Other LanguagesAgency's use-of-force policy is consistent with the AGO model policy:
No
Why agency's use-of force policy departs from the AGO model policy:
Although we believe our policy is largely consistent with the AG model policy, we have made some departures due to the fact that the model policy contains sections that are not present in the relevant statutes related to use of force and de-escalation and also reformulates the statutory language in some areas to impose more stringent requirements on law enforcement than those mandated by statute. Although it is recognized that these sections are meant to provide guidance, our policy omits some of these sections and has modified others to reflect the actual language of the statutes and to ensure that the policy reflects that officers in the field are able to consider the totality of the facts and circumstances known to them when making decisions related to the use of force.
In regards to the section of our policy related to Rendering Aid and the Duty to Intervene and Report, we utilized language from the model policies adopted by the Criminal Justice Training Commission, which was the agency tasked by the legislature to create guidelines/model policies on those issues.
Finally, we omitted most of the sections related to select force tools and restraint devices as we have separate policies that address those items. Their use is subject to all requirements in this policy on use of force.
In regards to the section of our policy related to Rendering Aid and the Duty to Intervene and Report, we utilized language from the model policies adopted by the Criminal Justice Training Commission, which was the agency tasked by the legislature to create guidelines/model policies on those issues.
Finally, we omitted most of the sections related to select force tools and restraint devices as we have separate policies that address those items. Their use is subject to all requirements in this policy on use of force.
How agency's use-of-force policy is consistent with RCW 10.120.020:
Our policy is consistent with RCW 10.120.020 because it limits the use of physical force to situations where it is necessary to achieve one of the law enforcement objectives listed in the statute and requires officers to use reasonable care when using force. This includes using available and appropriate de-escalation tactics prior to using force, using the least amount of force that is necessary to overcome resistance, and terminating the force as soon as the necessity for the force ends. The policy limits the use of deadly force to circumstances when it is necessary to protect against an immediate threat of serious physical injury or death to the officer or another person and requires the use of available and appropriate less lethal alternatives prior to the use of deadly force when possible.
Date policy last updated: