Use_of_Force_Review_Boards

Policy 301CSU Police Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/14, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentUse of Force Review Boards - 1Use of Force Review Boards 301.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy establishes a process for the California State University Police Department to review the use of force by its employees. This review process shall be in addition to any other review or investigation that may be conducted by any outside or multi-agency entity having jurisdiction over the investigation or evaluation of the use of deadly force. 301.2 POLICY The California State University Police Department will objectively evaluate the use of force by its members to ensure that their authority is used lawfully, appropriately and is consistent with training and policy. 301.3 REMOVAL FROM LINE DUTY ASSIGNMENT Generally, whenever an employee’s actions or use of force in an official capacity, or while using department equipment, results in death or very serious injury to another, that employee will be placed in a temporary administrative assignment pending an administrative review. The Chief of Police may exercise discretion and choose not to place an employee in an administrative assignment in any case. 301.4 REVIEW BOARD The Use of Force Review Board will be convened when it is determined to be a Police Involved Fatal or Serious Injury Incidents. While the primary purpose of the Use of Force Review Board is to review Police Involved Fatal or Serious Injury Incidents, the Chief of Police may request the Use of Force Review Board to investigate the circumstances surrounding any Use of Force Incident as defined in the Use of Force policy. The Chief of Police will request to convene the Use of Force Review Board as necessary. The Chief of Police of the affected campus will also ensure that all relevant reports, documents and materials are available for consideration and review by the Use of Force Review Board. 301.4.1 COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD The Use of Force Review Board members will be: •The Second Chair of the Council of Chiefs will serve as the Chair (Should the campus of the Second Chair be the involved campus, one of the remaining chairs from the Council of Chiefs will serve as Chair); and •Two Chiefs of Police from other campuses. CSU Police Department Policy Manual Use of Force Review Boards Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/02/14, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentUse of Force Review Boards - 2301.4.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD The Use of Force Review Board is empowered to conduct an administrative review and inquiry into the circumstances of an Investigation of Fatal or Serious Injury Incidents. The board does not have the authority to recommend discipline. The review shall be based upon those facts which were reasonably believed or known by the officer at the time of the incident, applying any legal requirements, department policies, procedures and approved training to those facts. Facts later discovered but unknown to the officer at the time shall neither justify nor call into question an officer’s decision regarding the use of force. The board shall make one of the following recommended findings: (a)The employee’s actions were within department policy and procedure. (b)The employee’s actions were in violation of department policy and procedure. A recommended finding or findings requires a majority vote of the board as to each finding. The board may also recommend additional investigations or reviews, such as disciplinary investigations, training reviews to consider whether training should be developed or revised, and policy reviews, as may be appropriate. The board chairperson will submit the written recommendation to the Chief of Police of the involved campus. The Chief of Police shall review the recommendation, make a final determination as to whether the employee’s actions were within policy and procedure and will determine whether any additional actions, investigations or reviews are appropriate. If the Chief of Police concludes that discipline should be considered, a disciplinary process will be initiated in accordance with the Department’s Personnel Complaint Policy At the conclusion of any additional reviews, copies of all relevant reports and information will be filed with the Chief of Police.