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ANAHEIM Response to Police Review Board <br />POLICE October zoigReport 1 <br />3 <br />b. The Department should devise and implement a protocol for reviewing multiple shooting <br />incidents involving the same officer, with an eye toward determining whether duty assignments <br />should be adjusted to minimize risk of future deadly force events. <br />The hiring process for a police officer candidate, whether anew recruit or a lateral officer from <br />another agency, is understandably and rightfully comprehensive. One of the most critical <br />components of the process is the background investigation. Consisting of an in-depth examination of <br />the candidates' past including but not limited to education, decision -making, acquaintances, driving <br />history, military history, family history and work history, this provides a critical tool in assessing a <br />candidate's readiness and compatibility for the position of police officer with the Anaheim Police <br />Department. For lateral applicants, this "background" includes examinations of prior discipline, <br />complaints, performance, use of force and any applications ofdeadlyforce. <br />As with all candidates, these reports are critically considered and when necessary additional <br />investigative work is requested before anyone passes this phase of the process. Most importantly, <br />uses of deadly force are tightly scrutinized in order to ensure the department does not make an ill- <br />advised hire and inherit an officer not suitable to its exacting standards and to standards the <br />community expects and demands. <br />Fortunately, APE) is a destination department and therefore enjoys the enviable position of screening <br />the best and brightest candidates. That being said, the PRB's recommendation on this critical topic is <br />very much appreciated, and the department has reinforced with its Personnel unit the need for all <br />relevant documentation related to prior deadly force be thoroughly examined before any candidate is <br />moved on to final review by the Deputy Chief and ultimately the Chief of Police. APD has also heard <br />from the PRB directly regarding their position on pre -hire screening; specifically as it relates to lateral <br />officer candidates with prior uses of deadly force. <br />The second component of this recommendation involves incumbent officers involved in multiple <br />applications of deadly force. Every officer -involved shooting is subject to not only comprehensive and <br />critical investigation in terms of lawfulness and adherence to policy, but concurrent with these <br />investigations the department considers the history of the involved officer. Prior to any officer <br />returning to the field following an officer involved shooting, he or she must first be cleared for duty by <br />an approved psychologist. Beyond that, the department's executive team confers prior to the return <br />to duty to ensure the assignment is appropriate considering the circumstances of the incident and the <br />officer's history. When warranted and as evidenced by APD practice, an officer maybe reassigned <br />temporarily or longer term. While adequate safeguards are in place, APD agrees with PRB's <br />65D-71 <br />