YPD's use of force falls 3 percent in 2015

YOUNGSTOWN

From tackling a fleeing suspect to using their electronic stun weapons, city officers used force 90 times in 2015, statistics compiled by the police department show.

That marks a 3 percent decrease from 2014, says staff Inspector Lt. Brian Butler, who also heads the Internal Affairs Division.

In all of the 2015 cases, officers were found to have followed the department’s use-of-force policy. Butler said the department received two complaints last year from citizens alleging use of excessive force, both of which were investigated and ruled unfounded.

Butler and Police Chief Robin Lees said the department never waits for a complaint, however, to investigate a case of force. The officer involved makes a separate report that is reviewed by that officer’s sergeant, who is in charge of that officer’s particular beat.

After that review is completed, the lieutenant in charge of that shift then does an investigation before it goes to internal affairs, which gives a final review of the officer’s actions.

Butler said reports are made at each instance and kept so they can be reviewed periodically to detect any trends and to tailor ongoing training toward those trends. Lees said if the internal review finds an officer violated departmental policy, that officer will be disciplined, even without a complaint from a citizen.

Officers on midnight turn had the most use-of-force cases, with 44 percent of the cases.

Read more about the matter in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.