Police Department Policies and Procedures FAQ

The MIPD works to include de-escalation concepts into all use of force training.  Best practices teach that de-escalation is an integrated response to all potential situations that may result in the threat of or use of force.  MIPD officers are taught to de-escalate all interactions and situations when possible, by using effective communication, and utilizing tactics that create appropriate distance, time and shielding.  Through integrated use of force and de-escalation training, MIPD officers are given skills to accurately assess situations with the goal of resolving problems with the minimal use of force.

MIPD Policy states officers should consider that taking no action or passively monitoring the situation may be the most reasonable response to a mental health crisis. Once it is determined that a situation is a mental health crisis and immediate safety concerns have been addressed, responding members should be aware of the following considerations and should generally:

• Evaluate safety conditions. • Introduce themselves and attempt to obtain the person’s name. • Be patient, polite, calm, courteous and avoid overreacting. • Speak and move slowly and in a non-threatening manner. • Moderate the level of direct eye contact. • Remove distractions or disruptive people from the area. • Demonstrate active listening skills (e.g., summarize the person’s verbal communication). • Provide for sufficient avenues of retreat or escape should the situation become volatile.

Responding officers generally should not:

• Use stances or tactics that can be interpreted as aggressive. • Allow others to interrupt or engage the person. • Corner a person who is not believed to be armed, violent or suicidal. • Argue, speak with a raised voice or use threats to obtain compliance.

Law enforcement has almost universally turned away from the “use of force continuum” concept over the past 2 decades. The use of force continuum images used to train officers present an overly simplistic approach to decision-making that detract from the officer’s ability to make appropriate and effective use of force decisions while in the field. Training research has shown that the use of force continuum may cause an increase in the amount of force used by officers attempting to use the stair-stepping application of a continuum. MIPD trains officers to evaluate the situation with decision-making methods that correctly utilize current case law. Use of force standards are determined through applied Constitutional policing. MIPD officers have a variety of force options depending on what the situations dictate. MIPD officers are trained to use a variety of tactics, including de-escalation skills, to evaluate a potential use of force situation and apply only the amount of force that would be objectively reasonable and necessary to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose. Any option of force used must be reasonable.

MIPD policy requires officers to issue a verbal warning prior to the use of deadly force when feasible.

It is the policy of the Mercer Island Police Department that all officers be trained to provide emergency medical aid and to facilitate an emergency medical response. Officers are trained in multiple medical programs including; Tactical Medical Care, First Aid, Adult, Child and Infant CPR, AED Operation and Opioid Overdose Medication Administration

MIPD officers receive extensive introductory as well as continuing annual training in Crisis Intervention. Currently (July 2020), most MIPD officers have received over 40 hours of Crisis Intervention training. This training helps to prepare law enforcement personnel to respond to people having a mental health crisis. This training includes legal aspects, mental health disorders, interpersonal relations necessary to effectively work with the mentally ill, and intervention strategies for dealing with both low and high-risk situations. The MIPD strives to get all officers into the comprehensive 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training course as soon as it is appropriate for their level of development.

Our policy requires any officer observing another officer using excessive force to intervene to prevent the use of unreasonable force. An officer who observes another employee use force that exceeds the degree of force permitted by law shall promptly report these observations to a supervisor.

The MIPD has been a Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) accredited agency since 1991. This accreditation means that the MIPD is utilizing best practices and standards in multiple law enforcement areas including; Use of Force, Training, Code of Conduct, Role and Authority, Health and Safety, and Management, Staffing, Organization and Utilization of Personnel. The MIPD applies for re-accreditation every four years and must demonstrate continued compliance with nearly 150 areas of standards. More information about the accreditation process can be found at the WASPC website https://www.waspc.org/accreditation.

Since 2015 the MIPD has responded to 76,367 incidents (as of July 2020). Of those incidents, only 4 (0.005%) resulted in a physical use of force by MIPD officers. Three (3) additional incidents have resulted in a use of force report due to the officer using the threat of force to gain compliance.

Due to the size of our department (31 commissioned officers) and the minimal number of use of force and disciplinary incidents, the MIPD administration is able to track and monitor any potential issues with our officers without using a costly separate system. Close working environments and frequent crossover between all supervisors, officers, and department divisions creates an environment that allows for easy identification of any potential problems.