Greenfield Deputy Police Chief William Gordon Helps Break Down Annual Use Of Force Report

By JULIE CUNNINGHAM

(Greenfield, MA) The Greenfield Police Department has released their annual Use of Force report for 2020, which indicates that the department had 18 documented incidents of use of force. Deputy Chief William Gordon gave his perspective on the report, explaining that out of all of the interactions the department has had with the community over the year, just 18 of those incidents resulted in use of force. Gordon also explained how the reporting has changed over the years from a broad definition to use of force that results in injury to the officer or the suspect. Gordon said that the definition used to be broad enough to include any physical contact with the suspect, resulting in reporting numbers like 2018 where the department had 26 documented use of force incidents. Now, the standard has been narrowed by the accreditation process to any use of force that results in an injury to the officer or the suspect. Out of an abundance of caution, officers will file a use of force report if they believe an injury may have resulted from the arrest.

Gordon also explained the meaning behind the language in the report, and the difference between a taser deployment and a taser probe deployment. A taser deployment is when an officer shows his taser to the suspect, but does not use it on the suspect. A taser probe deployment is when the taser is actually used on the suspect. Out of the 10 incidents where a taser was used, four of those were a taser probe deployment where the taser was actually used and six were just incidents where the suspect was brought under control without the actual use of the taser.

“So, when we use a taser, we show it to the suspect and say something like ‘if you don’t comply we will taser you.’ Then when the suspect complies, the taser goes away and is not used,” explained Gordon.

In addition, the report indicates that a firearm was used one time by one officer the entire year. Gordon said the weapon was not fired during that incident and the suspect was brought under control.  Overall, Gordon said the report is positive and indicates Greenfield Police were able to deescalate the majority of their calls and place suspects under arrest without the use of fore. To view a full copy of the report click here.