Policing Group Urges Officers to Change Use of Physical Force on Streets

An influential coalition of law enforcement leaders is urging police departments across the United States to revise their strategies regarding the use of force. This initiative aims to enhance training and address the “consistent blind spots” which have led to civilian fatalities during police encounters.

Labeling the use of force as “a defining issue in policing today,” the Police Executive Research Forum has unveiled comprehensive new guidance that it believes can help mitigate the risk of deaths occurring from police restraint methods. This initiative was inspired in part by an ongoing investigation carried out by The Associated Press.

The AP, along with its reporting partners, created a database analyzing 1,000 deaths over a decade that were linked to officers employing techniques designed to manage individuals without causing lethal harm—similar methods that led to the death of George Floyd.

The guidelines issued by the research forum encompass numerous recommendations, including improved coordination with medical responders and a stronger emphasis on de-escalation tactics. They also highlight the importance of adhering to established safety protocols during every police encounter.

While the guidance applies broadly to various situations, special attention is given to incidents involving individuals experiencing medical, mental health, or substance use crises. The report aims to shift the narrative away from blaming individuals with mental health or addiction issues for their deaths, acknowledging that police responses can exacerbate already vulnerable situations.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, who assumed command of his department amid a wave of calls for reform after Floyd’s death in 2020, emphasized the need to treat affected individuals as patients rather than suspects. “This is not just about making it safer for a patient. It’s about increasing safety for everyone,” O’Hara remarked, indicating plans to convene his staff to discuss the implementation of these recommendations.

The fatalities documented in the AP’s investigation span a wide demographic, though Black individuals are considerably overrepresented. Many of these cases revealed a lack of training among officers, indicating either failure to adhere to recognized restraint guidelines or simple unawareness of the dangers involved.

The Police Executive Research Forum, comprised of police chiefs and administrators, has worked to create policy guidelines regarding the usage of Tasers and body cameras at the request of the Justice Department. While primarily representing larger city departments, the forum’s policies influence training standards across many agencies and have been referenced in federal investigations and court rulings.

In June, experts gathered through the research forum began developing recommendations in light of the findings from the AP-led investigation, which collaborated with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland and Arizona State University, as well as FRONTLINE (PBS).

While some states have introduced bans on chokeholds and various tactical methods since the incident involving Floyd, more comprehensive reforms have been met with significant resistance. A proposed federal package of reforms aimed at addressing these issues ultimately failed to reach President Biden.

“In these situations, police need to understand what they can do,” said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the research forum. He highlighted the need for clear guidelines, as accountability falls heavily on police when encounters go wrong.

The recent recommendations distributed to police leaders serve as foundational training materials in programs operated by the research forum.

This investigation highlighted the reality that in around 30% of the cases studied by the AP from 2012-2021, officers used force in an attempt to protect an individual. Moreover, many incidents involved individuals experiencing non-threatening medical emergencies. Physical confrontations often escalated due to misinterpretations of the individual’s behavior as defiance, thereby worsening the medical condition at hand.

In one tragic case highlighted by the investigation, officers and medics confronted a 23-year-old man suffering from a seizure. His movements were incorrectly perceived as resistance, leading to a fatal outcome. The specifics of this case were brought to light through body-camera video obtained by the AP, prompting legal action by the victim’s mother.

Individuals in such “medical behavior emergencies” face heightened risks when restrained by police, leading to calls for improved officer training in recognizing and addressing these scenarios appropriately.

Repeated commands for a person in distress to “calm down” frequently exacerbate the situation, according to the report, which advocates for coordinated responses from fire, dispatch, and medical teams to ensure all responders are aware of their roles.

The research forum reiterated the need to adhere to long-standing safety protocols regarding physical restraints. They specifically cautioned against prolonged face-down positioning, known as the prone position, which can inhibit lung and heart function.

The report highlighted that police often failed to roll individuals onto their sides after handcuffing them, despite repeated cries of, “I can’t breathe.” Emphasizing that lives could be saved through simple measures, the forum recommended rolling individuals onto their sides promptly and ensuring one officer monitors the individual’s health during restraint.

In examining the relationship between police and medical responders, the report stressed that police should never attempt to influence medical decisions, particularly regarding sedatives for individuals in distress. The data indicated that at least 94 people died after receiving sedatives while being restrained by police, with many cases arising from pressures placed on medical personnel to medicate individuals unnecessarily.

As some police departments move to restrict such requests, facilitating better collaboration is essential. Emergency medical staff must be empowered to make independent medical determinations, prioritizing patient health above all else.

Ultimately, the goal remains clear: to bridge the gap between law enforcement and medical responders, ensuring the health and safety of those in crisis situations are prioritized.

Source: Associated Press