Back in 2020, we received inquiries from some in the Elk Grove community about our police department's policies and how they may or may not be congruent with objectives of some advocacy groups. We have examined our policies and wanted to share how our policies compare to those desired objectives:

• Ban chokeholds and strangleholds

  These techniques are not permitted in ourpolicies. Effective June 8, 2020 the Elk Grove Police Department issued an Administrative Directive to immediately prohibit the use of the carotid control hold. The Elk Grove Police Department's Use of Force Policy is being updated to reflect this prohibition.

• Require de-escalation

  De-escalation is interwoven into the department's operations and is included in the department'spolicies. De-escalation is included within our continued professional training curriculum as well. SB 230 requires that "officers utilize de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention tactics, and other alternatives to force when feasible." SB 230 also mandates each policy require officers to conduct all duties in a manner that is fair and unbiased. Additionally, SB 230 requires all officers be trained in alternatives to deadly force and de-escalation techniques.

• Require warning before shooting

  Our policy, along with AB 392, states the officer, where feasible, will identify themselves and warn deadly force may be used. This requirement is consistent with federal case law.

• Exhaust all other means before shooting

  Our policy requires officers evaluate the use of other reasonably available resources and techniques when determining whether to use deadly force, and deadly force is only used when there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury to the officer or another person.

• Duty to intervene and stop excessive force by other officers

  Our policy mandates a duty to intercede if any officer observes another officer using force that is unreasonable. SB 230 sets forth a "requirement that an officer intercede when present and observing another officer using force that is clearly beyond that which is necessary, as determined by an objectively reasonable officer under the circumstances." This provision is consistent with federal law as well.

• Ban shooting at moving vehicles

  Our policy states officers should move out of the path of an approaching vehicle instead of discharging their firearm at the vehicle or any of its occupants. 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

• Require use-of-force continuum

  Law enforcement agencies vary whether they incorporate a use-of-force continuum. Continuum'sdo notrequire officers start with one level of force before moving to another. Our policies take the use of force a step further requiring officers to useonlythat amount of force that reasonably appears necessary given the facts and totality of the circumstances.

• Require comprehensive reporting each time an officer uses forces or threatens to do so

  We have a rigorous process for each use of force incident which includes a detailed review. Every use of force is reviewed at multiple levels within the organization, including a final review by the Chief of Police. That review is in place to determine whether that force is within policy, reasonable, and whether that use of force requires additional training. All law enforcement actions are documented, to include uses of force and threats of force. The department provides data regarding all officer-involved shootings and incidents involving use of force resulting in serious bodily injury to the California Department of Justice.

The Elk Grove Police Department hires individuals are committed to serving and we want those who come to serve our community to uphold the standards and expectations not just of us, but of our community. We also believe in having a department that is diverse and reflective of those who call Elk Grove home.

According to the 2024 American Community Survey estimates, the breakdown for the City of Elk Grove is as follows:

• White: 37%
• Black: 11%
• American Indian or Alaska Native: Less than 1%
• Asian: 30%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 1.5%
• Hispanic or Latino: 19%
• Two or more races: 13%

Definitions for each race category from the US Census Bureau.

At the Elk Grove Police Department, our breakdown for employees is as follows: