What's the protocol? II

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Link to the Police Department General Orders

Submitted by Mike on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 9:10am.

Use of force is General Order 1.3.

If wildleaf's analysis and report of the TESC incident is accurate, then it appears that the crowd was engaging in "passive resistant" behavior per 1.3.1 I. L.

OPD is reported to have arrived, and applied "compliance controls" (pepper spray per 1.3.1 III. C.) and "defensive tactics" (impact weapons (read batons) per 1.3.1 III. D.)

If the crowd was engaging in behavior that was "passively resistant" per the General order definition: behavior that is non-compliant to lawful commands, but that is not physically aggressive or assaultive, then the use of force that is called for is "contact controls" (1.3.1 I. Q.) "these controls capitalize on light physical contact to gain control and cooperation."

"defensive tactics" (1.3.1 I. S.) are to be employed with subjects who display assaultive behavior.

Per the police general orders, it seems to me if the OPD officers used batons against any person who was not displaying assaultive behavior, the officer violated the Department's general orders.

I know there are folks in the community who are more familiar with the Department's general orders, but I will respond to Rick's request with this quick analysis and search of the department's general orders.

Thanks for the link.

Submitted by Rick on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 10:15am.

Here's that whole section:

III. Use of force model
The use of force model consists of a range of response options (including enforcement electives) that serve as the conceptual framework for the force management system [see Fig. A]. The model is dynamic in nature, recognizing that each situation may require a different path along this “ladder of force.” Reasonable use of force includes: the ability to start at any level in the model, based on threat assessment; the ability to move in either direction in the model as a situation evolves; and the ability to bypass levels, if circumstances warrant. The key points in the use of force model are as follows:
A. Cooperative controls - Cooperative controls include command presence (color of authority), dialogue/reasoning, verbal direction or non-verbal direction (e.g., patrol vehicle emergency lights/siren).
B. Contact controls - Contact controls include guiding, escorting and other lightly physical means of gaining compliance.
C. Compliance controls - Compliance controls include use of personal weapons to affect pain compliance, hair controls, pressure point and counter-joint techniques, oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray and conducted energy weapons.
D. Defensive tactics - Defensive tactics include the use of impact weapons, chemical agents, attack defense (i.e., use of personal weapons to punch/kick) and less lethal weaponry aimed at primary or secondary targets [see 1.3.3(III.A.1-2)].
E. Deadly force - Deadly force includes the use of firearms and less lethal weapons intentionally aimed at tertiary targets [see 1.3.3(III.A.3)].

According to the definitions above, the officers went directly to (C) and (D), without attempting (A) or (B), "based on threat assessment."

It seems like that is the policy of other major west-coast cities to begin with (A) and move methodically upwards in use of force. Why isn't that the policy here?

> It's OK to be nice. <
enpen's social contract

Clearly not

Submitted by JT on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 10:45am.

passive resistant

Also, as S6 and TFI have accurately stated, there is no requirement to go up the ladder of force one step at a time. Jumping one, two, or all steps is not only reasonable, it is necessary frequently.

Rick say's "It seems like that is the policy of other major west-coast cities to begin with (A) and move methodically upwards in use of force."

That is an incorrect statement. The order of the application in a force model is similar industry wide, but I have yet to see a policy that requires touching all the levels as you move up.

No matter if the science is all phony, there are collateral environmental benefits. Climate change provides the greatest chance to bring about justice and equality in the world ever.Christine Stewart (the real basis for the AGW scare)

moving methodically

Submitted by Mike on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 8:44am.

and touching all the levels are not necessarily the same thing.

Also, as a matter of disclosure, when you post on police matters, you should identify yourself as a member of local PD. Your position on any of these discussions is far from neutral because your paycheck arrives courtesy of the tax payer who is the one that should be reviewing the general orders and police conduct to determine if a law enforcement agency is living up to citizen expectations and whether the general orders describe our expectations accurately.

If there is question about the ability of local law enforcement agencies to see their mission clearly when the review starts to hit close to home, I will refer you to the David and Crystal Brame case up the road in Tacoma. Police cannot police themselves as that case showed so clearly.

Clearly, we cannot leave the police in charge of minding their own shop. The thin blue line lives on at some cost to the general public.

It is fairly well known

Submitted by security_six on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 8:15pm.

that JT is a cop. However I would say that unless he specifically was involved in an action, he is just another person with an uncommon view into how certain things work.

I am associated with an entity that is large in Olympia, but I do not disclose it, because my views are not always theirs, and I don't want people wrapping me up with the folks who write my paycheck. A couple of the docents know what I am talking about and have accepted my silence. I think JT should be given the same leeway.

If he was out there spraying protesters, then some disclosure is order, but he probably would be barred by the OPD from discussing the matter.

Beyond that, he is just another person here like you or me. Badge and gun don't make any difference.

Ultimately I would think we all have the same footing on olyblog.

"Safety is a tyrant's tool; no one can be against safety."--Unknown

Definitely not neutral,

Submitted by JT on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 8:22pm.

any more than you are neutral Mike.

So given the Brame case, all police agencies are screwed up right? Paint them all with a broad brush huh?

As far as me being a cop, that is no secret. I just don't need people, (read you Mike) referring to my old screen name, as it might cause heartburn with the Chief.

I don't think anyone should be forced to disclose their job

Submitted by Norm on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 8:44pm.

I'd like to see a trascript of the communications

Submitted by Guglielmo on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 10:53am.

taking place that night.

Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist.! --John Maynard Keynes

Of course, any of us

Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 11:34am.

Of course, any of us (including myself!) can pick out parts of any guidlines or rules for our purposes. With that said; I believe that the first paragraph of "III. Use of force model" is very instructive. It gives police officers the flexibility in the use of force in differing situations. The italics are mine.

"III. Use of force model The use of force model consists of a range of response options (including enforcement electives) that serve as the conceptual framework for the force management system [see Fig. A]. The model is dynamic in nature, recognizing that each situation may require a different path along this “ladder of force.” Reasonable use of force includes: the ability to start at any level in the model, based on threat assessment; the ability to move in either direction in the model as a situation evolves; and the ability to bypass levels, if circumstances warrant. The key points in the use of force model are as follows:..."

Also, in many situations, specific conduct by one, two, or three individuals can present one level of threat but the same conduct by hundreds can present a far different threat. The number of officers and equipment present can also affect what level of force officers or commanders would choose. The real decisions on reasonable use of force must always remain with the officers or police commanders on the scene.

Jeff Brigham

"America’s greatest chapter is still to be written, for the best is yet to come." President Ronald Reagan

Are you all having problems accessing it?

Submitted by wildleaf on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 10:25pm.

What is the deal? I can't access any of it.

The Black Car Project http://autovoid.blogspot.com

It's a pdf page

Submitted by Mike on Mon, 02/25/2008 - 8:48am.

you may need to download and install adobe reader to be able to access.

Here is the link

http://www.olympiawa.gov/documents/OPDWebManual/Welcome%20Page.pdf

Here is a link to download adobe reader:

http://www.adobe.com/products/reader/

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