CPD Internal Affairs Unit releases 2016 annual Internal Affairs Report

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

The Columbia Police Department has finalized our 2016 year-end report from the Internal Affairs Unit; this report is available below and on our website at www.CoMo.gov/Police. Internal Affairs Sergeant Brian Tate will be available TOMORROW, March 2 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 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] or at (573) 817-5049.

During 2016, Columbia police officers were dispatched to 74,566 calls for service in the City of Columbia.  In addition, officers self-initiated an additional 76,308 calls/incidents, for a total of 150,874 calls/incidents, for a 2.8% increase from 2015 (146,683 total calls in 2015).  In the same time period CPD officers made 4,836 arrests, for a 11.1% increase from 2015 (4,351 arrests). Of the 150,874 calls/incidents, 3.1% resulted in an arrest.

• Citizen contacts: 150,874
• Arrests:             4,836

Sworn personnel of the Columbia Police Department follow strict guidelines and policy in regards to responding to resistance.  These guidelines and policies are based upon best practice and case law.  Officers are required to use only the response to resistance that reasonably appears necessary when overcoming resistance, given the facts and circumstances at the time of the event.  During 2016, officers used the following actions to overcome resistance.

• Joint Manipulation
• Kinetic Energy Impact Device
• Strikes
• Pepper Spray
• Handcuffing
• Pressure Point Technique
• Other Physical Force
• Balance Displacement
• Taser Deploy/Drive Stun
• Taser Laser/Arc Display
• Drawing/Exhibit Firearm
• Canine Apprehension
• Restraint Chair
• Armored Personnel Carrier
• Canine Display
• Canine Bite

Officers overcame resistance in 391 incidents (0.25% of all citizen contacts) during 2016. 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 8% of arrests. The following details the total number of techniques used by officers during the 391 incidents that resulted in responses to resistance:

• Officers used joint manipulation on 79 occasions.
• Officers used a Kinetic Energy Impact Device on 1 occasion.
• Officers used strikes on 20 occasions.
• Officers used pepper spray on 30 occasions.
• Officers used canine bites on 3 occasions.
• Officers handcuffed subjects on 205 occasions (without resulting in a formal arrest).
• Officers used "Impact Weapon Other" on 0 occasions.
• Officers used a Taser® on 57 occasions.
• 24 Taser® Deployment/Drive Stun
• 33 Laser Display/Arc Display/Exhibit Taser®
• Officers used pressure point techniques on 8 occasions.
• Officers used other physical force 49 occasions.
• Officers used balance displacement on 158 occasions.
• Officers drew/exhibited their firearms on 162 occasions.
• Officers fired their weapon in defense of self or others on 0 occasions
• Officers used the Restraint chair on 3 occasions
• Officers used a K9 for Apprehension on 1 occasion

• Officers displayed a K9 as a show of force on 10 occasions
• Officers used the Armored Personnel Carrier on 10 occasions

In 2016, 0 (Zero) of the above incidents have been found to be "Improper."  (1 is still pending IA Investigation)

Of the 150,874 citizen contacts, the Columbia Police Department received 66 complaints (0.04% 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 neither 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 66 complaints, the following findings were made:

• Unfounded 23       
• Exonerated 20       
• Sustained 6         
• Not Sustained 3
• Withdrawn 11
• Pending 3

The top three external complaints in 2016 are as follows:

• 3.3 (20) Discourteous, disrespectful or discriminatory treatment.
• 2 (b) (7) Take any appropriate law enforcement action.
• 5.1 Medical aid during detention.

In addition the Columbia Police Department initiated 25 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. Of the 25 investigations, the following findings were made:

• Unfounded 6
• Exonerated 4                     
• Sustained 3                                 
• Not Sustained 2         
• Withdrawn 5         
• Pending 0
• No Misconduct Alleged 5

The top three complaints in 2016 that did not meet the definition of a complaint as defined by Section 21-45 of City Ordinance are as follows:

• 3.3 (20) Discourteous, disrespectful or discriminatory treatment.
• 3.3 Conduct (7) Criminal, dishonest, or disgraceful conduct adversely affecting the member/employer relationship
• 2 Contacts, Detentions, and Field Interviews Policy-citizens to be free from unreasonable detentions or searches.

In the same reporting period, 2016, officers of the Columbia Police Department received 116 compliments from members of the public.

In 2016, the Columbia Police Department initiated 40 internal complaints of misconduct.  Of the 40 internal complaints, the following findings were made:

• Unfounded 3         
• Exonerated 2    
• Sustained 28
• Not Sustained 4
• Withdrawn 0
• Pending 2
• No Misconduct Alleged 0 
• Duplicated 1[1]

• The top three Internal generated complaints in 2016 are as follows:

  • 3, Vehicle Pursuit, Officer Responsibilities: exceeded the posted speed limit by more than 20 miles per hour
  • 3.1 Pursuit - Seriousness of the known or reasonably suspected crime and its relationship to community safety.
  • 3.3 (23) On or off duty conduct which is unbecoming a member of the Department.

       

  [1] Originally Internal generated complaint, citizen later initiated complaint on same incident

[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.