ST. PAUL -- Today, Saint Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell announced the release of a draft use-of-force policy for the City of Saint Paul Police Department. Mayor Melvin Carter today offered the following statement in response to the draft policy:
“This draft policy is an important step forward to protect the sacred trust between community members and our police officers. I appreciate Chief Axtell’s openness to public engagement and encourage community members to provide feedback on this policy through the police department’s website. A use of force policy that reflects our values is critical to ensuring we can all work together to keep our neighborhoods safe, and build a city that works for all of us.”
Notable updates to the policy include:
- Replaces outdated use-of-force continuum by describing five levels of behavior, ranging from compliance to passive resistance to aggravated aggression, and clearly articulates acceptable response options to each.
- Emphasizes officer’s duty to de-escalate when practical, and more clearly defines an officer’s duty to intervene.
- Provides clearer guidance to officers on interacting with individuals experiencing crisis.
- Increases and types of encounters where medical professionals must be called, and articulates that medical help must be summoned as soon safely possible.
- Formally recognizes that every use of force is reviewed with increased reporting and supervisor oversight.
- Provides clear rules for electronic control devices (Tasers).
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