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Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy WOODBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT 1060 Mt. Hood Avenue, Woodburn, Oregon 97071 Phone: (503) 982-2345 FAX: (503) 982-2371 Woodburn Police Department Annual Use of Force & Vehicle Pursuit Report 2024 Use of Force The goal of the Woodburn Police Department is to resolve each call for service safely and peacefully. While most police service calls end with no physical force used, a small number of contacts require physical force to resolve the situation. The Woodburn Police Department’s use of force is guided by department policy, state and federal law, from a reasonable officer’s perspective and based upon the totality of the circumstances at the time the force was used. The Woodburn Police Department has several policies that outline the types of devices and techniques officers can use and the circumstances for use, including: • Use of Force • Control Devices and Techniques • Conducted Energy Device • Firearms • Vehicle Pursuits • Canine Program After each use of force incident, the involved Police Officer(s) are required to document the event in a Use of Force Report. The report is reviewed by the department’s supervisory and command staff. At the end of each year, this annual Use of Force and Vehicle Pursuit Report is completed for review by the Chief of Police, Command Staff and survival skills instructor cadre. This report is used to evaluate current trends and techniques to address any training, equipment needs, or policy changes. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Second Year Review of New Use of Force Reporting Program, Data Analytics Software and Court-Ordered Expungements and Criminal Records Sealing Impacts on Data Comparisons Beginning in 2023, the Woodburn Police Department transitioned into a digital use of force reporting software, moving away from paper-based reports used in previous years. The software program has a variety of features that capture use of force information along with producing use of force summary reports, advanced reporting, and “dashboard” views of use of force encounters. This allows supervisors and survival skills instructors to review use of force incidents and events throughout the year and to improve the accuracy of data collection in use of force reporting. The software program has automated and advanced reporting capabilities that capture the same or similar use of force data as in previous annual use of force reports. The program also groups, categorizes and/or presents the use of force information in a variety of formats for annual use of force reports. The most significant change in this and the previous annual use of force report would be the redefinition of use of force “incidents” when compared to a use of force “event”. In this and continuing annual use of force reports, an “event” is defined as a single call for service where force was utilized, regardless of the number of officers that may have used force. The use of force incident(s) is the number of use of force techniques utilized by one or more officers during a single use of force event. When comparing this and the previous annual report to previous years, this redefinition is an important distinction. Any comparison with pre-2024 published reports, should be reviewed with these changes in mind. Therefore, and expectedly, there will be more incidents involving use of force than events since it is not uncommon for multiple officers to be present when force must be utilized to resolve a potentially dangerous situation as quickly and safely as possible for officers and subjects alike. Additionally, there may be data points and/or categorizations that have been changed or modified to ensure compliance with policy reporting changes. Any changes or modifications to data capture/reporting will be noted in the appropriate section of this report. The Woodburn Police Department has also continued the use of a data analytics software program that allows for more accurate data aggregation, data queries and data presentation involving police calls for service and arrests. The analytic software program works with our current report management system which has been utilized to conduct data queries, provide statistics, and gather information for annual use of force reports. The data analytics software reduces the need to conduct time-consuming “hand” review of individual cases, incidents, police arrests for data verification and reduces the chances of human error. Another consideration regarding year-to-year comparison of data is recent law changes in expungements and sealing of criminal records. These law changes have dramatically increased the amount of expungements and sealing of criminal records that no longer require an individual to petition the courts for removal/destruction of their personal criminal record. Timelines for court-ordered expungements and sealing of criminal ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy records have also been significantly decreased. Due to this, recreating year-to-year comparison of use of force events/incident versus overall police calls for service and arrests will invariably differ the further back in years, comparisons are made since expungements and criminal record sealings effectively “destroy” any record from our criminal justice records pursuant to law. Use of Force Events 2022-2024 In 2024, the Woodburn Police Department responded to approximately 14,623 calls for service, which was a decrease of 133 calls for service when compared to 2023. The number of arrests from 2023 to 2024 increased by 122 (14%) for a total of 1,212 subjects arrested and 52 use of force events. For 2024, use of force events occurred at a rate of 1 use of force event for every 19 arrests. Chart 1 Table 1 Use of Force Events 2022-2024 Year Events % + or - 2022 38 -12% 2023 64 68% 2024 52 -19% Chart 1 shows the number of annual use of force events for the last three years Table 1 shows the yearly increase or decrease from the previous year. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Table 2 Rates of Force Events Per Arrest Year # of Arrests # Involving Force Rate 2022 902 38 1 in 24 2023 1,024 64 1 in 16 2024 1,212 63 1 in 19 Force Data The Woodburn Police Department records certain information from each use of force report. Gender, intoxication, suspect injury, officer injury, and the types of force used are captured in the following charts and graphs. Chart 2 Table 2 shows the rate of arrests made per year and those involving the use of force. Chart 2 compares the number of force events involving female vs male for a three-year period comparison. Of note, ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Mental Condition and/or Impairment Intoxication levels and mental condition are often a key factor when a subject becomes non-compliant, which can result in the need of the officer to utilize force to make a lawful stop, detention, or arrest. The following table indicates when officers observed the following mental conditions and/or substance impairment when force was used with a subject in 2024 and 2023. Table 3 Mental Condition and/or Impairment for Subjects 2024 2023 Mentally Impaired 6 14 Suspected Alcohol or Drugs 33 32 Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs 11 16 Table 3 represents the number incidents of self-reported use of alcohol, drugs or mental condition by subjects and/or officer observations. Multiple observations involving mental condition and substance impairment can be noted for the same individual. Of note, in 2023, with the new use of force reporting platform change a comparison to previous years was not made due to the difference in information aggregation and categorization. This report includes a comparison with 2024 and 2023. Future reports will have a three-year comparison. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Types of Reported Use of Force Officers must report any use of force used that could or would likely cause injury to the suspect. Table 4 shows the type of force used in each use of force event in 2023. Table 4 Physical Control and Firearm/CED Displayed by Frequency/Incidents Year 2024 2023 Firearm Displayed 34 20 CED Displayed 16 17 Bean Bag Shotgun 1 N/A Arm Bar 11 5 Takedown 8 4 K9 (Apprehension/bite) 1 4 Focus Blows 1 2 CED Use (Stun and Probe) 1 11 Wrist Lock 6 10 Shoulder Lock 4 5 Other 8 13 Pressure Point N/A 2 Spit Hood N/A 2 Handcuffs 1 2 Hair Hold 2 3 Hair Takedown 1 N/A Joint Lock – Other 2 2 Table 4 represents the type of force used and the number of each technique or device was used per reporting officer in 2024 and 2023. Of note, in 2023, with the new use of force reporting platform change a comparison to previous years was not made due to the difference in information aggregation and categorization. In future reports a three-year comparison will be conducted. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy WRAP Restraint In 2022, the Woodburn Police Department began using the WRAP restraint system. The WRAP restraint system is used to safely and effectively immobilize a subject who is continuously combative and/or actively attempting self-harm prior to transport to jail or transfer to medical personnel. The use of the WRAP restraint system is designed to keep officers and a subject(s) protected by reducing the possibility of injury and death. The WRAP restraint system is designed to be applied with no less than two officers. In 2024, there were fourteen reported uses of the WRAP restraint system. Table 5 Canine (K9) Program The Woodburn Police Department has a K9 program consisting of two patrol protection/apprehension canines. The K9 can be deployed in two ways. The first is to track and apprehend a fleeing subject. The second is a show of force to a non-compliant subject. Anytime the K9 deployment results in the canine apprehending (biting) a subject, the incident is considered a use of force, therefore requires reporting. Table 6 Use of WRAP Restraint Year # of Uses 2022 1 2023 5 2024 14 Patrol K9 Team Deployments Year # of Deployments # of Captures # of Deployments resulting in a canine bite % of Deployments resulting in a canine bite 2022 20 3 0 0% 2023 48 14 4 8.3% 2024 35 21 1 2.9% Table 5 shows the difference in use of the WRAP restraint system from 2022-2024. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Conducted Energy Device The Woodburn Police Department utilizes a Conducted Energy Device (CED) as a force option. The CED can be utilized in four ways. Two of the options are considered mere presence and the others are considered a physical use of force. The laser of the CED can be activated showing the subject where the CED probes are targeted. The spark demo is when the probe cartridge(s) is removed and the CED is triggered. The CED’s electrodes produce an arc across metal conductors giving off a spark as a visual demonstration to gain compliance from a subject who is or may become combative. The probe mode is when the two CED probes are fired from the device at a subject. The thin insulated wires connected to the CED’s metal probes deliver an electrical waveform to attempt to cause neuro muscular incapacitation. The drive stun mode is when the CED is pressed against the subject’s body, sending the electrical waveform from the CED itself and is utilized as a form of pain compliance. Table 7 CED Use (Probe or Drive Stun) and Arrests Involving CED’s Year CED Use Arrests % of Arrest & CED’s 2022 4 902 0.4% 2023 11 1,024 1% 2024 1 1,212 .08% Table 7 shows the percentage of CED use per arrest. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Injuries reported in Use of Force Incidents Injuries can occur to both officers and subjects during use of force events. Data shows that officers report fewer injuries than subjects during a use of force event. The following table represents the number of officers and subjects reporting injury during a use of force event. Table 8 For 2024, 93% of the time during a use of event, officers did not report injuries. For subjects, 83% of them were reported as uninjured during a use of force incident. Days and hours of the Week Table 9 displays the number of police service calls where force was used, and Table 10 displays the number of use of force incidents during each work shift. Table 9 Table 10 Use of Force Incidents Reported by Day of the Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 4 13 10 14 13 14 12 Officer and Subject Reported Injuries Year 2024 2023 Officer Injured 5 6 Subject Injured 13 14 Use of Force Events by Shift Year Day Shift Night Shift Total 2024 19 33 52 Table 8 shows the number of officers and subjects reporting injury after a use of force event. Of note, for 2023, with the new use of force reporting software, specific type of injury to officer or subject is no longer captured as a data point. Therefore, this year’s report compares 2024 and 2023, reported injuries. Future reports will contain a three-year comparison. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Breakdown of Officer Use of Force Chart 3 Chart 3 provides the breakdown of use of force incidents that occurred in 2024. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Vehicle Pursuits The Woodburn Police Department reports and reviews each vehicle pursuit. Vehicle pursuits are inherently dangerous to the community, the pursuing officer(s) and the pursued subject(s). Each vehicle pursuit is unique and poses a wide variety of risks and outcomes. Vehicle pursuits are closely monitored and reviewed to ensure best practices and training are adhered to. There has been a growing trend by law enforcement agencies throughout the country in instituting more restrictive pursuit policies. This is due in part because of case law, litigation, and community expectations regarding use of force and law enforcement vehicle pursuits. The annual report is used by the Chief of Police and Command Staff to evaluate the department’s pursuit training, response, and liability for each vehicle pursuit. In 2022, pursuits decreased by 50%, with 4 initiated pursuits. In 2023, pursuits decreased by 50%, with 2 pursuits reported. In 2024, there was an increase of 150% from 2023, and 24% increase from 2022. In 2023, 1 pursuit was terminated (discontinued) by a supervisor and 4 pursuits concluded with the driver placed under arrest. Table 11 Vehicle Pursuits by Year Year # of Pursuits % + or - 2022 4 -50% 2023 2 -50% 2024 5 150% Table 11 shows the year-to-year comparison and any yearly increase/decrease in vehicle pursuits. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Chart 4 Additional facts for 2024 vehicle pursuits: • 2 occurred during dayshift and 3 occurred during • 2 occurred on a Friday, 1 occurred on a Wednesday, a Thursday and a Saturday. • There were no injuries reported. A concerning factor with pursuits is in how they end. Vehicle pursuits may end in either a termination or conclusion. Terminations occur when the pursuing officers stop their attempt to apprehend the suspect. Conclusion is when the suspect vehicle stops and is no longer moving. Any officer or supervisor can make the decision to terminate a vehicle pursuit at any point. Pursuits are terminated for a variety of reasons. Often because the risk of apprehension does not rise to the level of the associated dangers of continuing to pursue. Officer(s) must deactivate all emergency equipment and end their attempt to apprehend the suspect upon termination of a pursuit. The conclusion of a pursuit also occurs when the suspect vehicle stops on its own, stopped by intervention techniques (i.e. stop sticks or pursuit intervention technique), or the suspect vehicle becomes disabled. Chart 4 shows the top speed reached by a subject fleeing from police in 2024. ---PAGE BREAK--- Integrity ˖ Respect ˖ Empathy Chart 5 2024 Conclusion All use of force events/incidents and vehicle pursuits were determined to be within policy and in compliance with state and federal laws. Chart 5 shows how each pursuit in 2024 was resolved.