Policy Text
Page 1 of 7 – General Order 1-18 (11/20/2023 )
USE OF FORCE REVIEW BOARD (UFRB)
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: USE OF FORCE REVIEW BOARD (UFRB)
Chapter
1 Number
18 # Pages
7
References:
CALEA: 4.2.2
Related Orders:1 -5, 1-17,
7-21 Effective Date: 11/20/2023
Revised By: PD-132
Prv. Rev. Date: 04/16/2021
Chie f of Police :
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to describe the functions and composition of the Use of Force
Review Board (UFRB), an internal panel designed to advise the Chief of Police.
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
This policy has revisions to create an a venue for members of the Use of Force Review
Board to direct concerns regarding an officer’s conduct in a use of force incident directly
to the Chief of Police and permits the Chief of Police to refer the incident back to the
affected service area supervis or or IAD for further investigation. It further clarifies the
Use of Force Review Board only makes recommendations for “in policy” or “out of
policy” findings; the ultimate decision rests with the Chief of Police. It clarifies the
appropriate chain of revi ew of Use of Force case disposition packets after review by the
Use of Force Review Board. All changes will be in bold and italicized text.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department (RPD) that all employees maintain the
highest degree of both professional and personal conduct and integrity toward citizens and
Department members in performing their duties and responsibilities. The UFRB was
established to advise the Chief of Police if the use of force was within or outside of the
Richmond P olice Department’s Use of Force Policy (General Order 1-5). The UFRB may
convene to hear all alleged complaints of excessive use of force against Department members
and review Use of Force Reports (PD -35). The protection of human life is our highest
prior ity. All members of the Department will respect the constitutional rights of each
individual. All RPD members may be subject to serve on a review board. [CALEA 4.2.2 ]
IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guideli nes and timelines set forth in this
General Order. Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any
violations of policy are investigated and appropriate training, counseling and/or dis ciplinary
action is initiated.
Page 2 of 7 – General Order 1-18 (11/20/2023 )
USE OF FORCE REVIEW BOARD (UFRB)
This directive is fo r internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in
any way. It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or care in
an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims. Violation of this directive , if proven,
can only form the basis of a complaint by this department, and then only in a non -judicial
administrative setting.
V. PROCEDURE
A. General Information: [CALEA 4.2.2 ]
1. The UFRB shall review incidents of uses of force , as directed by the C hief of
Police or designee , in which a Use of Force Report (PD -35) was required to be
completed per General Order 1-5, Use of Force . Excessive force complaints that
are investigated by the Internal Affairs Division (IAD) may be forwarded to the
UFRB at th e discretion of the Chief of Police .
All O.C. Spray Cases will be reviewed by the UFRB as of June 1, 2020 . All cases
involving the deployment of an OC fogger shall be heard by the UFRB.
2. No member of any UFRB shall disclose to any person the matters or ind ividuals
discussed or the advice given by such Board , except with the expressed written
permission of the Chief of Police or designee .
3. When so charged by the Chief of Police, the UFRB is empowered to conduct
reviews of any and all types of employee -involve d use of force incidents,
including all incidents where an officer discharges a service weapon (except
during firearms training or sanctioned firearm competitions). The UFRB will not
review any use of f orce incident that is being investigated by IAD until the
investigation is complete.
4. The role of the UFRB is to decide whether the force used in the incident under
review was in accordance with the guidelines of the Richmond Police
Department’s General Orders and Code of Conduct Policy, (henceforth referred to
as, “In Policy”), or when outside of the guidelines (henceforth referred to as, “Out
of Policy ”). The following questions must be answered when an incident is under
review:
a) Was the use of force within or outside of the Richmond Police Department’s
Use of Force Policy (General Order 1-5) and /or other directives?
b) Were lesser force alternatives reasonably available?
c) Were proper tactics employed per policy and training?
d) Did the incident indicate a need for change(s) to the Department ’s written
directives, p olicies or training procedures?
Page 3 of 7 – General Order 1-18 (11/20/