Does the Redmond Police Department have clear standards for when force can be used?

The Redmond Police Department’s Use of Force Policy has been adapted to incorporate the standards set forth by Washington State Law guidelines to Physical Force and Deadly Force applications.

Physical Force- Officers shall use reasonable care when determining whether to use and when using any physical force against another person. The least amount of physical force necessary shall be used to overcome resistance under the circumstances (Chapter 324 § 3, 2021 Laws).

An officer may use physical force upon another person when necessary to:

  1. Protect against criminal conduct where there is probable cause to make an arrest or effect an arrest.
  2. Prevent an escape as defined under chapter 9A.76 RCW. 
  3. Protect against an imminent threat of bodily injury to the officer, another person, or the person against whom force is being used.

Officers shall terminate the use of physical force as soon as the necessity for such force ends.

Deadly Force Applications- When reasonable, the officer shall, before the use of deadly force, make efforts to identify him/herself as a peace officer and to warn that deadly force may be used, unless the officer has objectively reasonable grounds to believe the person is aware of those facts.

Use of deadly force is only justified when the officer reasonably believes it is necessary for the following circumstances (Chapter 324 § 3, 2021 Laws):

An officer may use deadly force to protect him/herself or others from what he/she reasonably believes is an imminent threat of serious physical injury or death.

For purposes of deadly force, an "imminent threat of serious physical injury or death" exists when, based on the totality of the circumstances, it is objectively reasonable to believe that a person has the present and apparent ability, opportunity, and intent to immediately cause death or serious bodily injury to the peace officer or another person.

 Redmond Police Department Use of Force Policy



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1. Do Redmond Police officers wear body-worn cameras?
2. Does the Redmond Police Department have clear standards for when force can be used?
3. Does the Redmond Police Department allow chokeholds?
4. When are RPD officers authorized to use deadly force?
5. Does the Redmond Police Department require officers to exhaust all alternatives before using deadly force?
6. Does the Redmond Police Department have a use of force continuum?
7. Does the Redmond Police Department investigate themselves if deadly force is used?
8. How does the Redmond Police Department track use of force in their agency?
9. What is the expectation of a Redmond Police Officer who observes excessive force?
10. Do the Redmond Police provide immediate medical assistance after a use of force?
11. What kind of de-escalation training do Redmond Police Officers receive?
12. Does the Redmond Police Department ban shooting at moving vehicles?
13. Do Redmond Police Officers receive any training on implicit bias, racism or prejudice?
14. How do Community Members get involved with the Redmond Police Department?
15. What is the Community Equity Action Team?
16. Does the Redmond Police have a policy about filming the police?
17. Does RPD have any surplus military equipment received under the federal 1033 program?
18. Does the Redmond Police Department share employee information with other departments if an employee leaves after discipline?
19. How do we learn about your police union contracts?
20. How do I file a complaint on a Redmond Police Employee?
21. Does the Redmond PD follow the six pillars of the 21st Century Policing Task Force report released by the Obama administration in 2015?