Metro Las Vegas Changing Officers’ Use-of-Force Policy www.privateofficer.com
LAS VEGAS NV July 10 2012 – Metro Police officers are being trained in new use-of-force policies to cut down on fatal encounters with the public, Sheriff Doug Gillespie said.
During a Monday morning briefing, Gillespie said about 2,700 police and corrections officers — about 99 percent of the force — took part in a five-week course.
The training focused on preserving life and minimal force, such as issuing more warnings before a situation becomes dangerous.
The training also taught how to use weapons such as pepper spray and batons.
A change being implemented is the use of stun guns. Gillespie said that officers will not be permitted to use their stun gun unless someone is trying to attack them with their body or weapon.
“The department respects and values every human life and the application of deadly force is a measure to be employed in the most extreme circumstances,” he said.
In the past, an officer could use force if a person was making verbal threats, such as during a traffic stop. With the new policy, an officer may only use force if the person poses a physical threat to themselves, an officer or someone else.
Source:KLAS
