Use-of-Force Review
Non-Sustained— Findings indicate insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation or complaint.
Exonerated— Findings indicate sufficient evidence to prove the incident occurred, but the actions or demeanor of the employee were proper, lawful, and within policy.
Unfounded— Findings indicate sufficient evidence to prove the allegation or complaint did not occur or was demonstrably untrue or false.
Policy Failure— Findings indicate sufficient evidence to prove the allegation or complaint occurred, but the employee’ s actions were within GPD policy when the incident occurred. This finding indicates that the policy is faulty and needs review or revision.
In 2024, there were four citizen concerns that did not allege any policy violations or misconduct, but the citizens were initially dissatisfied with their interactions with an officer. An additional citizen concern was filed that alleged excessive force. The allegation of excessive force was found to be unsubstantiated.
During 2024, 13 internal performance complaints were generated, with 16 allegations made by supervisors when officers were observed to have violated policy or were discovered they had engaged in personal misconduct. The allegations in all 13 internal performance complaints were sustained.
During 2024, there were two Internal Affairs investigations where the Professional Standards Lieutenant filed six allegations of personal misconduct. Three of the six allegations were sustained, and three were unfounded.
The rate of policy violations or misconduct is extremely low, given that the department had 37,686 documented citizen contacts( as measured by incident reports, calls for service, traffic stops, and arrests). In summary, approximately one out of every 8,667 citizen contacts resulted in an external complaint or citizen concern or less than 0.011 % of all contacts.
Use of Force
Garner Police Department policy dictates that police officers use only that force necessary to protect life and affect lawful objectives. In addition to using physical force, police officers in Garner are equipped with and trained to use batons, conducted electrical weapons( better known by the name brand“ Taser”), and, if necessary, their firearms when performing their lawful duties.
Use-of-Force Review
Per the directive, a reportable use of force is defined as:
• any use of force applied to overcome overt physical resistance( as defined herein) or to overcome a physical assault by a suspect;
• any use of force that causes an injury or a complaint of injury or pain to an officer or any other person or results in EMS being requested for a suspect or officer;
• any use of force that results in property damage to non-department-owned property;
GARNER POLICE DEPARTMENT 2024 ANNUAL REPORT 21