Office of Professional Standards & Inspections releases 2011 Annual Report

All numbers included for the 2011 annual report are from investigations/summary files
that have been closed as of this date.

SUMMARY:

In 2011, there were significant increases in the following investigative/complaint
categories:

• Use of Force Incidents–Hands –On Incidents
• Unprofessional Conduct / Negligence Complaints
• Biased Policing Complaints
• Early Warning Alerts (IA Pro)

The increase can be attributed to the following:

• Increased attention given to the Department’s response to “biased policing”
• complaints.
• WIDU’s (local AM radio station) antagonistic coverage of the biased policing
• debate.
• Emphasis placed on filing complaints by a group of local activists.
• Publication of “how” to file a complaint with the FPD.
• The Fayetteville Observer’s coverage of the biased based policing debate.

• In 2011, the Observer published 46 articles in which the topic of consent searches was discussed. Many of the articles were critical of the Department’s response to the biased policing debate.
• 5 articles in May and 11 articles in September, which bracketed August (high month for incidents in 2011)
• Lack of citizen understanding concerning “search and seizure” law.
•  53 day moratorium on the use of Tasers.

• The officers did not have access to the Tasers and often resorted to other force options and
• The threat of being “Tased” was no longer a concern for those contemplating resistance since they had been temporarily removed from the officers.
• Increased emphasis placed on SCAT (Subject Control Arrest Techniques) in BLET.

• Newer officers may be or may feel more skilled in using “hands on” tactics then officers who did not receive the training early on.

VIEW FULL REPORT HERE:

http://www.bethebadge.com/annualreports/Annual_Report_2011.pdf