Police Discuss Use-Of-Force Framework With Commission

Officers consider several factors when deciding whether to use force against someone and to what extent, according to one Saint John police officer.

Insp. Mike Young gave an overview of the National Use of Force Framework during the monthly Saint John Police Commission meeting on Tuesday.

It comes as police forces across North America deal with public pressures about their use-of-force policies.

Young, who leads the force’s patrol division and is an expert in use-of-force, said there are several reasons why an officer may need to use force.

“We need to control a subject’s demonstrated behaviour, defend themselves in the lawful performance of their duties, protect the public, effect a lawful arrest, and prevent a continuation of the offence,” said Young.

The framework represents the process by which an officer assesses and responds to different situations.

Several factors are considered by officers before they determine how to respond, he said, which include assessing the immediate situation and the individual’s behaviour.

The framework has five different categories of subject behaviour: co-operative, passive resistant, active resistant, assaultive, and grievous bodily harm or death.

Young said an officer’s perception of the situation and tactical considerations can also impact their assessment.

“Your 30-year veteran that is still working the street and still firing on all cylinders, been through it all, opposed to maybe an officer two years in, they probably have a little more in relation to possibly even better response times,” he said.

Once an officer assesses a situation, there are five use-of-force options ranging from the simple presence of the officer to lethal force.

Young said because situations are constantly evolving, officers must be prepared to adjust their response to it.

“A subject’s behaviour can change within a situation a million times, so we could be jumping around that framework from co-operative to assaultive, back to co-operative,” he said. “The subject’s behaviour dictates it all and we should be assessing, planning and acting accordingly based on that.”

Young said the framework does not justify an officer’s actions but supports officer training and helps the public to better understand use-of-force.

He noted there are several instances in New Brunswick when officers are required to submit a use-of-force report, such as an officer drawing or discharging their police-issued sidearm, except when putting down an animal in distress; using a weapon other than a firearm on someone; using physical force on another person which results in injury; or deploying a Taser.

Reports are analyzed from a training perspective and can be used if someone files a complaint, he said.

Young said Canada’s use-of-force framework is seen as being on the forefront by many of their counterparts in the United States.

“You can appreciate the multitude of states’ differing criminal code acts, different laws. They all have different frameworks, as well,” he said. “They really want what Canada has to offer.”

Canada’s national use-of-force framework was developed in 1999 at the request of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. A total of 21 people representing 18 police forces and other agencies, including Saint John police, were tasked with completing the project.