09-15-2020 - AGENDA ITEM 12 POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE12/1/2020 Print Staff Report
AGENDA ITEM NO. 12
=' AGENDA STAFF REPORT
r m �trnr� City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE:
September 15, 2020
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
David Carmany
City Manager
SUBJECT:
POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this informational report
BACKGROUND:
Due to the recent civil unrest, Police Departments across the country are taking steps to review their policies
and the way that they engage with the public.
DISCUSSION:
The West Covina Police Department takes this matter seriously. In response to questions from residents and
community groups, the Department would like to address some questions and concerns raised. The attached
report reviews staffing levels, use of force, training programs and statistical information. The City Council has
seen some of this information previously and this is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the
Department.
OPTIONS:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the update from the Police Department.
Prepared by: Richard Bell, Chief of Police
Attachments
Attachment No. 1 - Police Department Informational Presentation
CITY Protect Public Safety
COUNCIL
GOALS &
OBJECTIVES:
https://destinyhosted.com/print_ag_memo.Gfm?seq=W&rev_num=0&mode=6demal&reloaded=true&id=93782 1/1
REQUIRE USE OF
FORCE
CONTINUUM
Officers at the West Covina Police Department have a range of force options that may
be implemented depending on the totality of the circumstance in order to effectively
execute an arrest or legitimate law enforcement purpose.
The range of options include command presence, control holds, and restraints
(handcuffs or hobble restraints . If more resource are necessary to effectively execute
an arrest or legitimate law enforcement purpose, the following options may be
considered: OC spray, taser, specialty impact weapons, other chemical agents, K9
deployment, or lethal force.
REQUIRE USE OF
FORCE
CONTINUUM
Officers shall use only that amount of force that reasonably appears necessary given
the facts and circumstances perceived by the officer at the time of the event to
accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose. (Penal Code 835(a))
� REQUIRE EXHAUST ALL
ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SHOOTING -
WCPD POLICY: 300.4 DEADLY FORCE APPLICATION
IF ANY 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.
L•
BAN CHOKEHOLDS AND STRANGULATIONS
WCPD POLICY: 310 CAROTID CONTROL HOLD
The use of "chokeholds and strangleholds" are not authorized for use by the officers of the West
Covina Police Department.
The following is the Amendment to the above policy:
Any "carotid/choke restraint" is strictly prohibited, unless faced with a situation where deadly
force would be authorized.
- BAN SHOOTING AT MOVING VEHICLES
WCPD POLICY: 300.4.1 SHOOTING AT OR FROM MOVING VEHICLES
Shots fired at or from a moving vehicle are rarely effective. 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.
Officers should not shoot at any part of a vehicle in an attempt to disable the vehicle.
REQUIRE
°❑� COMPREHENSIVE
REPORTING
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Statistical data regarding all officer -involved shootings and incidents involving use of force
resulting in serious bodily injury is to be reported to the California Department of Justice as
required by Government Code 12525.5.
REQUIRE
°❑� COMPREHENSIVE
REPORTING
WCPD POLICY: 300.5 REPORTING THE USE OF FORCE
Any use of force by a member of this department shall be documented promptly,
completely and accurately in an appropriate report, depending on the nature of the
incident. The officer should articulate the factors perceived and why he/she believed
the use of force was reasonable under the circumstances. To collect data for purposes
of training, resources allocation, analysis and related purposes, the Department may
require the completion of additional report forms, as specified in department
procedures of law.
REQUIRE
°❑� COMPREHENSIVE
REPORTING
(a) Obtain the basic facts from the involved officers. Absent an allegation of
misconduct of excessive force, this will be considered a routine contact in the
normal course of duties.
(b) Ensure that any injured parties are examined and treated.
REQUIRE
°❑� COMPREHENSIVE
REPORTING
WCPD POLICY: 300.7 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
(c) Once any initial medical assessments has been completed or first aid has
been rendered, ensure that photographs have been taken of any areas involving
visible injury or complaint of pain, as well as overall photographs of uninjured
areas. These photographs should be retained until all potential civil litigation
has expired.
REQUIRE
°❑� COMPREHENSIVE
REPORTING
WCPD POLICY: 300.7 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY
(d) Identify any witnesses not already included in the report.
(e) Review all related reports.
WEST COVINA
POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES
�GE OF�rn
r �r�
TRAINING
WCPD POLICY: 300.8 TRAINING
Officers will receive periodic training on this policy (use of force) and
demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.
The following are some training courses the officers have attended over the
past three years. The department has and will continue to offer training
regarding various topics.
TRAINING
WCPD POLICY: 300.8 TRAINING
2020
January: De-escalation training
September: Community Policing in the 21st Century to Reduce Conflict
** Covid-19 has suspended all trainings within the department and state-wide.
TRAINING
WCPD POLICY: 300.8 TRAINING
2019
April: Arrests and Controls
March: CPR and Less Lethal*
October: Emergency Action Team and Building Searches
September: Harassment and Domestic Violence (legal updates)
* Covers policy as well as training in de-escalation, use or techniques, and deployment
TRAINING
WCPD POLICY: 300.8 TRAINING
2018
March: Jail Extractions*
June: Active Shooter
February: High -risk Traffic Stops, Bearcat, and UAS
April: AED, Mobile Field Force, and Narcan
* Covers policy as well as training in de-escalation, use or techniques, and deployment
TRAINING
WCPD POLICY: 300.8 TRAINING
2017
April: Emergency Action Team and K-9 Searches
August: Defensive Tactics
October: Less Lethal
September: TCCC, PMARCH, Tourniquets
* Covers policy as well as training in de-escalation, use or techniques, and deployment
WCPD Numbers
JAN 1, 2018 THROUGH JULY 31, 2020
WCPD
CALLS FOR SERVICE
90,000
Calls for
Felony Misdemeanor
80,000
Service
Arrests Arrests
70,000
2018 80,319
60,000
2019 73,825
819 1,518
50,000
*2020 37,023
392
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
*data through 7/31/2020
2018 2019 2020
0Other Misdemeanors ■Felonies
ARRESTS AND USE OF FORCE
Calls for Felony Misdemeanor Arrests and Use of Force
Service Arrests Arrests 2,000
2018 80,319 894 1,800
1,600
2019 73,825 819 1,518 1,400
*2020 37,023 392 ' 1,200
1,000
Used Deadly Used Other 800
Force Force— 600
2018 0 80 400
200
2019 1 100 0 LILU
*2020 0 34 2018 2019 2020
Misdemeanor Arrests � Felony Arrests
—Other Force Used Deadly Force Used
NUMBER OF TIMES
OFFICERS USED FORCE
2018 = 80
0.099% of the time per call
0
3.06/ of the time during an arrest
2019 = 101 0.136% of the time per call
4.31% of the time during an arrest
* 2020 = 34
0.092% of the time per call
0
3.79/ of the time during an arrest
*data through 7/31/2020
OFFICER COMPLAINTS
2018 through July 2020
Complaints vs Sustained
Number of Sustained 10
Complaints Complaints 9
2018 8 1 8
2019 9 0 6
*2020 3 0 5
4
3
2
1
0
2018 2019 YTD 2020
■Complaints ■Sustained
*data through 7/31/2020
Personnel
WEST COVINA POLICE DEPARTMENT
GE �Fpfn
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RECAP
2018 through July 2020
WCPD handled 191,167 calls for service
5,849 arrests
215 times force was used
0.11% force rate per call
3.67% force rate per arrest
2018 through July 2020
NONE of the force used involved carotid control hold, vascular neck
restraint or any type of chokehold.
WCPD Officers used deadly force ONE TIME during this period,
resulting in an armed suspect being injured.
Traffic Unit
Traffic Unit Personnel
SWORN STAFF
1 TRAFFIC SERGEANT
Supervises all Traffic Bureau staff, HOPE, Fleet, Grants, Traffic enforcement & complaints
1 TRAFFIC CORPORAL
Filing of all traffic related crimes, fatal investigations, traffic enforcement & complaints
2 MOTOR OFFICERS*
Fatal traffic collisions, injury traffic collisions, traffic enforcement, traffic complaints, and
school enforcement
*There was approximately 10 motor officers when we were at full capacity.
Traffic Unit Personnel
NON -SWORN STAFF
1 COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER
Fleet and field work
4 TRAFFIC CADETS (4 Vacancies)
Issue parking citations, impound vehicles, non -injury traffic collisions, assist with fleet,
and other miscellaneous duties
Revenue generated from parking citations from fiscal year 2019 to current: $464,382
10 most problematic intersections
within the city
MOWN I OTHER 1231-12(A)B 22450(A) 22350 22107 22106 21804((A) I 21801(A) 21658(A) 21453(A) Grand
L Total
0 0
0
0
11
12
2
1
2
7
5
40
1 2
0
0
11
2
1
0
1
1
7
26
2 0
0
0
7
8
1
0
3
2
2
25
0 0
1
1
8
5
1
0
0
0
5
21
1 1
0
0
5
5
0
0
1
1
3
17
0 0
0
0
3
2
0
0
4
1
7
17
0 0
1
0
2
2
0
0
5
0
7
17
0 0
1
0
2
2
1
0
5
0
5
16
0 1
0
0
2
5
0
0
4
1
2
15
0 0
0
0
5
3
0
0
0
1
5
14
4 4
3
1
56
46
6
1
25
14
48
208
Fatal traffic collisions
The department had the following fatal traffic collisions:
2019 — 5 Fatal traffic collisions
1 DUI related
2 Turning violations
2 Termination of a pursuit (CHP Investigation)
2020 — 3 Fatal traffic collisions
1 DUI
1 Pedestrian in roadway
1 Turning violation
Office of Transportation and Safety Grant
The police department applied for and received a DUI / PCF (Primary Collision Factor) grant from
October 1, 2019 — September 2020.
The followine activities have occurred:
DUI traffic lane December 2019
DUI traffic lane August 28, 2020
Several PCF traffic enforcements (Multiple officers enforcing traffic laws that are
related to traffic collisions
Several DUI saturation patrols. This is where officers are conducting traffic stops and
enforcing laws relating to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Homeless
Outreach
Parks
Enforcement
H.O.P.E. Statistics
Approximately 3,400 incidents for the police department involving transients (August 2019 —
August 2020)
H.O.P.E. Officer
The current HOPE Officer was assigned to H.O.P.E in April 2020 and has handled 394 homeless incidents.
He has received and addressed 28 complaints coming from GoGov app
• There have been 157 arrests involving transients
• There have been 149 transients have been identified through a field interview
Personnel Updates
90 Officers as of September 2020
5 IODs (injured on duty)
DETECTIVE BUREAU:
12 Officers
5 SET Officers
5 Vacancies
PATRr,
52 Officers in the field
TRAFFIC UNIT
4 Officers
DISPATCH
13 Full-time
3 Part-time
5 Vacancies
SROs*: Back to the schools as of 8/8/20
*School Resource Officers' current focus
are truancy and mental health checks.
Only staff and faculty are allowed on
school grounds during distance learning.
Project Room key
Project Room Key (PRK)
38 people who have been placed in PRK
21 people still currently residing in PRK
There are 8 people awaiting placement for PRK
9 people have left or have been removed from PRK
Partnerships
L.A.H.S.A. ( Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority)
LAHSA partners up with the HOPE Officer every Tuesday to provide resources
Union Station
Union Station has an office at city hall
D.M.H. (Department of Mental Health)
Provides assistance on as needed basis
Hotel voucher program in the works
Code Enforcement
Assists with Cal Trans, LA County, local businesses
City Yard
Detective Bureau
CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY
CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
�GE �F�fn
r �
Crimes against PROPERTY
Crimes Against Property assigned
cases from 01/01/20 to 08/24/20
Burglary Desk: 69
Fraud Desk: 32
Misc. Desk: 48
Cadet (Narcotics): 85
CSO: 72
2020 cases assigned 262
to the property side desk:
TOTAL assigned cases to each property desk
Burglary Desk: 80
Fraud Desk: 36
Misc. Desk: 65
Cadet (Narcotics): 85
CSO: 72
TOTAL cases assigned 338
to the property side desk:
Crimes against PERSONS
Crimes Against Persons desk
assigned cases from 01/01/20 to 08/24/20
SVU Desk: 43
Robbery Homicide Desk: 63
Homicide Investigations, Preliminary Hearings
and Trials:
DV Desk: 60
Cadet (Missing Persons) : 71
2020 cases assigned : 237
TOTAL assigned cases to each Persons desk
SVU Desk: 71
Robbery Homicide Desk: 79
Homicide Investigations, Preliminary Hearings
and Trials: 3
DV Desk: 87
Cadet (Missing Persons) : 71
TOTAL cases assigned: 338
Social
Media
WEST COVINA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Facebook
*Unrelated: emoji's, tags, unrelated to
posting
POST
DATE
LIKES
DISLIKES
COMMENTS
CONVERSATIONS
POSITIVE
NEGATIVE
UNRELATED
POSITIVE
NEGATIVE
UNRELATED
30-Jan
107
0
7
0
8
0
1
3
3-Feb
105
0
15
2
15
1
0
7
10-Feb
1 68
0
8
0
3
1 0
0
1 2
18-Feb
66
0
8
0
4
0
0
1
24-Feb
83
0
5
0
7
0
0
3
6-Mar
40
0
7
0
1
0
0
0
11-Mar
59
0
5
1
17
0
0
9
25-Mar
154
0
19
0
2
1 0
0
0
13-A r
90
0
16
0
4
0
0
0
15-Apr
1 46
0
8
0
4
0
0
4
20-Apr
106
0
10
0
6
0
0
1
25-A r
55
0
6
0
2
0
0
0
7-May
48
0
6
0
4
0
0
7
11-May
69
0
10
2
9
0
0
8
tun 15
1 82
0
9
4
15
16
13
23
TOTALS
1 1,178
0
139
9
101
17
14
68
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
COMMENTS & CONVERSATIONS
rho >M > c c
o m o r Li N o � N o m o
en c-I N N c-I 1-4N c-1 N cn ^ c�-I N 00 ci
tpositive Comment —*--Negative Comment
tpositive Conversation —*--Negative Conversation
I nstagra m
O
*Unrelated: emoji's, tags, unrelated to
posting
DATE
LIKES
COMMENTS
CONVERSATIONS
Positive
Negative
Unrelated*
Positive
Negative
Unrelated*
Jan 30
183
4
0
4
0
0
0
Feb 3
229
8
0
3
0
0
2
Feb 10
217
4
0
1
0
0
0
Feb 18
234
5
1
1
0
0
3
Feb 24
193
3
0
6
0
0
0
Mar 6
158
6
0
5
0
0
3
Mar 11
180
6
0
3
0
0
2
Mar 25
363
14
0
3
0
0
0
Apr 13
266
7
0
0
0
0
2
Apr 15
214
7
0
4
0
0
2
Apr 20
430
18
0
2
0
0
1
Apr 25
309
12
0
4
0
0
1
May 7
228
7
0
6
0
0
1
May 11
222
4
0
3
0
0
0
May 19
303
9
0
6
0
0
2
May 26
188
2
1
2
0
0
2
June 15
331
12
3
2
16
12
16
TOTALS
4,248
129
5
57
16
12
37
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
COMMENTS & CONVERSATIONS (09
c Q n n
) Li Li a) a a a a a
O w M O I-� N Ol l0 M O
M -4 N N .--I c-I N •--I N rn ^ N 04 ci
+Positive Comment —*--Negative Comment tPositive Convo +Negative Convo
Use of Force
WEST COVINA POLICE DEPARTMENT
'�TCOVINA44ti'�''
Actual Comments on WCPD Social Media
February 24, 2020
It's been, While since you
e posted any
June 15, 2020
And yes
we need more officers on the
street, don't pay attention to the
haters out there that want to
defunct public safety —they think
singing koomba rah will solve
crime
February 3, 2020
U guys need to
24W
February 18, 2020
20w
March 11, 2020
t •.
. - He needs to be locked
and have the thrown away for a
he tried to do, Shameful,
2
Actual Comments on WCPD Social Media
May 26, 2020 June 15, 2020
This does not help
the community
June 15, 2020
Reminder that releasing these photos influence
biases among officers and the public. These images add to the
association of who is a criminal and who is not. The photographs
help promote stereotypes. These images do not make the city safer.
Just last week the 8FPD made the decision to 'reel bacW the use of
these images. Here is hoping that Chief Bell and WCPD will do the
same.
OWID 11
Reminderthat
releasing these photos influence
biases amongst officers and the
public. These images add to the
associations of who is a criminal
and who is not. The photographs
help promote stereotypes. These
images do not make the city safer.
Not sure "whose siX' releasing
these images are supposed to
have. Just last week the San
Francisco PD made the decision
to "reel back" the use of these
images. Here is hoping that Chief
Bell and the WVCPD will do the
same.
0
!il/ESTCOL//N.4 /
Integrity and service since IS37
WEST COVINA POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARDS AND POLICIES
THE FOLLOWING ARE ANSWERS TO SOME OF THE QUESTIONS RAISED OVER THE PAST FEW
MONTHS WITH RESPECT TO THE STANDARDS AND POLICIES THE WEST COVINA POLICE
DEPARTMENT HAS HAD IN PLACE SINCE 2015.
The West Covina Police Department receives legal updates annually and reviews the policies to
make sure we are in line with the laws and standards set forth by current legislation
0 DE-ESCALATION REQUIREMENT
The West Covina Police Department's ultimate objective in every law enforcement contact is
voluntary compliance. In order to achieve this objective we require and train in de-
escalation. Officers encounter many different situations throughout one's shift. These situation
may include encountering someone suffering from mental illness, a civil dispute, crisis
intervention, and an arrest.
0 DE-ESCALATION REQUIREMENT
The following policies of the West Covina Police Department are just a few that talk about and
require de-escalation to be part of an officer's consideration.
USE OF FORCE POLICY 300
CIVIL DISPUTES POLICY 426.3 (a) (General Considerations)
• CRISIS INTERVENTION INCIDENTS 425.6 (De-escalation)
• MENTAL ILLNESS COMMITMENTS 409.4(c)
AR
DUTY TO INTERVENE
WCPD POLICY: 300.2.1 DUTY TO INTERVENE
Any officer present and observing another officer using force clearly beyond that which is
objectively reasonable shall, when in a position to do so, intercede to prevent the use of
unreasonable force.
An officer who observes another employee use force that exceeds the degree of force
permitted by law should promptly report these observations to a supervisor.