07.07.20 Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes July 7, 2020 Exhausting Other Means Initiative: Chief Klett stated the reasonable and necessary standard established by the SMPD Response to Resistance Policy requires officers to articulate any level of force they use, which is why it is a higher standard than a force continuum. All SMPD officers receive training on rendering aid. In the event of injury from the use of force by police or others, SMPD policy requires the application of life saving measures to those who have been injured. Duty to Intervene Initiative: SMPD policy reference under 6.1 Response to Resistance and Aggression IX. Requirement to Stop and Report Excessive Use of Force: Any employee who observes another employee use excessive force against any person shall immediately intervene. Intervention includes any action that is reasonable, given the circumstances intended to stop the excessive force. The observing employee will notify a supervisor immediately and shall submit a memorandum within twenty four hours. Chief Klett stated the San Marcos Police Department general orders require immediate reporting of these types of incidents. This was codified in a recent policy update. The policy previously was specific to reporting another employee's use of excessive force. Chief Klett explained that officers have created an accountability standard that gives permission to "relieve" a fellow officer who may be losing composure to step away while another officer steps in and takes over, allowing a cool down period. This is the benefit of working in a department where officers are not a number, where relationships are built, and trust is maintained within and without the organization. Shooting at Moving Vehicles Initiative: SMPD policy reference under 6.1 Response to Resistance and Aggression IV. Procedures C. Deadly Force Restrictions: Officers shall not fire at a moving vehicle unless the continued operation of the vehicle presents an imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury to any person. Officers shall not voluntarily or recklessly place themselves in front of an oncoming vehicle where the need for deadly force is a likely outcome. Officers threatened by an oncoming vehicle shall make a reasonable effort to attempt to move out of its path, if possible, before resorting to discharging a firearm at it or any of its occupants. Chief Klett stated that shooting at a moving vehicle is extremely rare and gave City of San Marcos Page 6