Police Commission Creates, Revises Policies

By Andrew Gorosko

In its continuing review of police department policies and procedures, the Police Commission has created some new policies, as well as revised some existing policies, to deal with changing law enforcement situations.

The ongoing policy project is leading up to the police department seeking formal accreditation from a police accreditation organization, according to Police Commission Chairman James Reilly.

Such accreditation requires that the police department have a thorough and timely set of policies and procedures.

Becoming accredited by the sanctioning Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc, would provide the police department with certain benefits. If the department met relevant standards, an accreditation would provide it with certain legal and insurance-related advantages.

The accreditation commission is an independent accrediting authority sponsored by four major law enforcement membership organizations. Accreditation is a lengthy process that would take the police department several years to achieve.

At its most recent meeting on April 1, Police Commission members approved various rule changes, which either create new policies and procedures, or revise existing policies and procedures to meet changing circumstances.

At that session, the commission revised the policy on the investigation of citizen complaints against police department employees. The panel also created new policies on the investigation of employee misconduct and on the disciplinary process.

Commission members also revised policies concerning police sidearms, accessories, and equipment.

Also, Police Commission members made numerous revisions the police department’s policy on the police’s use of force, creating a detailed document on the topic.

Commission members revised existing policies on weaponry, police devices, and the use of the police sidearm locker.

The panel also made some changes to the police policy on the use of pepper spray, a chemical irritant that police use to neutralize people, rather than using more forceful means of control.

The Police Commission also endorsed a new policy on the use of tasers. Tasers are electric stun guns that physically extend electrical lines to remotely stun violent persons to neutralize them, rather than using more forceful means of control.

The commission also approved new policies concerning the use of handcuffs and firearms qualification training.

Also, the commission approved a new policy that addresses steps that police would take in response to a person who is actively shooting a firearm.

Endorsing those new and revised police policies were Mr Reilly and commission members Robert Connor, Richard Simon, and Gerald Finnegan.