PAB Conducting Oversight Investigation
The Policy and Oversight Division of the Police Accountability Board(PAB) is conducting an oversight investigation to assess the effectiveness of the Rochester Police Department's (RPD) current program, rollout, and training programs regarding the use of beanbag guns. The organization confirmed the objective is to gather facts and data to provide clear, community-centered recommendations that can be shared with the public. The investigation will involve budgetary and equipment audits, as well as a comparison of best practices from other departments and recommendations from academic stakeholders.
The PAB stated it would analyze existing general orders related to the usage of kinetic impact weapons, specifically focusing on policies regarding beanbag guns. They assert the goal is to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of these policies and make recommendations to strengthen them. Like the protest policy audit, the PAB plans to research and analyze RPD policies and practices, comparing them to guidelines from other jurisdictions to determine the best way forward.
The investigation was prompted by the fatal officer-involved shooting of Tyshon Jones on March 10, 2021. In response, the RPD announced a plan to equip each patrol vehicle with beanbag-firing shotguns. While beanbag shotguns are considered less lethal, they can still cause serious injury. The PAB aims to assess the impact and appropriateness of this decision.
Key divisions within the RPD that will be involved in the investigation include the Administration Bureau, specifically the Administrative Services Division, Professional Development Section, Research and Evaluation Section, and Police Budget and Personnel Offices. Relevant policy-making and training staff will also be interviewed, including Deputy Chief Elena Correia, Commander Sammie Drayton Jr., Lt. Michael Ciulla, and Sgt. John Drew.
The investigation will focus on various policies, practices, procedures, and laws related to the usage of kinetic impact weapons, including beanbag guns. This includes RPD General Orders 115, 337, 335, 342, 205, 207, 561, and 560.
To gather the necessary information, the PAB stated the investigation will involve the following steps:
1. Determine the purchasing and maintenance costs of beanbag guns.
2. Identify the current number of active patrol vehicles in the RPD fleet.
3. Determine the current number of RPD patrol vehicles with beanbag guns.
4. Assess the number of RPD officers trained in the usage of beanbag guns.
5. Evaluate the training methods employed for officers regarding the usage of beanbag guns.
6. Determine if there are separate protocols for the usage of beanbag guns in cases involving mental health crises.
7. Determine if there are separate protocols for the usage of beanbag guns in cases involving juveniles.
8. Assess if documented deployments of RPD beanbag guns have been compliant and consistent with RPD training.
They confirmed potential interviews will be conducted with relevant RPD policy-making staff. Reading materials and sources will include RPD records, such as subject resistance reports (SRRs) from all beanbag gun field deployments, as well as training memos and bulletins related to beanbag guns, including RPD Training Bulletins L-58-15 and P-39-01.
Comments