Columbia Police Department Internal Affairs Unit: 2014 Annual Internal Affairs Report

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

The Columbia Police Department has finalized our 2014 year-end report from the Internal Affairs Unit; this report will be available on our website at www.GoColumbiaMo.com/Police. Internal Affairs Sergeant Paul Dickinson will be available TODAY between 12:00 P.M. and 1:30 P.M. for on-camera interviews regarding the report. To schedule an interview time in this window, please contact the Public Relations Unit at [email protected]create new email or at (573) 817-5049.

During 2014, Columbia police officers were dispatched to 77,905 calls for service in the City of Columbia.  In addition, officers self-initiated an additional 75,879 calls/incidents, for a total of 153,784 calls/incidents.  In the same time period CPD officers made 4,704 arrests. (3.1% of citizen contacts resulted in an arrest).

• Citizen contacts:         153,784
• Arrests:                        4,704

Sworn personnel of the Columbia Police Department follow strict guidelines and policy in regards to responding to resistance.  These guidelines and policy are based upon best practice and case law.  Officers are required to use only force that reasonably appears necessary when overcoming resistance, given the facts and circumstances at the time of the event.  During 2014, officers used the following actions to overcome resistance.

• Joint Manipulation
• Kinetic Energy Impact Device
• StrikesPepper Spray
• Canine Bite
• Handcuffing
• Impact Weapon Other
• Pressure Point Technique
• Other Physical Force
• Balance Displacement
• Taser Deploy/Drive Stun
• Taser Laser/Arc Display
• Drawing/Exhibit Firearm

Officers overcame resistance in 308 incidents (0.2% of all citizen contacts) during 2014. Some of the incidents involved multiple subjects; some involved an officer attempting/using multiple techniques and/or multiple officers attempting/using some type of technique.  Note:  a single incident with a particular arrestee can result in multiple reviews, because each individual use of technique is reviewed.  In total officers had to overcome resistance in 6.5% of arrests. The following details the total number of techniques used by officers during the 308 responses to resistance:

• Officers used joint manipulation on 74 occasions.
• Officers used a Kinetic Energy Impact Device on 1 occasion.
• Officers used strikes on 20 occasions.
• Officers used pepper spray on 32 occasions.
• Officers used canine bites on 2 occasions.
• Officers handcuffed subjects on 118 occasions (without resulting in a formal arrest).
• Officers used "Impact Weapon Other" on 2 occasions.
• Officers used balance displacement on 74 occasions.
• Officers drew/exhibited their firearms on 150 occasions.
• Officers used a Taser® on 32 occasions.
• 13 Taser® Deployment/Drive Stun
• 19 Laser Display/Arc Display/Exhibit Taser®
• Officers used pressure point techniques on 11 occasions.
• Officers used other physical force 47 occasions.

In 2014, 4 (four) of the above incidents have been found to be "Improper." 

Of the 153,784 citizen contacts, the Columbia Police Department received 19 complaints (0.01% of all citizen contacts) from citizens alleging police misconduct as defined by City Ordinance[1].   City Ordinance also requires that the complaint investigation process conclude with a decision by the Police Chief that the complaint is unfounded (acts complained of did not occur or were misconstrued), the complaint is not sustained (insufficient facts established to either prove or disprove the acts complained of), the complaint is sustained (sufficient facts established to prove misconduct) or the officer is exonerated (acts complained of occurred but were justified, lawful and proper).  Of the 19 complaints, the following findings were made:

• Unfounded                             4         
• Exonerated                              2         
• Sustained                                3         
• Not Sustained                         3                     
• Withdrawn                              7
• Pending                                   0

In addition the Columbia Police Department initiated 48 further investigations following contact from citizens.  These contacts did not meet the definition of a complaint as defined by Section 21-45 of City Ordinance complaints of misconduct.  Of the 48 contacts, the following findings were made:

• Unfounded                             6
• Exonerated                              3                     
• Sustained                                3                                 
• Not Sustained                         3         
• Withdrawn                              6         
• Pending                                   0
• No Misconduct Alleged         27

In the same reporting period, 2014, officers of the Columbia Police Department received 47 compliments from members of the public.

In 2014, the Columbia Police Department initiated 32 internal complaints of misconduct.  Of the 32 internal complaints, the following findings were made:

• Unfounded                             3         
• Exonerated                              1         
• Sustained                                22       
• Not Sustained                         0                     
• Withdrawn                              2
• Pending                                   4

[1] Sec. 21-45. - Definitions. Complaint means a written statement alleging misconduct of a police officer or community service aide involving interaction with the public.