HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 Annual Use of Force Report 2020{00019236:1}
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 4/19/2021
Meeting Type: Work Session
Staff Contact/Dept.: Matt Neiwert/Police
Staff Phone No: 541-726-3729
Estimated Time: 45 Minutes
S P R I N G F I E L D
C I T Y C O U N C I L
Council Goals: Strengthen Public Safety
by Leveraging
Partnerships and
Resources
ITEM TITLE: ANNUAL USE OF FORCE REPORT 2020
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Provide feedback on Springfield Police Department 2020 Annual Use of Force
Analysis
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
The Springfield Police Department 2020 Use of Force Analysis is the first annual
report that provides a synopsis of the force used in the calendar year.
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Use of Force Report
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The Springfield Police Department implemented a new use of force analysis report
that provides a synopsis of the force used in the 2020 calendar year. The use of force
incidents analyzed are officer responses to calls with a display of force requiring a
supervisor’s review and report per the department’s Use of Force General Order,
1.5.1., which can be located on the City website at http://www.springfield-or.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2021/04/FINAL-use-of-force-policy.4.12.2021.pdf
The 2020 Use of Force Report was completed using the Springfield Police
Department’s use of force data in our Records Management System (RMS). The
Springfield Police Department’s sworn officers responded to 32,496 calls, resulting in
3,894 persons arrested, with 302 incidents in which force was used. The average
number of uses of force per officer was 5.3. The median number of uses of force per
officer was 2. It was determined that when comparing the volume of calls for service
and actual arrests made by the Springfield Police Department to the number of use of
force incidents, 7.75 percent of arrests required use of force and only .92 percent of
calls for service required use of force ~ less than 1%.
Beginning in 2021 the Force Review Committee will provide an additional level of
review and make recommendations for any needed change in policy, supervision,
training, and equipment, based upon their review of use of force reports. The
committee will also provide a description of actions being taken by Springfield Police
Department to reduce the need or perceived need to use force.
The Department is also looking at purchasing a more robust and efficient software
system to help track use of force incidents, identify trends, capture injuries, force
contacts points, and early intervention warnings.
The Department hopes that COVID-19 subsides enough in the coming year so that
training opportunities will increase. We also plan to implement Body Worn Cameras
in May 2021 and will analyze whether that has any impact use of force. We expect
that the use of Body Worn Cameras will result in a reduction in Use of Force as the
mere presence of a camera my deter combative/assaultive/resistive behavior by
suspects, resulting in a lesser need by Officers to use force in arrest situations.
2020 Annual
Use of Force Analysis
SPRINGFIELD POLICE
DEPARTMENT
This report prepared by:
Sergeant Michael Massey (Professional Standards)
Judy Kenney (Police Office Supervisor)
Attachment 1, Page 1 of 10
ATTACHMENT 1
2
Introduction
The Springfield Police Department implemented a new use of force analysis report that
provides a synopsis of the force used in the 2020 calendar year. The use of force incidents
analyzed are officer responses to calls with a display of force requiring a supervisor’s review and
report per the department’s Use of Force General Order, 1.5.1.
A review of incidents of force may reveal patterns or trends that could indicate needs or
modifications in training, equipment, and/or policy. The process of collecting and reviewing the
reports is also critical to this analysis. In 2021, the Springfield Police Department (SPD) plans to
research commercial off the shelf software that will help the department provide more in-
depth review and analysis in future years.
The Springfield Police Department used force in 302 incidents in 2020. Data was broken down
in the following categories:
Breakdown and comparison by gender, race, and age
Level of force used
Number of suspects armed with a weapon, and type of weapon
Injuries to any person including officers which required medical treatment.
Synopsis
The 2020 Use of Force Report was completed using the Springfield Police Department’s use of
force data in our Records Management System (RMS). The Springfield Police Department’s
sworn officers responded to 32,496 calls, resulting in 3,894 persons arrested, with 302 incidents
in which force was used. The average number of uses of force per officer was 5.3. The median
number of uses of force per officer was 2. It is important to note that the Department of Public
Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) and many agencies across the country do not include
“handgun displayed” as a formal use of force for reporting purposes; however, SPD does
include that as part of our use of force tracking. The display of a handgun is tracked as a use of
force as it demonstrates a form of de-escalation in a potential deadly force confrontation in
which this action often negates the need for a physical, hands on use of force by SPD Officers.
In 2020, the Springfield Police Department had 60 instances when a handgun was displayed
and was reported as the primary use of force to effect the arrest.
It was determined that when comparing the volume of calls for service and actual arrests made
by the Springfield Police Department to the number of use of force incidents, 7.75 percent of
arrests required use of force and only .92 percent of calls for service required use of force ~ less
than 1%.
Attachment 1, Page 2 of 10
3
Policy Review and Revisions
General Order 1.5.1 Use of Force is reviewed annually for accuracy to ensure department policy
aligns with current best practice and updated laws. The policy was updated March 26, 2020 to
include detention officers working in the Springfield Municipal Jail, adding a reference to the
Inter-agency Deadly Force Investigation Team (IDFIT), and an updated supervisory reporting
structure.
In 2020 the City settled an officer involved shooting lawsuit with the Estate of Stacy (Patrick)
Kenny. Part of that settlement included changes to General Order 1.5.1 Use of Force to
emphasize de-escalation and reformulate the Use of Force Committee. The General Order was
also revised to reflect the recent police reform legislation HB 4301.
Policy changes regarding Use of Force Committee include the formation of a Force Review
Committee, which will be appointed to review incidents when an officer’s use of force: (1)
involves the intentional discharge of a firearm at another person, (2) causes death or serious
physical injury by any means, (3) involves intermediate or serious force events in which a
suspect or officer suffers a physical injury requiring medical treatment from a licensed medical
provider,(4) involves any use of force referred by a supervisor for further investigation, or (5)
involves an unintentional discharge of a firearm causing death or physical injury.
The primary goals of the Committee are to thoroughly examine use of force incidents to
identify areas for improvement in training, tactics, equipment or policy changes that will better
prepare Department personnel for future use of force events and any reasonable alternatives
to the actions taken that could potentially eliminate or reduce the likelihood of a use of the
intermediate or greater level of force in the future.
In order to ensure all Officers are familiar with changes in the policy, it is mandatory that all
officers read the entire policy and acknowledge understanding. Further, shift commanders
utilize briefing/roll call training to go over the changes. Additionally, Use of Force instructors
incorporate the changes in upcoming officer training.
The Department responded to an unprecedented number of protests in 2020 and the City
commissioned an independent review of the demonstration on July 29, 2020. That report
included several recommendations specific to use of force and those recommendations along
with those in the the Kenny independent incident review will be evaluated and studied in the
coming year.
Attachment 1, Page 3 of 10
4
Breakdown and Comparison by Gender, Race and Age
There were 302 total incidents of use of force; 74% of use of force incidents involved male
subjects compared to 26% female subjects.
Gender 2020
Male 228 75%
Female 74 25%
Total 302 100%
During 2020, 94% of use of force incidents involving persons identifying as White, 2% involving
Hispanic, 4% involving Black, and 1% involving Native American. The majority of subjects
involved in a use of force incident were between the ages of 21-30 years.
Race 2020
Native American 2 1%
Black 13 4%
Hispanic 5 2%
White 282 94%
Total 302 100%
Age 2020
17 and Younger 19 6%
18 - 20 18 6%
21 - 30 107 36%
31 - 40 83 27%
41 - 50 44 15%
51 - 55 12 4%
56 and Older 19 6%
Total 302 100%
Attachment 1, Page 4 of 10
5
Suspects Armed During Arrests
Of the 302 incidents of force, 24 arrests involved subjects who were armed with a deadly
weapon during their encounter with officers.
Type of Weapon 2020
Lethal Cutting Instrument 15
Handgun / Firearm
Handgun Aggressive
8
Crowbar 1
Total 24
Level of Force Used
The level of force used by officers was broken down into 16 different types, some of which are
seldom utilized. Display of a weapon is defined as the pointing or otherwise plain-view display of
an officer’s firearm or less lethal weapon at a person to gain compliance or in reasonable
anticipation of use of force.
Level of Force Used 2020
Arm Bar
4 1%
Bent Wrist Lock 2 .5%
Escort Hold 38 13%
Firearm Discharged 1 .5%
Firearm Displayed 60 20%
Focused Blows 23 8%
Hair Hold 12 4%
K9 Bite 14 5%
K9 Deploy 13 4%
K9 Presence 3 1%
Leg Sweep 24 8%
Palm Heel Strike 1 .5%
Push / Shove 89 29%
Taser Deployed 7 2%
Taser Displayed 10 3%
Vascular Neck
Restraint
1 .5%
TOTAL 302 100%
Attachment 1, Page 5 of 10
6
Total Arrests Versus Total Use of Force Incidents
During 2020, officers used force 7.75% of the time when making an arrest.
Percentage of Arrests Requiring Use of Force
Arrested Subjects vs. Use of Force 2020
Persons Arrested
Use of Force Incidents
3,895
302
Total Percentage 7.75%
Total Calls for Service Versus Total Use of Force Incidents
During 2020, officers responded to 32,301 calls for service wherein 302 incidents resulted in use
of force = less than 1% of citizen contacts involved force by officers.
Percentage of Calls for Service Requiring Use of Force
Calls for Service vs. Incidents 2020
Calls for Service
Use of Force Incidents
32,301
302
Total Percentage 0.93%
Use of Force Training
Continuing education for all Springfield Police sworn personnel on use of force occurs multiple
times each year. DPSST requires eight hours of ongoing Firearms/Use of Force training each
year. Also, all sworn personnel receive various use of force instruction during basic police
training including case law, defensive tactics, baton, oleoresin capsicum spray (OC),
handcuffing, firearms, less lethal, MILO, and more. In addition, officers receive 40 hours of
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training with continuing education opportunities after the initial
course. This training is done in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness
(NAMI) and utilizes local resources and experts to include CAHOOTS.
Attachment 1, Page 6 of 10
7
Due to COVID our ability to provide training was negatively impacted; however, we were able to
provide the following use of force related training (beyond DPSST requirements):
3 hours Crowd Control (Use of Force)
4 hours Firearms
2 hours De-Escalation and Minimizing Use of Force
1 hours Suspects in Medical Distress
The Department continually looks for balance between using de-escalation techniques, physical
force, and control devices. Officers received situational scenario training during use of force in-
service training in 2020. Tactics involving distance, communication, approach, resources, and
reasonable force were all included in the trainings. These trainings provided officers tools to deal
with potential hostile situations or events. Use of force training will continue to emphasize de‐
escalation techniques, control holds, proper use of control devices, and de-escalation tactics.
Reporting
In accordance with SPD Policy, any use of force by a member of this department shall be
documented promptly, completely and accurately in an appropriate report, depending on the
nature of the incident. The officer should articulate the factors perceived and why he/she
believed the use of force was reasonable under the circumstances. To collect data for purposes
of training, resource allocation, analysis and related purposes, the Professional Standards and
Training office will review each incident involving use of force.
Beginning in 2021 the Force Review Committee will provide an additional level of review and
make recommendations for any needed change in policy, supervision, training, and equipment,
based upon their review of use of force reports. The committee will also provide a description
of actions being taken by Springfield Police Department to reduce the need or perceived need
to use force.
The Department is also looking at purchasing a more robust and efficient software system to
help track use of force incidents, identify trends, capture injuries, force contacts points, and
early intervention warnings.
Fatality
There was one use of force incident that resulted in a fatality when an officer discharged his
weapon. Pursuant to an IDFIT investigation, Lane County District Attorney Patty Perlow ruled
that the shooting was a lawful use of force by the Officer.
Attachment 1, Page 7 of 10
8
Injuries
Most use of force incidents were resolved with no injury to an officer or the other person. Of the
302 use of force incidents, 27 resulted in injury to the suspect that required some sort of
medical treatment or evaluation on scene by EMS/medic, without transportation to hospital for
treatment by physician.
Nature of Injury to Other Person Type of Force Used
Broken Bone(s) K9
Broken Bone(s) Focused Blows
Fatal Firearm Discharged
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
K9 Bite K9
Laceration Focused Blows
Laceration K9 Deploy
Laceration Push/Shove
Laceration Taser Deployed
Laceration Push/Shove
Laceration Focused Blows
Laceration Focused Blows
Laceration Focused Blows
Pain but no diagnosed injury Push/Shove
Pain but no diagnosed injury Focused Blows
Bruising & Swelling Taser Deployed
Unconsciousness Vascular Neck Restraint
Attachment 1, Page 8 of 10
9
Officer Injury
During 2020, there were 8 injuries to officers during the course of an arrest or encounter,
resulting in the need for medical treatment.
Nature of Injury to Officer Type of Force Used
Cut on elbow & hand; Blood Exposure Focused Blows
Pain and soreness in hand Focused Blows
Knife puncture wound to hand; blood exposure Leg Sweep
Suspect bit officer Taser Deployed
Blood exposure Firearm Discharged
Cut on arm and blood exposure Push/Shove
Injury to hand, laceration Focused Blows
Injury to left calf Push/Shove
Trends and patterns for these incidents are:
Calls resulting in Assault on a Police Officer stemmed from both dispatched calls for
service and officer initiated contacts or investigations.
Twelve incidents involved the subject punching or kicking at the officer.
Eight incidents required medical treatment for the officer as a result of injury.
Most incidents mentioned above occurred during a stop or an arrest of a subject. Prior to
the detention or stop, most of the subjects displayed some type of fight or flight behavior.
Continued defensive tactics training, CIT training, and de-escalation training in multiple
officer arrests and detentions could help officers prepare for these cases.
Future Use of Force Analysis reports will assist in seeing trends and patterns
Conclusion and Recommendations
Vesting officers with the authority to use reasonable force and to protect the public welfare
requires monitoring, evaluation, and a careful balancing of all interests.
The Department hopes that COVID-19 subsides enough in the coming year so that training
opportunities will increase. We also plan to implement Body Worn Cameras in 2021 and will
analyze whether that has any impact use of force. We expect that the use of Body Worn
Cameras will result in a reduction in Use of Force as the mere presence of a camera my deter
combative/assaultive/resistive behavior by suspects, resulting in a lesser need by Officers to
use force in arrest situations.
Attachment 1, Page 9 of 10
10
The Springfield Police Department’s recommendations with regard to use of force for the
coming year are to evaluate the recommendations made in the Thurston Demonstration and
Kenny independent incident reviews. We also plan to investigate commercial software to help
the Department track and analyze use of force and further refine this report based on the City
Council direction and implement the new Use of Force Policy.
Attachment 1, Page 10 of 10