HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-04; Campaign Zero Eight Can't Wait Program; Gallucci, NeilEight Can't Wait Program
June 4, 2020
Page 2
4. Exhaust all other means before shooting.
Carlsbad PD policy only permits the use of any deadly force when 1) an officer reasonably
believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to protect the officer or another from a threat
of imminent death or serious bodily injury, or 2) to stop a fleeing subject when the officer has
probable cause to believe that the person has committed, or intends to commit, a felony
involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious bodily injury or death, and
the officer reasonably believes that there is an imminent risk of serious bodily injury
or death to any other person if the subject is not immediately apprehended. Under
such circumstances, a verbal warning should precede the use of deadly force, where
feasible.
5. Department shall require officers to intervene in the event of excessive force.
Carlsbad PD policy expressly requires officers to intervene and stop excessive force if they
observe it occurring. Policy also requires every officer to report any ex,cessive force to a
supervisor.
6. Ban shooting at vehicles.
Carlsbad PD policy expressly prohibits shooting at vehicles except in extreme circumstances.
PD policy acknowledges that shooting at or from a moving vehicle is rarely effective. Officers
. are required to move out of the path of an approaching vehicle instead of discharging their
firearm at the vehicle or any of its occupants. Officers may only discharge a firearm at a moving
vehicle or its occupants when the officer reasonably believes there are no other reasonable
means available to avert the threat of the vehicle, or if deadly force other than the vehicle is
directed at the officer or others, such as if the occupants of the vehicle were shooting at the
officer or another person. Officers are expressly prohibited from shooting at any part of a
vehicle in an attempt to disable the vehicle.
7. Require use of force continuum.
Carlsbad PD policy expressly provides that officers shall use, only that amount of force that
reasonably appears necessary given the facts and circumstances perceived by the officer at the
time of the event, and only to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose. This policy
provides that officers may only escalate the use of force if that escalation is reasonable in light
of the officers' perceptions of the continuum of risk presented to an officer or someone the
officer is protecting.
8. Require comprehensive reporting of use of force incidents.
Carlsbad PD policy requires that all uses of force be reported promptly, accurately, and
completely. Nearly all incidents of use of force require that the officer immediately notify a
Eight Can't Wait Program
June 4, 2020
Page 3
supervisor of the use of force (with the exception of an incident without injury or without the
use of any weapon). The supervisor is required to respond to the incident and conduct an
investigation to include capturing evidence, interviewing witnesses, interviewing the subject
who the force was used upon, reviewing body worn camera if appropriate, and the supervisor
must prepare a report detailing their investigation. Both the officer and supervisors' reports
and investigations are then reviewed by the respective lieutenant and captain to ensure
compliance with department policy, applicable law, to identify training issues or opportunities,
and to identify any trends involving the use of force.
Carlsbad PD is a leader in the county and state with respect to de-escalation and crisis
management.
In addition to the de-escalation training that was discussed earlier, Carlsbad PD also has 13
officers that have been specially trained as Crisis/Hostage Negotiators who may be deployed as
needed to resolve incidents peacefully. The PD also has a cadre of seven specially trained
Tactical Communications Instructors who provide POST required tactical communications
training to all officers.
· In 2019, Carlsbad PD lead a countywide initiative to develop best practices for crisis
management with the intent to reduce the use of force, specifically officer involved shootings.
The PD brought together experts from all departments in the county, including the District
Attorney's Office, and the Carlsbad City Attorney's Office. Carlsbad PD representatives served
as chairpersons for the three sub-committees focused on pre-engagement decision making, de-
escalation methods and decision making, and dis-engagement or factors where police 'walking
away' serves the public's best interest. The chairpersons from Carlsbad PD represented our
department firearms training division, defensive tactics training division, and our field training
division.
This committee prepared a tri-fold resource for all police officers to be used by officers when
handling crisis events, which remind officers of the best-practices in preventing use of force and
· officer involved shootings. The committee also proposed a countywide crisis management
philosophy that focuses on de-escalation and peaceful resolutions to incidents.
As a result, in April, a Carlsbad PD representative was invited to lead a discussion with the SD
County Police Chiefs and Sheriff regarding the adoption countywide of these documents at the
annual conference. Unfortunately, this conference was cancelled due to COVID19.
Additionally, as evidence of the proactive work in this area by the Carlsbad PD, a PD
representative was invited to present at the California Crisis Intervention Training Conference,
which was also cancelled due to COVID19.
Notwithstanding the delay in countywide adoption of the crisis management best practices,
Carlsbad PD already has implemented the best practices into department training, field training
of new officers, and supervisor expectations regarding supervising crisis incidents.
Eight Can't Wait Program
June 4, 2020
Page 4
Cc: Celia Brewer, City Attorney
. Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director