Laserfiche WebLink
do so, intercede to prevent the use of unreasonable force (Minn. Stat. § 626.8452; Minn. Stat. § <br />626.8475). <br />Any officer who observes another law enforcement officer or a member use force that is potentially <br />beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances shall report these observations to <br />a supervisor as soon as feasible (Minn. Stat. § 626.8452; Minn. Stat. § 626.8475). <br />300.2.2 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS <br />An officer reporting a use of force by another law enforcement officer or member pursuant to this policy <br />shall also make the report in writing to the Director of Public Safety within 24 hours (Minn. Stat. § <br />626.8475). <br />300.2.3 PERSPECTIVE <br />When observing or reporting force used by a law enforcement officer, each officer should take into <br />account the totality of the circumstances and the possibility that other law enforcement officers may <br />have additional information regarding the threat posed by the subject. <br />300.3 USE OF FORCE <br />Officers shall use only that amount of force that reasonably appears necessary given the facts and <br />circumstances perceived by the officer at the time of the event to accomplish a legitimate law <br />enforcement purpose. <br />The reasonableness of force will be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene at <br />the time of the incident. Any evaluation of reasonableness must allow for the fact that officers are often <br />forced to make split-second decisions about the amount of force that reasonably appears necessary in a <br />particular situation, with limited information and in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly <br />evolving. <br />Given that no policy can realistically predict every possible situation an officer might encounter, officers <br />are entrusted to use well -reasoned discretion in determining the appropriate use of force in each <br />incident. <br />It is also recognized that circumstances may arise in which officers reasonably believe that it would be <br />impractical or ineffective to use any of the tools, weapons, or methods provided by this department. <br />Officers may find it more effective or reasonable to improvise their response to rapidly unfolding <br />conditions that they are confronting. In such circumstances, the use of any improvised device or method <br />must nonetheless be reasonable and utilized only to the degree that reasonably appears necessary to <br />accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose. <br />While the ultimate objective of every law enforcement encounter is to avoid or minimize injury, nothing <br />in this policy requires an officer to retreat or be exposed to possible physical injury before applying <br />reasonable force. <br />300.3.1 ALTERNATIVE TACTICS - DE-ESCALATION <br />When circumstances reasonably permit, officers should use non-violent strategies and techniques to <br />decrease the intensity of a situation, improve decision-making, improve communication, reduce the <br />