SPD leadership talks use of force

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

Chief Koltiska spoke on a definition of force as it applies to the PD. 

Chief T. Koltiska 

The SPD applies their presence on scene as a use of force as well as any verbal command given to the public or an alleged perpetrator during a call. 

Chief T. Koltiska 

Should the situation call for further escalation of force, either upon arrival or because an individual refuses to obey verbal commands from the officer, force is increased. 

Chief T. Koltiska 

Other levels of force include, intermediate force and deadly force.

According to Captain Ringley, intermediate force involves the use of less lethal weapons against a person and forcibly subduing that individual with the assistance of said less than lethal weapons until resistance is overcome. These less lethal weapons include the taser, a baton, and oleoresin capsicum spray – better known as pepper spray. 

Deadly Force- May be used by officers when they reasonably believe that the action is necessary in defense of human life, either public or self.

Officers are trained to use these measures to enforce compliance or de-escalate violent situations and preserve human life. Officers also 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. 

And situations differ for various officers and offenders, the Captain said. Whereas an offender may listen to a larger officer, the offender may not give the same compliance to one of smaller stature. 

Capt. T. Ringley 

Sheridan Media will have more from the conversation on the SPD use of force in future stories.