Department members shall use only that force which is objectively reasonable. Unreasonable force is that force that is unnecessary or excessive given the totality of the circumstances presented to Department members involved in using force. Unreasonable force is prohibited. The use of unreasonable force will subject Department members to discipline and could result in criminal prosecution.
Any Department member witnessing unreasonable force shall intervene to prevent or stop the unreasonable force when safely able to do so and shall notify their immediate supervisor or a different supervisor if their immediate supervisor was involved in the force they are reporting. Department members should take into account the possibility that other members may have additional information regarding the threat posed by the suspect.
NOTE: The basis in determining whether force is “unreasonable” shall be consistent with the Supreme Court decision of Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989).