MONTGOMERYCOUNTYPOLICEDEPARTMENT

POLICYANDPLANNINGDIVISION

APRIL2016

ANNUALUSEOFFORCEREPORT2015

TABLEOFCONTENTS

SECTION PAGEChief’sMessage 1Introduction 2Overview 3Analysis 4UseofForcebyDistrict 6ActivityWhenForcewasUsed 8OffensesWhereForcewasUsed 10TypeofForceUsedbyOfficersandDefendants 11InjuriestoOfficersandDefendants 18MedicalTreatmentforOfficersandDefendants 20OfficersAssaulted/Ambushed 23ContributingFactors 24Age‐Race‐EthnicityandGenderofDefendantsandOfficers 26YearsonDepartmentofOfficers 36AllegationsandInvestigations 38In‐CustodyDeaths 38DeadlyForceIncidents 38Summary 40

*4/26/16 - A map showing the locations of ECD use by Police Reporting Area (PRA) has been added to the ECD Use Section on Page 18.

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Chief’sMessage:RecenteventsinFerguson,MissouriandBaltimore,MarylandbegananationwidediscussiononPoliceuseof force,especiallytheuseofdeadlyforce.Today,thepublic—allsegmentsofourcommunity—ispaying much closer attention to the actions of their policedepartment.Iamfrequentlyaskedquestionsaboutourpolicies,ourtraining,andhow members of the Department are held accountable for theiractions.While I believewe have a very strong use of force policy,Function Code 131, and stress de‐escalation techniques in ourtraining, the fact remains that police officers occasionally mustengage a person physically either to take them into custody, toprotectthem,ortorestoresafetyandordertoasituation.

Any use of force must always be lawful and objectively reasonable. The objectively reasonablestandard requirespoliceofficers’ actions tobe reasonable in lightof the facts and circumstancespresented to theofficerat the time the forcewasused.Over theyears, theuseof forcebypoliceofficershaschanged,andthepoliciesandtraininghaveimproved.Experiencehastaughtusthatweneededtofocusmoreonnon‐lethaloptionsanddealingeffectivelywithfolkswhoarementallyill.Ibelieve that our Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) has had a profound impact on reducing thenumberofuseofforcecasesinvolvingpeoplewithmentalillness.Every use of force is reviewed by a supervisor and a police Commander. Every excessive forcecomplaint is investigated by the Internal Affairs Division. As you will see in this report, theMontgomeryCountyPoliceusedsomelevelofforceinabout2.5percentofthearrestswemadein2015.Thevastmajority(82percent)ofourusesofforcewereofficersusingonlytheirhands.Thiscouldmeananythingfromgrabbingandguidingapersonwhoispassivelyresisting,toengaginginaviolentstruggle togaincontrolofan individual. Therewasone incidentwhereanofficeruseddeadlyforcewhichresultedinnocivilianfatalities.Theofficerfiredoneshotintoavehiclewhichacceleratedtowardstheofficerafterissuingcommandsforthevehicletostop.Thevehiclestrucktheofficer,butluckilytheofficersustainedonlyminor,non‐lifethreateninginjuries.AsIreviewedthisreport,Iwaspleasedtoseethatnoin‐custodydeathsoccurredin2015,anduseofElectronicControlDevicesdecreasedby6%comparedto2014,and65.5%since2011.Ididnote,however, assaults on officers increased 23% in 2015,with 128 officers sustaining some type ofinjuryduringauseofforceincident.Accountabilityandtransparencyarenecessaryelementstobuildingconfidenceandtrustbetweenpoliceand thecommunityweserve. Thisreportandothers like itareoneofmanywaysweareworkingtobuildandsustainthattrust.Thereisagreatdealofinformationcontainedinthisreport.SomeofitmaypromptotherquestionsfromyouandIencourageyoutocontactmeviae‐mail[MCPDChief@montgomerycountymd.gov]andwewillrespondtoyourinquiries.

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INTRODUCTIONThe information presented in this annual report is obtained from the Use of Force reportscompletedbyofficersforincidentsincalendaryear2015wheresometypeofforcewasused.Thisreportisintendedtoprovideanoverviewoftheincidentsinvolvinguseofforcebypoliceofficersandtoalsoidentifytrendsoranytrainingareasthatneedtobeaddressed.Becauseeachreportisreviewed by supervisors and command staff at various levelswithin the department, individualeventsarenotcapturedinthisreport,exceptforthosethatmayinvolveunusualcircumstancesorneedfurtherclarification.Moreover,thereportingandannualanalysisofdepartmentuseofforcepolicies and procedures is required by the Commission on Accreditation for Law EnforcementAgencies (CALEA) to help agencies identify policy modifications, trends, improve training andofficersafety,andprovidetimelyinformationfortheagencytoaddressuseofforceissueswiththecommunityitserves.MontgomeryCountypoliceofficersreceiveextensiveentry‐levelandin‐servicetrainingfocusedonusing only the amount of force necessary to control an incident, affect an arrest, or protectthemselves or others from harm or death as specified in department policy and procedures. Anintegralcomponentofthesetrainingprogramsiscommunication,de‐escalationtechniques,anduseof less lethal options to help safely diffuse situations that may unnecessarily escalate tocircumstancesrequiringofficerstoresorttodeadlyforce.Officersmay only use force which is objectively reasonable to make an arrest; an investigatorystop/detentionorotherseizure;orintheperformanceoftheirlawfulduties,toprotectthemselvesorothersfrompersonalattack,physicalresistance,harm,ordeath.Thedecisiontoexerciseforcemustbebaseduponthecircumstancesthattheofficerreasonablybelievestoexist.Indeterminingtheappropriatelevelofforcetobeusedbyanofficer,thenatureofthethreatorresistancefacedorperceivedbytheofficerascomparedtotheforceemployedshouldbeconsidered.However,officersmust sometimesmakesplit‐seconddecisionsabout theamountof force that isnecessary in a particular situationwith limited information and in circumstances that are tense,uncertain, and rapidly evolving.Nevertheless,when it ispracticable, officers strive to alwaysde‐escalateasituationbeforeresortingtousinganytypeofforce.Theneed to use force,whether deadly ornon‐deadly, isoneofthemost demanding and criticaldecisionsthatalawenforcementofficermustmake.Thedepartmentrespectsthesanctityofeveryhuman life and the application of deadly force is ameasure only employed in themost extremecircumstances. Perdepartmentpolicy, anofficer is required tocompleteaMCP37 ‐UseofForceReport, andanincidentreport,foranincidentthatinvolvesanyofthefollowingcircumstances: Anytime forceisusedtocounteractaphysical struggle

Followingtheuseofanyforcewhichresults inaninjurytoanindividual

Whenanindividualclaimstohavebeeninjuredasaresultofuseofforce

Whenever forceisappliedusingaprotective instrument

Wheneverafirearmisdischargedotherthanauthorizedtargetpractice

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Whenever a department canine inflicts injury on any subject or suspect in conjunctionwithasearch,arrest,orattemptedapprehension

Anytimeanofficerisassaultedorambushed

All reports are reviewed to verify compliance with department policy by a patrol supervisor, aDistrictCommander,andtheAssistantChiefsofthePatrolServicesBureau(PSB),theFieldServicesBureau (FSB), or the Investigative ServicesBureau (ISB), depending on the bureau the officer(s)usingforceisassignedto.

TheMontgomeryCountyDepartment of Police remains dedicated to creating a culture of safety,transparency, andaccountability.Thedepartment’suseof force training goesbeyondaddressinguse of force options, levels of resistance, and case law.Most importantly, it emphasizes gainingcompliancethroughunderstandingofpsychologicalfactorsandusingcommunicationskillstode‐escalatesituationswhenpossible,andtominimizetheforceused.Theconceptsofaccountability,professionalism,andintegrityforallofficersarewovenintotheagency’sentiretrainingprogram.

OVERVIEW

Based on a comprehensive review and analysis of the use of force reports submitted by MCPDofficers in 2015, the following are highlights of the results that are detailed in various sectionsthroughoutthisreport:

MCPDofficersreportedatotalof451useofforceincidents.

Forcewasusedbyofficersinlessthanonepercentofthetotalcallsforservice.

Forcewasonlyusedin2.5percentofallarrestsmadebyofficers.

Fourdistrictsexperiencedanincreaseinthenumberofreporteduseofforceincidentsfromthepreviousyear,whiletwodistrictsreportedadecrease.

Making arrests (or attempting tomake arrests), serving emergency evaluation petitions,anddefendingagainstassaultsconstitutedapproximately95percentoftheincidentswheresometypeofforcewasnecessarytobeused.

Officersresponding toreportsofassaultsaccounted foralmost42percentofall reporteduseofforceincidents,whichisasignificantincreasecomparedtothepreviousyear.

Calls for service involving assaults, narcotics/DUI offenses, and disorderly conductaccountedforapproximatelytwo‐thirdsofallreporteduseofforceincidents.

Thetypeofforcemostcommonlyusedbyofficerswashands,whichwasusedin82percentofuseofforceincidents,anditwasalsothemostcommontypeofforceusedagainstofficersbydefendants(78percent).

UseofElectronicControlDevices(ECDs)decreased6percentfromthepreviousyear.

Injuriessustainedbyofficersincreased6percentfromthepreviousyear,whileinjuriestodefendantsincreasedlessthanonepercent(0.8).

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Officers reported being injured in 28 percent of reported use of force incidents, anddefendantswereinjured(orclaimedtobeinjured)in54percentofincidents.

Officersrequiredmedicaltreatmentin42percentofthereporteduseofforceincidents,anddefendantsrequiredtreatmentin47percentofincidents.

In65percentoftheincidentswhereofficersemployedsometypeofforce,thedefendantswerereportedtobeundertheinfluenceofalcoholand/ordrugs.

Thenumberofreportedassaultsonofficersincreasedalmost23percentcomparedtothepreviousyear.

Defendantssufferingfromsomeformofmental illnesswereinvolvedin27percentofthereporteduseof forceincidents,anincreaseofalmost3percentcomparedtothepreviousyear.

87percentofthedefendantsinvolvedinuseofforceincidentswereAfricanAmericanandCaucasian.

Defendants ages 18‐39 accounted for almost 70 percent of the reported use of forceincidents.

Theaverageageofthedefendantsinvolvedinuseofforceincidentswas30,andtheaverageageoftheofficersinvolvedintheseincidentswas33.

78percentofthedefendantsand89percentoftheofficersinvolvedinreporteduseofforceincidentsweremale.22percentofthedefendantsand11percentoftheofficersinvolvedinreporteduseofforceincidentswerefemale.

67 percent of the officers involved in use of force incidents served on the departmentbetweenoneto10years.

There were 12 use of force‐related complaints made against officers compared to 10complaintsthepreviousyear.

Deadly force was only used in one incident, compared to three incidents reported thepreviousyear.

Noin‐custodydeathsoccurred.

ANALYSISThepopulationinMontgomeryCountyin2014,basedonU.S.CensusBureaudata,isestimatedat1,030,447,andthecrimeratepercapitaremainsverylow;5,057crimesforevery100,000people.In 2015,Montgomery County police officerswere dispatched to 209,207 calls for service,made17,682 arrests, and forcewas only used in 451 incidents. This translates to force being used inapproximately0.22percentofthetotalcallsforservice,andonly2.5percentofarrestsituations.

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The incidencerateof theuseof forcecomparedto thecalls forserviceandarrestshasremainedrelativelyconsistentsince2012(anaverageof0.21percentofthecallsforserviceandtwopercentofarrests). This data reflects that, for the overwhelming majority of calls for service and arrestsituations,officersarerarelyrequiredtouseforcetosafelyresolveasituation.

Thefollowingchartprovidesadistrictsummaryofcalls forservice,reportedcrimes,arrests,anduseofforceincidentsreportedin2015.

2015SUMMARY

DISTRICT TOTALCALLSFORSERVICE

TOTALCRIMEREPORTED*

TOTALARRESTS TOTALUSEOFFORCEINCIDENTS

1D 32,101 6,568 1,656 22

2D 33,317 7,168 1,813 63

3D 42,635 11,283 4,630 140

4D 41,104 10,224 4,632 95

5D 25,706 6,135 1,911 71

6D 34,344 9,054 3,040 60

TOTAL 209,207 50,432 17,682 451*IncludesPartIandPartIIOffensesreportedinaccordancewiththeUniformCrimeReporting(UCR)Program.

17,682

451

USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS VS.ARRESTS

Arrests Use of Force Incidents

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USEOFFORCEBYDISTRICTAsummaryofthecallsforserviceforeachdistrictbasedonavailabledataforthelastfouryearsispresentedinthetablebelow.

NUMBEROFDISPATCHEDCALLSFORSERVICE*DISTRICT LOCATION 2012 2013 2014 2015

1D Rockville 38,938 34,650 31,710 32,101

2D Bethesda 31,864 34,576 32,777 33,317

3D SilverSpring 43,592 43,048 40,684 42,635

4D Wheaton 40,421 41,662 39,117 41,104

5D Germantown 27,375 26,113 24,287 25,706

6D Gaithersburg 35,823 34,757 33,236 34,344

TOTAL 218,013 214,806 201,811 209,207***Thenumbersreflectedforeachdistrictdonotincludeanimalservices‐relatedcallsforservice**Representsanincreaseofapproximately4%from2014.In 2015, all districts experienced an increase in the number of use of force incidents that werereported compared to 2014, except for 4D and 6Dwhich experienced decreases (14%and 26%respectively)asshowninthechartbelow.

Note:Theuseofforceincidentreportsarebasedonthelocation(district)whereforcewasused,notnecessarilythedistrictthattheofficersareassignedtoorwheretheeventmayhaveoriginated.

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1D 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D

2014 18 40 107 111 61 81

2015 22 63 140 95 71 60

USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS BYDISTRICT OF OCCURRENCE

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Thetablebelowisasummaryofuseofforceincidentsbydistrictofoccurrencereportedfrom2011‐2015.

*Thistotaldoesnotincludetheuseofforcereportsfiledin2015byMCPDofficersfor231incidentswhereforcewasusedforanimaldestructions(primarilydeer).A fiveyear summaryof reporteduseof force incidents foreachpolicedistrict isprovided in thechartbelow.

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1D 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D

USE OF FORCE SUMMARY BYDISTRICT OF OCCURRENCE

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

DISTRICT 2011 2012 2013 2014 20151D 39 33 24 18 22

2D 63 55 64 40 63

3D 133 102 139 107 140

4D 122 138 131 111 95

5D 62 36 37 61 71

6D 63 69 86 81 60

TOTAL 482 433 481 418 451*

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The followingchart shows the totalnumberofuseof force incidents reportedcounty‐wide from2011‐2015.

Thisdatashowsthattherehasbeenanaverageof453useofforceincidentsreportedoverthelastfive years, and a 6 percent decrease in the overall number of incidents reported over this sameperiod.

ACTIVITYWHENFORCEWASUSEDIn2015,forcewasusedinapproximately318incidents(71percent)whenofficerswereinvolvedinmaking arrests for various offenses. The next highest reported activity, serving an emergencyevaluationpetition(EEP),accountedfor76incidents(17percent),followedbydefendinganassault,whichaccountedfor33incidents(7percent)wheresomelevelofforcewasnecessarytobeused.Othervariousactivitiessuchas transportingprisoners, servingsearchwarrants,and trafficstopsaccountedfortheremaining24incidents(5percent)reportedin2015.

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2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Incidents 482 433 481 418 451

USE OF FORCE INCIDENT SUMMARY2011‐ 2015

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Asummaryoftheseactivitiesispresentedinthechartbelow.

Thedatareportedin2015indicatesapproximatelythesameoveralltotals forthesecategoriesasreportedin2014asshownbelow.

In 2015, making or attempting to make an arrest, serving emergency evaluation petitions, anddefending against assaults accounted for 95 percent of the activities where officers needed toemploysometypeofforce,whichissimilartotheexperiencereportedforthesesamecategoriesin2014,andinprioryearsasshowninthechartonthenextpage.

318

76

3324

USE OF FORCE ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Making Arrests

Serving EmergencyEvaluation Petitions

Defending AgainstAssaults

Other

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100150200250300350

MakingArrests

ServingEmergencyEvaluationPetitions

DefendingAgainstAssaults

Other

USE OF FORCE ACTIVITY SUMMARY2015VS.2014

2015

2014

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OFFENSESWHEREFORCEWASUSEDOfficers responding to reports of assaults accounted for 187 of the total use of force incidentsreported in 2015 (41.5 percent), compared to 137 incidents (33 percent) reported in 2014, anincreaseof36.5percent.Otherleadingoffenseswhereforcewasusedin2015includedencounterswith subjects under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol (54), and disorderly conduct (56) asshowninthefollowingchart.

Assaults,narcotics/DUI‐relatedoffenses, anddisorderly conduct accounted for297 (66percent) ofthetotaluseofforceincidentsreportedin2015.Theremaining154incidents(34percent)involvednumerous other offenses including larceny, burglary, auto theft, vandalism, weapons offenses,trespassing,andothermiscellaneouscallsforservice.

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2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

USE OF FORCE ACTIVITY SUMMARY2011‐ 2015

Making Arrests

Serving EmergencyEvaluation Petitions

Defending AgainstAssaults

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Assaults Narcotics/DUIOffenses

DisorderlyConduct

2014 137 67 56

2015 187 54 56

OFFENSE TYPES2015VS.2014

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The chart below summarizes the offense typeswhere force used byofficerswasmost prevalentfrom2011–2015.

Overthe fiveyearperiodfrom2011‐2015, theneedtouse force insituations involvingassaultsincreased 6 percent,while incidents involving narcotics/DUI offenses decreased 29 percent, andcallsforserviceinvolvingdisorderlyconductwhereforcewasuseddecreased19percent.

TYPEOFFORCEUSEDBYOFFICERSANDDEFENDANTSOfficers

Thetypeofforcemostwidelyusedbyofficersin2015washands,whichwereused414times(82percent),comparedto344timesin2014,anincreaseof20percent.ElectronicControlDeviceswereused 59 times (13 percent of total use of force incidents), which are detailed in the ElectronicControlDevicesSectionofthisreport,comparedto63incidentsin2014,adecreaseof6percent.

OleoresinCapsicum(OC)Spraywasthenextmostcommontypeofforcenotedanditwasusedin15incidents (3percent), compared to27 incidents in2014, adecreaseof44percent.The flashlightwasusedin7incidents(1.4percent)in2015,comparedto14incidentsin2014,adecreaseof50percent.Policecaninesweredeployed in6 incidents (1.2percent), thesamenumberof incidentsreportedin2014.TheASP(expandablebaton)wasusedin3incidents(0.6percent),comparedto5incidentsin2014,adecreaseof40percent.

There was one incident involving the use of deadly force in 2015 (0.2 percent), which issummarized in theDeadly Force Incidents section of this report, compared to three incidentsreportedin2014,a67percentdecrease.

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Assaults 177 168 188 137 187

Narcotics/DUIOffenses

76 67 89 67 54

Disorderly Conduct 69 53 53 56 56

OFFENSE TYPES2011‐ 2015

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Thechartbelowshowsthebreakdownofthemostcommontypesofforceusedbyofficersin2015.

Note:Insomeinstances,morethanonetypeofuseofforcemaybeusedbymultipleofficersinanattempttoaffectanarrestorcontrolasituation.Duringmanycallsforservice,aprimaryofficerisdispatchedandatleastoneadditionalofficerrespondsasaback‐upunit.Itisimportanttopointoutthatinapproximately72percentofthecircumstanceswhereforcewasappliedin2015,twoormoreofficerswereinvolved.

The chart below summarizes the recurrent types of force used by officers in 2015 compared to2014.

414

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715

59

61

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TYPES OF FORCE USED BY OFFICERS

Hands

ASP Baton

Flashlight

OC Spray

ECD

Canine

Handgun

Other

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TYPES OF FORCE USED BY OFFICERS2015VS.2014

2015

2014

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Thechartbelowsummarizestherecurrenttypesofforceusedbyofficersfrom2011–2015.

DefendantsThemostcommontypeofforceusedbydefendantsagainstofficersin2015washandswhichwereused359times(78percent),comparedto323timesin2014,anincreaseof11percent.Thenextmostcommontypeof forceusedbydefendantswasfeetwhichwereused49times(11percent),comparedto56timesin2014,adecreaseof12.5percent.Incidentsinvolvingbitingand/orspittingatofficersoccurred13times(3percent),comparedto8timesin2014,adecreaseof38.5percent.Aknifewasusedbydefendantsintwoincidents(0.4percent),comparedto6incidentsin2014,adecreaseof67percent.Vehicleswerereportedusedintwoincidents(0.4percent),comparedtonoincidentsreportedin2014.Defendantsresistingarrestandusingtheirbodiestopushorpullawayfromofficers,andothertypesofforcenototherwisespecified,comprisedtheremainingpercentageofincidents(7.8percent)reportedin2015,aswasthecasein2014.

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TYPES OF FORCE USED BY OFFICERS2011‐ 2015

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

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Thechartbelowshows thebreakdownof themostcommontypesof forceusedbydefendants in2015.

Note:Insomeincidents,thereweremultipledefendantsthatusedmorethanonetypeofforceagainstofficers.

Thechartbelowsummarizestherecurrenttypesofforceusedbydefendantsin2015comparedto2014,whichisalsoconsistentwiththemostcommontypesofforceusedbydefendants in2011–2015.

359

49

132

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TYPES OF FORCE USED BY DEFENDANTS

Hands

Feet

Biting/Spitting

Vehicles

Knife

Other

050100150200250300350400

TYPES OF FORCE USED BY DEFENDANTS2015VS.2014

2015

2014

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ElectronicControlDevices(ECD)The department currently has 562ElectronicControlDevices (ECDs) that are issued to qualifiedofficersaftertheycompleteextensivetrainingandcertificationinitsuse.Inaddition,officersmustattend40hoursofCrisisInterventionTraining (CIT)beforeanECDcanbecarried.Oncecertified,officersarealsorequiredtocompleteannualrecertificationtrainingtobeauthorizedtocontinuetocarryanECD.In2015,anECDwasdeployed59times(13percentoftotaluseofforceincidents),comparedto63timesin20141,adecreaseof6percent.AbreakdownofECDdeploymentsandpercentagesofthetotaluseofforcereportsbydistrictfor2015isprovidedinthetablebelow.

2015

DISTRICTTOTALUSEOFFORCEINCIDENTSREPORTED ECDDEPLOYMENTS

%ECDDEPLOYMENTSOFTOTALUSEOFFORCEINCIDENTS

1D 22 4 182D 63 7 113D 140 19 144D 95 11 125D 71 6 96D 60 12 20

TOTAL 451 59 13

*Forpurposesofthischart,ECDuseisreportedbylocationoftheincident,notbydutyassignmentoftheofficer.

1 ThenumberofECDusesin2014wasrevisedto63afterreleaseofthe2014AnnualUseofForceReport.

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TYPES OF FORCE USED BY DEFENDANTS2011‐ 2015

2011

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2014

2015

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AchartsummarizingtheECDdatapresentedinthetableonthepreviouspageispresentedbelow.

ThechartbelowcomparesECDusebyDistrictfor2015and2014.

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1D 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D

Use of Force Reports 22 63 140 95 71 60

ECD Use 4 7 19 11 6 12

ECDUSE BY DISTRICT

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1D 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D

2015 4 7 19 11 6 12

2014 4 6 14 19 7 13

ECDUSE BY DISTRICT2015VS.2014

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ThechartbelowsummarizesECDuseforalldistricts(county‐wide)from2011–2015.

Since 2011, ECD deployments have decreased 65.5 percent. Since 2013, ECD deployments havedecreased60percent,while thenumberof officers trained and certifiedhas remained relativelyconstant(approximately44percentofthedepartment’sswornpersonnelcomplement).

ThemaponthefollowingpageshowsthelocationsofreportedECDusesbypolicereportingarea(PRA)foreachpolicedistrictfrom2011–2015.

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2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

ECD Use 171 115 148 63 59

ECDUSE2011‐ 2015

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ThisdatahighlightssignificantconcentrationsofTaserusebyofficersincertainareasofthe3rdand4thdistricts(50percentoftheTaserusesreportedfrom2011–2015),andsmallerconcentrationsofTaserusesreportedinspecificareasof5Dand6D.TheSilverSpringandWheatondistrictsarealsothedistrictswhereofficerstraditionallyrespondtothelargestnumberofcallsforservice,andthedistricts thataregenerally responsible for50percentormoreof thearrests reportedby thedepartmentonanannualbasis.

INJURIESTOOFFICERSANDDEFENDANTSIn2015,128officersreportedsustainingsometypeofinjury(ormultipleinjuries)duringauseofforce incident. This represents a 6 percent increase from 2014 when there were 121 reportedinjuriestoofficers.Thenumberofdefendantinjuriesincreasedfrom239injuriesreportedin2014to241injuriesin2015,a0.8percentincrease.

1D = Rockville 2D = Bethesda 3D = Silver Spring 4D = Wheaton 5D = Germantown 6D = Gaithersburg

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Note:Fordefendants,aninjuryisrecordedontheUseofForceReportregardlessofwhetheritisavisibleinjuryorthedefendantclaimsaninjury.

In2015,91percentofthereportedinjuriestoofficersinvolvedbruises/sorenessorlacerationsandabrasions. Similarly, 82percentof the injuries reported sustainedbydefendants (or claimsof aninjurybydefendants)alsoinvolvedbruises/sorenessorlacerationsandabrasions.ThechartbelowprovidesabreakdownoftheUseofForceReportsthatwerecompleted,thenumberofinjuriessustainedbyofficers,andthenumberofinjuriessustained(orclaimed)bydefendantsbydistrictofoccurrencein2015.

Basedonthe totaluseof force incidentsreportedbyalldistricts in2015,officersreportedbeinginjured in approximately 28 percent of use of force incidents, while defendants reported beinginjured(orclaimedbeinginjured)inapproximately54percentoftheincidents.

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OFFICER AND DEFENDANT INJURIES2015VS.2014

Officer Injuries

Defendant Injuries

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1D 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D

Total Force Incidents 22 63 140 95 71 60

Officer Injuries 17 16 26 17 24 28

Defendant Injuries 12 29 73 56 36 35

OFFICER AND DEFENDANT INJURIESDISTRICT SUMMARY

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Thefollowingchartshowsafiveyearsummaryofreportedofficeranddefendantinjuriesrelatedtoincidentswheresometypeofforcewasused.

Since2011, injuries to officershavedecreased approximately15percent, anddefendant injuries(orclaimsofinjuries),haveincreasedapproximately125percentduringthesametimeframe.Theaveragenumberofofficersreportedbeinginjuredforthisfiveyearperiodis133,andtheaveragenumberofdefendantssustainingorclaimingsometypeofinjuryis170.

MEDICALTREATMENTFOROFFICERSANDDEFENDANTSOfficersIn2015,54officers(42percent)requiredsomeformofmedicaltreatment(firstaidadministeredon scene ormedical follow‐up at a hospital), a 5 percent decrease compared to 2014 when 57officerssoughtsometypeofmedicaltreatment.Nineofficersthatreportedinjuriesin2015refusedtreatment(7percent).Thechartonthenextpageshowsthetypeofmedical treatmentneededforofficersasaresultofreportingbeinginjuredin2015.

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2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Officer Injuries 150 134 131 122 128

Defendant Injuries 107 92 169 239 241

OFFICER AND DEFENDANT INJURIES2011‐ 2015

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In one incident involving a bite, officers were requested to respond to assist fire and rescuepersonnel with an individual threatening them and exhibiting signs and symptoms of exciteddelirium.Astheofficersattemptedtocontrolthesubjectandplacehimintocustody,hebitdownon one of the officers’ fingers andwould not let go. Despite the extent of the injury, the officercontinued to attempt to gain control of the subject’s hands until he and other officers wereeventually able to handcuff the subject. The subject was transported to the hospital for anemergencyevaluationpetition.Thechartbelowsummarizes thenumberofofficers requiringmedical treatment(firstaidand/ortreatmentatahospital)forinjuriessustainedinuseofforceincidentsreportedfrom2011–2015.

Since2011,thenumberofofficersrequiringmedicaltreatmentforinjuriessustainedduringuseofforceincidentshasdecreased21percent.

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MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR OFFICERS2015VS.2014

First Aid

Hospital

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First Aid 48 44 40 35 29

Hospital 20 25 31 23 25

MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR OFFICERS2011‐ 2015

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DefendantsIn 2015, 114 defendants (47 percent) were transported to hospitals for some type of medicaltreatment, and70defendants (29percent)were treatedon‐scenewith first aid administeredbypoliceorfire/rescuepersonnel.Inaddition,43defendants(18percent)refusedanytypeofmedicaltreatment.Thisinformationissummarizedinthechartbelow.

Comparedto2014,thedatareportedfor2015associatedwithdefendantmedicaltreatmentreflectsadecreaseof37percentinthenumberofdefendantsrequiringfirstaid,a4percentincreaseinthenumber of defendants transported to hospitals for treatment, and a 54 percent increase in thenumberofdefendantsthatrefusedtreatment.The chart below summarizes the number of defendants requiring medical treatment (first aidand/ortreatmentatahospital)forinjuriessustained(orclaimed)inuseofforceincidentsreportedfrom2011–2015.

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DEFENDANT MEDICAL TREATMENT2015VS.2014

First Aid

Hospital

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2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

First Aid 113 87 108 111 70

Hospital 123 97 130 110 114

DEFENDANT MEDICAL TREATMENT2011‐ 2015

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Since2011,thenumberofdefendantsrequiringmedicaltreatmentforinjuriessustainedduringuseofforceincidents(orclaimsofaninjury)hasdecreased22percent.

OFFICERSASSAULTED/AMBUSHEDForstateandfederalreportingrequirements,thedepartmentcapturesinformationwhenanofficerreportsbeingassaultedorambushed.In2015,283officersreportedbeingassaulted,anincreaseof22.5percentcomparedto2014when231officersreportedbeingassaulted.Asummaryoftheseincidentsreportedbydistrictin2015isshownbelow.

Thechartbelowcomparesthenumberofofficersreportedbeingassaultedin2015and2014.

In2015,noofficersreportedbeingambushed,thesamenumberreportedin2014.

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Officers Assaulted 24 25 105 37 53 39

OFFICERS ASSAULTED

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200

250

300

2014 2015

Officers Assaulted 231 283

OFFICERS ASSAULTED2015VS.2014

24

The following chart is a five year summary of officers who reported being assaulted and/orambushed.

From2011–2015,thenumberofofficerswhoreportedbeingassaultedrelatedtoauseofforceincidentincreased13percent.

CONTRIBUTINGFACTORSInapproximately183(41percent)oftheuseofforceincidentsreportedin2015,defendantswerereportedtohaveconsumedalcohol,comparedto190incidentsin2014,adecreaseof4percent.Inaddition,someformofdruguse(otherthanalcohol)wasreportedin111incidents(25percent)in2015,comparedto109incidentsin2014,anincreaseof2percent.In65percentoftheincidentsreported in 2015 where officers employed some type of force, the defendants were under theinfluenceofalcoholand/ordrugs.In2015, 121defendants (27percent) encounteredbypolicewere reported tobe suffering fromsome form ofmental illness. This is a 2.5 percent increase compared to 2014when 118 of thereported incidents involved individuals suffering from some form of mental illness. The 121incidents involving defendants reported to be suffering from mental illness constitutesapproximately2percentofthetotaleventsclassifiedasmentalillness‐relatedin2015.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Officers Assaulted 250 225 252 231 283

Officers Ambushed 3 1 2 0 0

OFFICERS ASSAULTED/AMBUSHED2011‐ 2015

25

Thechartbelowisasummaryofthecontributingfactorsreportedin2015.

Note:Inseveralincidents,defendantswerereportedtobeundertheinfluenceofalcoholanddrugs,andinsomeinstances,alsosufferingfromsomeformofmentalillness.

It is also important to note that in some situations, defendants under the influence of alcoholand/ordrugsorsufferingfrommentalillness,maynotcomplywithanofficer’spresenceorverbalcommands,therebynecessitatingtheuseofsometypeofphysicalforcetogaincompliance.Thechartbelowshowsasummaryofthecontributingfactorsreportedin2015comparedto2014.

0

50

100

150

200

Alcohol Drugs Mental Illness

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

0255075

100125150175200

Alcohol Drugs Mental Illness

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS2015VS.2014

2015

2014

26

The followingchart showsa five‐year summaryofuseof force incidentswheredefendantswerereportedtobeundertheinfluenceofalcoholand/ordrugs,orsufferingfrommentalillness.

The data shows that over the five year period from 2011 – 2015, there has been a 20 percentdecreaseinthenumberofincidentswherealcoholwasacontributingfactor,a147percentincreaseintheincidentswheresometypeofdrug(s)wereinvolved,anda120percentincreaseinincidentswhereindividualsweresufferingfromsomeformofmentalillness.

AGE‐RACE‐ETHNICITYANDGENDEROFDEFENDANTSANDOFFICERSRace/EthnicityThe following chart shows a breakdown of the race/ethnicity of defendants for arrestsmade in2015.

0

50

100

150

200

250

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Alcohol 229 215 245 190 183

Drugs 45 34 134 109 111

Mental Illness 55 86 95 118 121

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS2011‐ 2015

050010001500200025003000

1D 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D

African American 530 580 2822 1569 947 1273

Caucasian 694 936 744 1195 683 892

Asian or Pacific Islander 65 83 57 95 40 82

Hispanic 367 214 1007 1771 241 791

American Indian orAlaskan Native

0 0 0 2 0 2

ARRESTS BY DISTRICT

27

The chart below shows the number ofuseof force incidents reported in 2015 bydistrict, and abreakdownoftherace/ethnicityofthedefendantsinvolvedinthoseincidents.

Thefollowingchartshowsthepercentageoftherace/ethnicityofthedefendantsinvolvedintheuseofforceincidentsreportedbyeachdistrictin2015.

The majority of defendants involved in use of force incidents reported in 2015 were AfricanAmericanandCaucasian,comprisingapproximately87percent(394)oftheuseofforceincidentsreported.AsianorPacificIslanderdefendantscomprisedapproximately2percent(7),andHispanicdefendants accounted for the remaining 11 percent (50) of defendants involved in use of forceincidents.

020406080

100120

1D 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D

African American 9 27 105 37 40 35

Caucasian 7 30 23 38 26 17

Asian or PacificIslander

3 0 1 1 2 0

Hispanic 3 6 11 19 3 8

DEFENDANT RACE/ETHNICITY

0

20

40

60

80

1D 2D 3D 4D 5D 6D

DEFENDANT RACE/ETHNICITY PERCENTAGES

African American Caucasian Asian or Pacific Islander Hispanic

28

Thechartbelowshowsasummaryofthedefendants’race/ethnicitybasedonthenumberofuseofforceincidentsreportedin2015.

The chart below shows a summary of the defendants’ race/ethnicity in use of force incidentsreportedin2015comparedto2014.

253141

7

50

DEFENDANT RACE/ETHNICITY

African American

Caucasian

Asian or PacificIslander

Hispanic

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

AfricanAmerican

Caucasian Asian orPacificIslander

Hispanic

DEFENDANT RACE/ETHNICITY2015VS.2014

2015

2014

29

The followingchart shows the race/ethnicityof thedefendants involved inuseof force incidentsreportedcounty‐widefrom2011‐2015.

Overthefiveyearperiodfrom2011–2015,thefollowingdemographic‐relatedtrendsarenotable: The number of African American defendants involved in reported use of force incidents

increased10.5percent.

ThenumberofCaucasiandefendantsinvolvedinreporteduseofforceincidentsdecreased20percent.

ThenumberofAsian/PacificIslanderdefendantsinvolvedinreporteduseofforceincidents

decreased42percent. ThenumberofHispanicdefendantsinvolvedinreporteduseofforceincidentsdecreased15

percent.Since 2011, African Americans have been involved in 50 percent of the reported use of forceincidents, Caucasians have been involved in 35 percent of reported incidents, Asian/PacificIslandershavebeeninvolvedin1.6percentofincidents,andHispanicshavebeeninvolvedin13.4percentofreporteduseofforceincidents.Race/Ethnicity&AgeofDefendantsandOfficerThe chart on the next page shows the department demographics of its sworn personnelcomplementasofDecember2015.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

DEFENDANT RACE/ETHNICITY2011‐ 2015

African American

Caucasian

Asian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic

30

The following section includes a summary based on information compiled from theUseofForceReports submitted in2015where the race‐ethnicityandageof thedefendant andprimaryofficerwerenotedontheMCPForm37. Asnotedearlier,inthemajorityofuseofforceincidents,therearemore than two officers involved. However, the data reflected in the chart only indicates therace‐ethnicityoftheprimaryofficersthatwereresponsibleforcompletingtheMCPForm37.

AgesofDefendantsandOfficersAgesofDefendantsThe chartson thenextpage showabreakdownof the age groupsof thedefendants andofficersbased on the information reported on use of force reports completed by officers in 2015.Defendants ages 18 to 29 and 30 to 39 accounted for approximately 69 percent of the totalindividualsinvolvedinuseofforceincidentsreportedin2015,comparedto68percentin2014.

0200400600800

1000 816

169107 34 36 7 70 15 1

DEPARTMENT DEMOGRAPHICSSWORN PERSONNEL

050100150200250

AfricanAmerican

Caucasian Asian orPacificIslander

Hispanic

African American 28 204 8 16

Caucasian 15 111 6 9

Asian or Pacific Islander 0 5 1 1

Hispanic 2 37 2 8

DEFENDANT‐OFFICER RACE/ETHNICITY

Defendan

t

Officer

31

Defendantsundertheageof18wereinvolvedin12percent(55)oftheincidentsreportedin2015,whiledefendantsages40andoldercomprisedtheremaining19percent(85).Forallagecategoriesin2015,theaverageageofthedefendants involvedinuseofforceincidentswas30;comparedto29in2014.Thefollowingchartprovidesabreakdownoftheagegroupsofthedefendantsinvolveduseofforceincidentsin2015.

The chart below shows a summary of the age groups of the defendants involved in use of forceincidentsreportedin2015comparedto2014.

55

214

97

85

AGE GROUPS OF DEFENDANTS

Under 18

18 to 29

30 to 39

40 and Older

0

50

100

150

200

250

Under 18 18 to 29 30 to 39 40 andOlder

AGE GROUPS OF DEFENDANTS2015VS.2014

2015

2014

32

Thechartbelowshowstheagegroupsofthedefendantsinvolvedinuseofforceincidentsreportedcounty‐widefrom2011‐2015.Theaverageageofthedefendantsacrossallagegroupsis29.7.

A review of the data over this five year span shows an increase of 8 percent in the number ofdefendantsundertheageof18,a4.5percentdecreaseinthenumberofdefendantsages18to29,a15.5percent increase indefendants in the30‐39 age group, and an11.5 percentdecrease in thenumberofdefendantsages40andolder.AgesofOfficersForallagecategoriesin2015,theaverageageoftheofficersinvolvedinuseofforceincidentswas33,comparedto32in2014.The following chartprovides abreakdownof the agegroupsof theofficers involveduseof forceincidentsin2015.

0

50

100

150

200

250

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

AGE GROUPS OF DEFENDANTS2011‐ 2015

Under 18

18 to 29

30 to 39

40 and Older

199

152

7525

AGE GROUPS OF OFFICERS

20 to 29

30 to 39

40 to 49

50>

33

Thechartbelowshowsasummaryoftheagegroupsoftheofficersinvolvedinuseofforceincidentsreportedin2015comparedto2014.

The chart below shows the age groupsof theofficers involved inuseof force incidents reportedcounty‐widefrom2011‐2015.Theaverageageofofficersacrossallagegroupsforthisperiodis34.

A review of the data over this five year span shows an increase of 42 percent in the number ofofficersinthe20to29agegroup,a16percentdecreaseinthenumberofofficersages30to39,a29percentdecreaseinthenumberofofficersinthe40‐49agegroup,anda178percentincreaseinthenumberofofficersages50andolder.

0

50

100

150

200

20 to 29 30 to 39 40‐49 50>

AGE GROUPS OF OFFICERS2015VS.2014

2015

2014

0

50

100

150

200

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

AGE GROUPS OF OFFICERS2011‐2015

20 to 29

30 to 39

40 to 49

50>

34

GenderDefendantsOf thedefendants involved inuseof force incidents in2015,78percent (351)weremale and22percent(100)werefemale,asshowninthechartbelow.

In2014,maleswereinvolvedin344(82percent)useofforceincidentsandfemaleswereinvolvedin74 (18percent)of the incidents.This representsa2percentdecrease in thenumberofmalesinvolved in use of force incidents, and a 35 percent increase in the number of females involved,comparedto2015asshownbelow.

351

100

GENDER OF DEFENDANTS

Male

Female

050

100150200250300350400

2014 2015

GENDER OF DEFENDANTS2015VS.2014

Male

Female

35

Afiveyearsummaryofthegenderofthedefendants involvedinreporteduseofforceincidentsisprovidedbelow.

OfficersOftheofficersinvolvedinuseofforceincidentsreportedin2015,89percent(403)weremaleandapproximately11percent(48)werefemale,asshowninthechartbelow.

In2014,maleofficerswereinvolvedin379(91percent)useofforceincidents,andfemaleofficerswere involved in 39 (9 percent) of the incidents. This represents an 8 percent increase in thenumber ofmales involved in use of force incidents and a 23 percent increase in the number offemalesinvolvedcomparedto2015.

0

100

200

300

400

500

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Male 401 366 414 344 351

Female 76 60 67 74 100

GENDER OF DEFENDANTS2011‐ 2015

Male

Female

403

48

GENDER OF OFFICERS

Male

Female

36

The chart belowprovides a comparisonof the genderof theofficers involved in theuseof forceincidentsreportedin2015and2014.

A five year summary of the gender of the officers involved in reported use of force incidents isprovidedinthefollowingchart.

YEARSONDEPARTMENTOFOFFICERSIn 2015, 67 percent of the officers involved in reported use of force incidents served on thedepartment between one to 10 years, compared to 71 percent in 2014. Officers serving on thedepartment for more than 10 years comprised the remaining 33 percent of officers involved,comparedto29percentin2014.

050

100150200250300350400450

2014 2015

GENDER OF OFFICERS2015VS.2014

Male

Female

0

100

200

300

400

500

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Male 400 368 383 379 403

Female 82 65 98 39 48

GENDER OF OFFICERS2011‐ 2015

Male

Female

37

Asummaryoftheofficers’yearsofexperienceandpercentageofuseofforceincidentsfor2015isshowninthefollowingchart.

Acomparisonoftheofficers’yearsofexperienceandtheirpercentageofinvolvementinuseofforceincidentsfor2015and2014basedonavailabledataispresentedbelow.

Thisdatareflectsminorvariations in thepercentages ineachexperiencecategory,except for theofficerswith6to10yearsofexperiencewhichshowsa19percentdecreasein2015comparedto2014,anda133percentincreaseinthe21to25yearsofexperiencecategory.

0

100

200

300

<1 1 to 5 6 to 10 11 to 15 16 to 20 21 to 25 >25

145

22 16 7 7 3

YEARS ON DEPARTMENT ANDPERCENTAGE OF INCIDENTS

Years on Department Percentage of Use of Force Incidents

0

10

20

30

40

50

1 to 5 6 to 10 11 to15

16 to20

21 to25

>25

2015 45 22 16 7 7 3

2014 44 27 15 8 3 3

YEARS ON DEPARTMENT AND PERCENTAGE OF INCIDENTS2015VS.2014

38

ALLEGATIONSANDINVESTIGATIONSTherewere12useof force‐relatedcomplaintsmadetothedepartment’s InternalAffairsDivision(IAD) in 2015 that prompted formal investigations, an increase of 20 percent compared to thenumber of complaints received in 2014 (10). These investigations are formal investigationsconductedbyIADinaccordancewiththeLawEnforcementOfficer’sBillofRights.AsummaryofthecomplaintsrelatedtouseofforceincidentsreceivedbyIADfrom2011–2015isoutlinedbelow.

Since 2011, the data indicates a 37 percent decrease in the number of use of force‐relatedcomplaintsmadeagainstofficers.

IN‐CUSTODYDEATHSAn in‐custody death generally refers to the death of an individual while in the custody of lawenforcement officerswhen the death is not directly caused by a use of deadly force. Deathmayoccur from contributing circumstances, such asmedical problems, that are identified or developwhileapersonisinpolicecustody.Noin‐custodydeathsoccurredin2015,thesamenumberreportedin2014.

DEADLYFORCEINCIDENTSDeadlyforceisdefinedasany useofforcethat isintendedtoorlikelytocauseasubstantialriskofdeath or seriousphysical injury.Officersmay usedeadly force todefend themselvesoranotherperson from what they reasonably believe is an imminent threat of death or seriousphysicalinjury.Allincidentsthatinvolvetheuseofdeadlyforceorin‐custodydeathsareinvestigatedbythedepartment’sMajorCrimesDivision(MCD).

19

37

23

10 12

051015202530354045

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

IADALLEGATIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS

Use of Force Complaints

39

Anon‐dutypatrolsupervisor isrequiredtorespondtoallECDdeployments, firearmdischarges(exceptforthehumanedestructionofnon‐domesticanimals),useof12‐gaugeimpactprojectiles,and any use of force that results in serious bodily injury or in‐custody death. Supervisors arerequiredtonotifyMCDofanysituationsthatmeetthefollowingcriteria: Allintentionalfirearmdischargesbyanemployee,whetherinjuriesoccurornot,withthe

exceptionofauthorizedrangepracticeorthedestructionofdangerousorinjuredanimals;

All accidental firearm discharges by an employee that result in an injury to anyone,includingtheinvolvedofficer;and

All incidents where an individual sustains life‐threatening injury as a result of policeaction.

DeadlyForceIncidentsDeadly force was used in only one incident in 2015 that resulted in no civilian fatalities. ThisincidentwaspresentedtoaMontgomeryCountyGrandJuryandwasdeterminedtobejustified.In2014, therewere threedeadly force incidentsreported.These incidentswerealsoreviewedbyaGrandJuryanddeterminedtobejustifiedusesofdeadlyforce.OnDecember9,2015,aMCPDOfficerattemptedtoconductatrafficstoponavehicle.Thevehiclerefusedtostopandapursuitofthesuspecteddrunkdriverensued.Thepursuitledtotheendofaresidentialstreetandtheofficerobservedthevehiclepullintoadrivewayandstrikethegarageofaresidence.Officersapproachedthevehicleandissuedcommandstothedrivertoexit thevehicle.Instead,thedriverplacedthevehicleinreverseandattemptedtofleeagain.Thevehiclecontinuedto back up into the street, then came to amomentary stop. The quickmovement of the vehiclecausedanofficerwhowasatthesideofittonowbeinfront.Theofficeragainissuedcommandstostop,butthedriveracceleratedquicklytowardstheofficerandtheofficer firedoneshot intothevehicle.Therounddidnotstrikethedriver.Thevehiclecontinuedandstrucktheofficer,causinghimtorollontothehoodof thevehicleandthenfallontothestreet.Thedriverdroveawayandapursuitensuedthatlastedforseveralminutesuntilthedriverwasinvolvedinacollisionthatdisabledthevehicle.Thesuspectfledonfootforashort distance, at which time an officer deployed an ECD and the subject was successfullyapprehended.

40

Afiveyearsummaryofin‐custodydeathsanddeadlyforceincidentsisshowninthechartbelow.

Since2011,thedataindicatesadecreaseof80percentinthenumberofdeadlyforceincidentsinthecounty.

SUMMARYIn 2015, officers reported 451 use of force incidents, an increase of 8 percent from 2014. Alldistricts experienced an increase in the number of reported use of force incidents, except forWheaton(4D)andGaithersburg(6D).TheWheatonDistrictexperienceda14percentdecreaseinuseofforceincidents,andtheGaithersburgDistrictexperienceda26percentdecrease.

TheuseofanytypeofforcebyMCPDofficerscontinuestoconstituteaverysmallpercentageoftheoverallcallsforservicethatofficersrespondtoonadailybasis.In2015,officersonlyusedforcein0.22percentofthetotalcalls forservice,andinonly2.5percentofallarrestsituations.Overthepast five years, Montgomery County has averaged approximately 453 reported use of forceincidents annually. During this same timeframe, there has also been a 6 percent decrease in theoverallnumberofincidentsreported.

Officers responding to reports of assaults accounted for 42 percent of all reported use of forceincidentsin2015,whichisasignificantincreasecomparedtothepreviousyear.Makingarrests(orattempting to make arrests), serving emergency evaluation petitions, and defending againstassaultsconstituted95percentofincidentswheresometypeofforcewasused.

Callsforserviceinvolvingassaults,narcotics/DUIoffenses,anddisorderlyconductaccountedfor66percentofallreporteduseofforceincidents.Overthefiveyearperiodfrom2011‐2015,theneedto use force in situations involving assaults increased 6 percent, while incidents involvingnarcotics/DUI offenses decreased 29 percent, and calls for service involving disorderly conductwhereforcewasuseddecreased19percent.

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

In‐Custody Deaths 1 1 1 0 0

Deadly Force 5 4 3 3 1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

IN‐CUSTODY DEATHS AND DEADLYFORCE INCIDENTS

41

The type of force most commonly used by officers was hands, which increased 20 percentcompared to 2014. The type of force most commonly used against officers by defendants washands,whichincreased11percentcomparedto2014.Defendantsalsousedtheirfeetattemptingtokick officers, and attempted to bite or spit at officers in 14 percent of the incidents reported in2015.Theuseofhandsand/orfeetasameanstopreventbeingplacedintocustodycontinuestobethemostcommonmeansofforce/resistanceusedbydefendants.

TheuseofECDsbyofficerscontinuedtodeclinein2015.ECDsweredeployedinonly13percentofallreporteduseofforceincidentsin2015.UseofECDsdeclined6percentfromthepreviousyear,andsince2013,ECDusebyofficershasdeclined60percent.

In2015,thenumberofreportedassaultsonofficersincreasedalmost23percentcomparedtothepreviousyear.Over thepast fiveyears, thenumberofofficersreportedbeingassaulted inuseofforce incidents has increased 13 percent. In addition, injuries sustained by officers increased 6percentfrom2014,whileinjuriestodefendantsincreasedlessthanonepercent.In2015,officersreported being injured in 28 percent of reported use of force incidents, and defendants wereinjured (or claimed to be injured) in 54percent of incidents. Since 2011, the number of officersinjured has declined 23 percent, while the number of defendants reported being injured (orclaimingtheywereinjured)hasdecreased24percent.

Officers requiredmedical treatment in42percentof thereporteduseof force incidents in2015,anddefendantsrequiredtreatment in47percentof incidents.Since2011, thenumberofofficersrequiringmedical treatment for injuriessustainedduringuseof force incidentshasdecreased21percent,andthenumberofdefendantsrequiringmedicaltreatmentforinjuriessustainedduringauseofforceincident(orclaimingtobeinjured),hasdecreased22percent.

In65percentoftheincidentswhereofficersemployedsometypeofforcein2015,defendantswerereportedtobeundertheinfluenceofalcoholand/ordrugs.Thedatashowsthatoverthefiveyearperiodfrom2011–2015,therehasbeena20percentdecreaseinthenumberofincidentsreportedwherealcoholwasacontributingfactor,anda147percentincreaseinincidentswheresometypeofdrug(s)areinvolved.Defendantssufferingfromsomeformofmentalillnesswereinvolvedin27percentofthereporteduseofforceincidentsin2015,anincreaseofalmost3percentcomparedtothepreviousyear.Since2011,therehasbeena120percentincreaseinincidentswhereindividualsencounteredbyofficersweresufferingfromsomeformofmentalillness.In2015,87percentofthedefendantsinvolvedinuseofforceincidentswereAfricanAmericanandCaucasian, compared to 86 percent in 2014. Since 2011, African American and Caucasiandefendantshavebeeninvolvedin85percentofthereporteduseof force incidents inthecounty.Asian/PacificIslanderdefendantshavebeeninvolvedinapproximately2percentofincidents,andHispanicshavebeeninvolvedinapproximately13percentofuseofforceincidents.Defendantsinthe18‐39agecategoryaccountedfor69percentoftheuseofforceincidentsin2015.Defendants under the age of 18were involved in 12 percent of the incidents reported in 2015,while defendants ages 40 and older comprised the remaining 19 percent. This breakdown isessentially the same as the experience reported in 2014, and fairly consistent with the datareportedoverthelastfiveyears.Theaverageagesofthedefendantsandofficersinvolvedinuseofforceincidentsreportedin2015wereverysimilar,withtheaverageageofdefendantsbeing30,and33forofficers.

42

Areviewofthedataoverthelastfiveyearsshowsmodestincreases(approximately8percent)inthenumberofdefendantsundertheageof18,anda15.5percentincreaseindefendantsinthe30‐39agegroup.For officers over the same five year period, the data reflects an increase of 42 percent in thenumberofofficersages20to29,anda178percentincreaseinthenumberofofficersages50andolder.Thedataalsoindicatesdecreasesinthenumberofofficersintheagegroupsof30‐39and40‐49of16percentand29percent,respectively.Intermsofgender,maledefendantsandmaleofficerscontinuetobeinvolvedinthemajorityofuseof force incidents. Male defendants were involved in 78 percent of the use of force incidentsreported in 2015, while male officers were involved in 89 percent of the incidents. Femaledefendants were reported to be involved in 22 percent of incidents, while female officers wereinvolvedin11percentofuseofforceincidents.In 2015, 67 percent of the officers involved in use of force incidents served on the departmentbetweenoneto10years.Thisisconsistentwiththecurrentcompositionofthedepartment’sswornpersonnelcomplementwhich,inthelastfiveyears,hasseenaninfluxofyoungerofficersasolder,moreexperiencedofficershaveretired.There were 12 use of force‐related complaints made against officers in 2015 compared to 10complaintsin2014,anincreaseof20percent.Deadlyforcewasonlyusedinoneincidentin2015,comparedtothreeincidentsreportedin2014,a67percentdecrease.Since2011, therehasbeenan80percentdecrease in thenumberofdeadlyforceincidentsreportedinthecounty.Furthermore,noin‐custodydeathsoccurredin2015,aswasthecasein2014.The Montgomery County Police Department regularly provides information to educate thecommunity on its use of force training and policy guidelines. District Commanders and policeexecutive staffmeet regularlywith various community groups and stakeholder organizations toshare information and listen to concerns. Another extremely positive department initiativedesigned to educate citizensaboutpolicework, includingpoliceuseof force, is thedepartment’sCitizen Academy. This program was originally developed as an extension of the department’scommunity policing efforts and it continues to provide the department with an excellentopportunitytohelpcitizensincreasetheirknowledgeandunderstandingaboutthecomplexnatureofpolicework,includingpoliceuseofforce.TheMontgomeryCountyPoliceDepartmentiscommittedtoensuringthesafetyofthepublicanditsofficers.Moving forward, thedepartment’s continuedcommitment to communitypolicing is acritical component tomaintaining public trust and confidence, and establishing andmaintainingvaluable relationships that directly contribute to enhancedpolice‐citizen engagement that buildsmutualrespectamongofficersandthecommunitiestheyprotectandserve.

43

MONTGOMERYCOUNTYDEPARTMENTOFPOLICE100EdisonParkDriveGaithersburg,MD20878

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/

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