Use of Force recommendations

The Use of Force category includes 21 recommendations. 13 recommendation (62 percent) have been audited and completed, while the remaining 8 recommendations (38 percent) are covered by consent decrees and monitored by experts under federal court oversight.

	Not covered by Consent Decree/subject to audit by OCLEM.
	Covered by Consent Decree and subject to monitoring by federal court appointed experts.
	Completed, audited, and presented to the Board.

Recommendation	Master List Number	Status
Update, educate and train on a new use of force policy as soon as possible.	195
The use of force policy for custodial staffing is being updated. Once a final policy is adopted, an eight‐hour training course will be constructed to ensure that management, supervisors, and all staff possesses a clear understanding of the policy and its practical application.	466
Implement a revised use of force policy that includes specific information on force prevention, and de‐escalation techniques in order to decrease the number of incidents requiring the use of force. The policy will include investigative independence, principals, safety, prevention, accountability, reporting obligations, responsibilities, review requirements, analysis and audits.	467
Finalize revised use of force policy to include specific information on force prevention and de‐escalation techniques in order to decrease the number of incidents requiring the use of force.	468
Create levels of use of force categories in order to determine the magnitude of investigative response and notification. These categories will encompass a wide range of levels from minor restraints to any force resulting in injury.	469
Increase investigation, specialized response, oversight, review and evaluation, compliance and analysis of use of force incidents.	470
In addition to the standard use of force investigation, a specialized on‐call team will be created to respond to categories of use of force incidents to ensure the immediate and specialized investigation of significant incidents. This team will have the authority to take control and assume full responsibility for the investigation.	471
Establish a custody review committee that will evaluate the force applied within custody facilities, the quality of the investigation and the effectiveness of the supervision.	472
Members of the panel shall include command level personnel, representatives from medical and/or mental health (when applicable), a member of the independent Civilian Oversight Commission and additional support personnel.	473
The supervisor completing the standard investigation and the approving watch commander will be required to attend to answer questions and justify their recommendations regarding the incident.	474
The committee will review the force incident including the events that precipitated, any prevention or de‐escalation efforts as well as the quality of the force review.	475
A report will be generated that includes their findings and recommendations. If the findings include any policy or other violations, it will be referred for further follow‐up. Exemplary performance or conduct shall also be noted.	476
In instances of use of force there will be an evaluation of an individual’s performance that includes the strategies or tactics used leading up to, during and following a use of force incident. The evaluation will be a review of the performance to standards associated with the actions.	477
A compliance system will be implemented that tracks the status of all investigations, reviews and evaluates all use of force incidents and allegations of force to ensure that investigations and reviews are completed appropriately and timely.	478
An electronic tracking system will be implemented to aid in timely completion of all stages of the process.	479
All significant use of force incidents will be reviewed by the Jail Crimes Unit to determine if the force used was lawful.	480
Ensure a documented medical assessment of each inmate upon who force is used is completed as soon as practical after the force was utilized.	481
Develop a policy for a team consisting of members with specialized skills and training. This team will respond and attempt to resolve the matter when the interaction involves an inmate with mental health issues. This team will maintain confidentiality and work in conjunction with medical and mental health professionals to potentially defuse the incident prior to any action.	482
Increase transparency of the Use of Force policy.	483
Publish finalized revised use of force policy to ensure the public has access to the standards and procedures for the use of force in custody facilities.	484
Create levels of use of force categories in order to determine the magnitude of investigative response and notification. These categories will encompass a wide range of levels from minor restraints to any force resulting in injury.	487