Policy Text
2/17 (Rev 8/18) 1
Use of Force Review Board
I. Purpose:
The purpose for this General Order is to establish a Use of For ce Review Board
to review all officer involved shootings, custodial deaths, and certain use of force
cases deemed necessary by Executive Staff. II. Policy:
A. The Use of Force Review Board will conduct its review to
determine:
1. The need for revisions to poli cy, procedure, or training;
2. Whether there was proper m anagement of the situation by
command and supervisory staff;
3. If there is a need for changes o r modifications to equipment ;
4. Whether the use of forc e was within policy.
B. While the Board ma y opine about a violation of policy, the s ole
responsibility for determination of whether the incident was wi thin
Department policy shall res t with Executive Staff.
C. The Sheriff’s Executive St aff will determine whether the Boa rd
should delay its revi ew until after the completion of any crimi nal or
administrative investigation.
D. The Use of Force Review Boar d shall exercise privilege unde r
California Evidence Code sectio n 1151. Any product of the Boar d
shall not be subject to public d isclosure under Government Code
section 6254.
Evaluations and recommendations m ade by the Board may address s uggested
changes to policy, procedure, tr aining, or equipment. Final de termination shall
be decided by the Sheriff and Executive Staff.
2/17 (Rev 8/18) 2
III. Use of Force Rev iew Board Members:
A. The Board will be c haired by the Commander of the Profession al
Standards Division. The Board s hall be comprised of division
commanders from each di vision within the Sheriff’s Department, the
Tactical Commander, the Range Ma ster, a Department Arrest Contr ol
and Tactics use of force exper t, and the Sheriff’s Legal Adviso r.
B. The Board shall meet as dire cted by the Sheriff’s Executive Staff.
During the meeting review proce ss, the Board shall have a major ity of
division commanders present. To ens ure protected communication ,
the Sheriff’s Legal Advisor sha ll be present at every meeting.
1. In matters requiring a specif ic expertise, the Board may eli cit
opinions from subject matter experts.
IV. Investigative Guidelines:
A. In cases where a use of forc e is identified by Executive Sta ff to
warrant review by this Board, i t shall be the responsibility of the
Assistant to the Chief Deputy of t he affected service area to g ather
all related documents and material s and provide them to the Boa rd.
B. For all officer involved shootings and custodial deaths, th e
Homicide Sergeant shall gather the following information for re view
by the Board:
1. All reports, photographs, audi o and video tapes, statements
and other documents relati ng to the incident.
C. The Training Division shall provide the following informatio n:
1. A list of the involved office r’s assignments while employed
with the Sacramento S heriff’s Department.
2. A history of relevant trai ning of the involved officer.
3. A quarterly recap of in-se rvice training pertaining to
department-wide use of force that reflects any trends as well
as measures in mitigation.
D. The Use of Force Review B oard may be called upon to convene at
any time to review a specific inc ident by Executive Staff.
1. The commander of the affected di vision, or his/her designee,
shall present the incident to the Board.
2/17 (Rev 8/18) 3E. The objective of the Board is to make a report based on the
following:
1. Adequacy and adherence to training
2. Adequacy of policy 3. Avoidability of similar incidents in the future 4. Changes or modifications to equipment 5. Changes in supervisory practices 6. Modification in tactics
7. Adequacy of the investigation
F. The Use of Force Review Board shall not be allowed to call a ny
employee for questioning, as th is is in no way intended to be
construed as an Administrative In vestigation. It is simply a r eview
to provide the Sheriff and Execut ive Staff information to make
timely decisions on policy, pro cedures, training, and/or equipm ent.
V. Use of Force Review Board Findings:
A. After the Board’s review , the Commander of Professional
Standards shall have a report wit h the Board’s findings and
recommendations prepared and forwar ded to Executive Staff. Afte r
a review by Executive Staff, and the determination has been mad e
that there is no policy violati on, criminal or administrative
investigation, the findings wil l be forwarded to all division
commanders and the DSA. The Prof essional Standards Division
shall be the keeper of the record.
VI. Follow Up:
A. If the Board determines a need for subsequent remedial measu res,
and the measures are approv ed by Executive Staff, the
Commander of the Professional Standards Division will direct In -
Service training staff to coor dinate the necessary follow up
measures.