Use of Force Policy
August 9, 2018

Denver Police Department

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PUBLIC SAFETY
Slide 1 of 15

Timeline

Shooting at
Moving
Vehicles
• June, 2015

Decision
Making
Model and
De-escalation
• August, 2016

Initial Draft
Policy

Public
Meetings

• January, 2017

& Online
Feedback
• Jan/Feb, 2017

Community
Committee
Formed
• April, 2017

Policy
Finalized
Transitioning
to Training
• August, 2018

Slide 2 of 15

 Policy Goals
• A clearly stated philosophy
• Guidelines that increase accountability
• A policy that goes beyond the Graham v. Conner ruling.
“Just because an officer can use force, does not mean an
officer should use force”
• Utilizes de-escalation principles to increase public and
officer safety

Slide 3 of 15

 Participants and Stakeholders
• Community Committee
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•
•
•

Denver Justice Project
ACLU
Ministerial Alliance
Together Colorado
Colorado Latino Forum
Denver City Council and City Attorney’s Office
And other valued stakeholders

DPD Planning, Research and Support Section
DPD Training Division
Denver Police Organizations
DPD Senior Command Staff

Slide 4 of 15

 Policy Comparisons

Based on PERF Best Practices for Use of Force Policies
Goes beyond
Critical
Graham v.
DecisionDe-escalation Making Model
Sanctity of life
Connor

Denver

IACP Policy
Austin
Boston
Charleston (SC)
Char-Meck (NC)
Houston
Kansas City (KS)
Las Vegas
Louisville
Philadelphia
Portland
San Diego
Seattle

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X

X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X

Duty to
Intervene

Duty to
render first
aid

Shooting at
vehicles

X

X

X

X
X
X
X
X

X
X
Request aid
X
Request aid
X
X

X

Prohibit
Reviewed by
deadly force
specially
when only a
trained
danger to self personnel

X
X

X
X
X
X

X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

X
X

X
X

X

X

*outside agency policies were reviewed in 10/2016

Slide 5 of 15

  

Denver Police Department

Decision Making Model

lEtollerct Information

REVIEW
and reassess

  
 

  

AUTHORITY
REASONABLE
NEG ESSARY

?l

department
an avail?le
options

 
    

 

COLLECT INFORIIATIOH:

. When possible. slow the situation with a calm. centered, respectful. and con?dent
presence. Gather any and all information within practical limitations.
Con?rm that police service is warranted and within the control and ability of
department personnel to address.
ASSESS THE SITUATION. THREATS. AND RISKS:

Use available resources to make the immediate area safe or provide assistance as

needed. Look for things that may explain the situation. If time permits. attempt to identifyr

the root cause and avoid decisions based on inadequate information. Avoid iudgmental
or damaging statements. Assess the and benefits of taking a police action.

CONSIDER DEPARTMENT AND AVAILABLE OPTIONS:

Develop options based on available Information, ethics, values, and policy. Examine the
feasibility, effectiveness, and consequence of each action and evaluate as necessary.
TAKE ACTION:
.- From the identi?ed options, apply the most reasonable and viable course of action.
Continually assess effectiveness. and when possible. develop contingencies.

The sanctity of human life is paramount.
7 REVIEW AND REASSESS:
5. Assess the outcome and consider whether the issue was addressed andlor
vr corrected. If not, start over and consider the following:
Is new information available?
Was the initial assessment accurate andi'or was information missing?
Is there a more appropriate and reasonable option?

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Slide 6 of 15

 

Select Examples of Community
Committee Inclusions
Over 100 committee recommendations adopted or
partially adopted in the Use of Force policy and associated
policies.

Slide 7 of 15

 Purpose 105.01 (1):
The Denver Police Department’s objective is to deliver high quality
public safety services. The department recognizes the value and
sanctity of all human life and is committed to respecting and protecting
the dignity, safety, and civil rights of community members, including the
right to be free from inappropriate force.
Officers may, at times, be required to make forcible arrests, defend
themselves or others, and overcome resistance. The department’s goal
for the protection of both officers and the community is that officers
should attempt to use non-force alternatives, including de-escalation,
when time and circumstances permit. When needed, officers must use
only the amount of force reasonable and necessary under the totality of
the circumstances to safely accomplish a lawful purpose.
White text – Committee Language
Grey text – Edits by Denver Police Department

Slide 8 of 15

 Reasonable and Necessary
Committee Recommendation:
“The recommended use of declaratory
statements in place of questions for the
definition of “reasonable and necessary.”

Policy:
Department personnel are guided by the DPD Decision
Making Model referenced in OMS 101.01 and must
ensure that any force they use is reasonable and
necessary under the totality of the circumstances. The
following definitions apply specifically to the use of force
policy, see OMS 101.01 for a full description:
Authority

The legal authority or mandate to act.

Reasonable Actions should be generally consistent with
what a trained officer would do under similar
circumstances.
Necessary The intended action is required based on
the circumstances and will only consist of the amount
of force needed to safety accomplish a lawful purpose.

Slide 9 of 15

 Type vs. Amount of Force
Committee Recommendation:
“The recommendation that the standard
address the degree of force by authorizing,
“only the amount of Force necessary to safely
accomplish a legitimate law enforcement
objective.”

Policy:
The policy has been adjusted to reflect the following:
“When needed, officers must use only the amount of
force reasonable and necessary under the totality of
circumstances to safely accomplish a lawful purpose.”
See full list of force and control options and factors to
consider for their use in OMS 105.02(5)
Further, OMS 105.02(1) specifies that:
“When applying force and control options, the initial
application, and each subsequent application, must be
individually reasonable and necessary under the totality
of circumstances.“

Slide 10 of 15

 Changes Consistent with Training:
OMS 105.02(3)e.1 - Force and Control Options
The RIPPTM.leg restraint device is not to be attached to an arrestee’s handcuffs
and will be utilized and applied in accordance with the Arrest Control Manual.
OMS 105.04(4)e. – Shooting By/And or of Police Officers
Assign a supervisory officer to sequester and transport the involved officer to
headquarters and remain with him/her until relieved. Officers and supervisors
will not review the officer’s BWC video.

Slide 11 of 15

 Training

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Slide 11 of 15

Training - 2018
• All officers will receive 8 hours of training prior to
implementation of the policy
• Sergeants will receive an additional 4 hours of
training to address investigative procedures.
• Training will be conducted in a phased approach for
each district and division

Slide 12 of 15

 Training - 2019
• A more in-depth training will occur utilizing DPD’s
sophisticated VirTra video/scenario based simulator.
• Customized video simulations will be developed in
conjunction with the Police Academy, Internal Affairs,
and the City Attorney’s Office to provide realistic and
relevant immersive training.

Slide 14 of 15

  DENVER

PUBLIC SAFETY

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