SPD leadership speak on use of force

Sheridan Police Department Chief Travis Koltiska and Captain Tom Ringley made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to discuss the use of force by officers in the SPD. 

Captain Ringley said use of force is defined as conduct on the part of a police officer designed to assist the officer in controlling a situation or the actions or behavior of a person or persons. 

Officers are authorized to use the amount of objectively reasonable force in light of facts and circumstances confronting them to accomplish lawful objectives at the time of the incident. An officer’s presence is a use of force as are verbal commands. Other levels of force include intermediate force and deadly force. 

Capt. T. Ringley

Protecting the life, rights and property of the public is the responsibility of each SPD officer. Ringley said that includes the rights of those suspected of a crime or those who have even assaulted an officer.

SPD Officers are trained to use measures to enforce compliance or de-escalate violent situations and preserve human life. Officers wear body cameras to record incidents and every use of force, no matter the level, is reviewed by SPD leadership to ensure proper judgment by the SPD officers.

In years past, officers were expected to follow a scale, systematically increasing the level of force to meet the threat level. The SPD Chief said that has changed. 

Chief T. Koltiska 

Koltiska said the training has shifted to training situational awareness and reaction as well as techniques to de-escalate violence before it occurs. 

The Chief and Captain both reiterated there are exceptions to every rule. When those exceptions present themselves, vigilance and training in proper use of force tactics can save lives.