use pressure points in the base of the jaw as a way to get compliance without injury. This can be a very effective and low-risk technique, but it can be easily perceived by others as a “choke hold.” Do we prohibit that?
3. Is an outright ban on choke-holds reasonable? What if the circumstances truly warrant deadly force but the officer is, for example, pinned in such a way that he or she cannot access any weapons. Might it be reasonable under those circumstances?
4. Is an outright ban on shooting at moving vehicles appropriate? What if the driver is trying to drive into a large crowd, as has happened quite frequently in recent times?
5. Is it reasonable to require a verbal warning in every instance before using deadly force? Might there be circumstances where a warning could expose officers to danger or prompt an armed person to start shooting innocent people?

These are just a few of the questions that we will consider during this review, and my goal is to have policies that promote safety and professionalism without ambiguity. As I am committed to ensuring that what we do is a reflection of the values of our community, please feel free to share your thoughts.

rvincent@mygulfport.us

727-893-1049

On the Death of George Floyd

To my friends and my community: I am shocked at the conduct of the officers involved in the death of George Floyd, and I am embarrassed for our profession. I share in your anger and frustration, but please do not let this situation influence your perception of those of us who wear a uniform. What the officers did in that case does not represent the hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers involved in millions of contacts each and every day throughout this country.

In reality, police use of force is a very rare occurrence. Rarer still when it results in death. And extremely rare when death is the result of inappropriate conduct. It's just that every time it happens, given today’s commercial and social media environment, the news spreads fast and far.

Take Gulfport for example. Over the past five years, officers have used force 171 times. That may seem like a lot, but consider that in that same time, we made 2,163 arrests while responding to 137,714 calls for service. Every one of these cases is documented and investigated for compliance with law and policy. Of the 171 incidents, there were no complaints of excessive force, and only one investigation revealed a policy violation. These ratios are typical and demonstrate how extremely unlikely it is that an individual will be involved in a use of force situation, let alone one that involves police misconduct.

And it’s not just internal reviews that hold officers accountable. Everything we do is subject to oversight by multiple levels, including the local prosecutor, state police standards board, and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

I encourage anyone who would like a closer look at how law enforcement operates on a day to day basis to participate in your local citizens’ police academy. Most agencies, including state and federal, make these programs available multiple times per year.

Or better yet, come join us and earn a badge of your own. We are always looking for the best and brightest.