Comprehensive Policy Review

The City of Alameda and the Alameda Police Department have received numerous inquiries about our police department's policies and how they compare to guidelines being advocated by police reform organizations. We understand the nation and community's anger and outrage stemming from recent events and we too support working with our community to improve the quality of life for all. 

The Alameda Police Department has, and continues, to work diligently in building relationships between individuals we serve, businesses, and community leaders, and we recognize that maintaining this trust is a critical and ongoing effort. That is why Alameda Police Officers routinely participate in a variety of mandated training, including, hate crimes, persons with developmental or mental disabilities, cultural diversity, and racial profiling, with de-escalation practices as a core element in the Department's overall training. 

The men and women of the Alameda Police Department believe in a collaborative problem-solving approach to improve our community's quality of life.

As our community continues to evolve, we will continue to adapt and work together in addressing equality, strengthening relationships, and addressing concerns. Below is a summary of the Alameda Police Department's current policies and training outlines specifically related to - use of "chokeholds," de-escalation, lethal force, duty to intercede, discharge of a weapon into moving vehicle, the use of force continuum, and reporting.”

 

The use of chokeholds, strangleholds, or carotid holds are not authorized at the Alameda Police Department and, therefore, these types of defensive techniques are not reflected in our policy manual.

De-escalation is interwoven into the Department's policies and procedures and is included in the Department's policy on crisis intervention, civil disputes, and is our Department's training foundation. Officers are expected to use conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques to stabilize the incident as appropriate.

Policy reference: 389.9, 466.6, 418.4, 466.5, 469.3

Where feasible, the officer shall, prior to the use of force, make reasonable efforts to identify themselves 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.

Policy reference: 300.4 (b)

Our policy requires that if an objectively reasonable officer would consider it safe and feasible to do so under the totality of the circumstances, officers should evaluate the use of other reasonably available resources and techniques when determining whether to use deadly force.

Policy reference: 300.4

Any officer present and observing another officer using force that is clearly beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances shall, when in a position to do so, intercede to prevent the use of unreasonable force and report these observations to a supervisor.

Policy reference: 300.2.1

While our policy does not ban shooting at vehicles, it is fundamentally similar to Campaign Zero's expectations. An officer should only discharge a firearm at a moving vehicle or its occupants when the officer reasonably believes there are no other reasonable means available to avert the threat of the vehicle, or if deadly force other than the vehicle is directed at the officer or others.

Policy reference: 300.4.1

Officers shall use only that amount of force that reasonably appears necessary given the facts and totality of the circumstances known to or perceived by the officer at the time of the event to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

Policy reference: 300.3

Any use of force by a member of our department shall be documented promptly, completely, and accurately in an appropriate report.

Policy reference: 300.5

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