Chief Brown Announces Dallas Police Policy Changes
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Dallas Police Chief David Brown announced new polices for dealing with officer involved shootings as the investigation of last month's shooting of James Harper nears completion.
In a press release, Chief Brown said, "I am announcing new policies and strategic directives that I believe will positively impact officer safety and improve public trust and confidence. Members of my management staff have been instructed by me to seek out best practices, collaborate with academic and law enforcement experts, partner with Dallas citizens and develop implementation timelines for each change."
Eight new departmental policy initiatives were included in today's announcement:
- Formalize a process of concurrent investigative review with the FBI Civil Rights Office of all officer involved shooting
- Implement a more comprehensive Response to Resistance reporting system
- Develop a foot pursuit policy
- Re-implement the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) Review Team
- Implement a mandatory electronic control weapon (Taser) training policy for all officers
- Enhance the Department's consensual search policy to include the requirement for a written and/or recorded consent
- Research best practices that have come from critical incidents or institutional failures in public safety from around the nation
- Assemble a special Community Policing Strategic Team of officers for the Dixon Circle community
Harper was shot on July 24 by Officer Brian Rowden after a foot chase and struggle. The Dallas Police Department says Officer Rowden believed Harper was armed at the time. Fearing for his life Officer Rowden fired three shots that struck Harper in the chest and torso.
Angry crowds gathered in the Dixon Circle community after the shooting.
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