The Police Commission Use of Force Committee, which reworked three use-of-force policies for the Eugene Police Department, held its final meeting Thursday. The committee’s findings emphasized when and why officers should use pepper spray.The committee voted to forward its recommendations to the city of Eugene’s police commission. Though Thursday’s discussion focused on the use of pepper spray, it also addressed other policy changes in the committee’s findings and recommendations report.
“It’s an issue of how we can have a policy that gives the officer use of a tool,” committee member Maurice Denner said.
The committee began its policy review last fall. It looked at the use of force in general, at control techniques and less lethal weapons and pepper spray.
The committee altered the definition of passive resistance, which occurs when a suspect does not obey but does not physically resist an officer. Members discussed the distinction between this and static resistance. Some in the community spoke out against the final policies, including ACLU spokeswoman Polly Nelson.
“We think pepper spray should not be used on nonviolent, passive resistance in any form,” she said.
The police department, however, wants to reserve the ability to use pepper spray against passive resisters in extreme situations, as stated in the final report.
“OC [pepper] spray is preferable to hitting someone with a baton,” EPD Sgt. Eric Elwood said at the meeting.
Officers explained to the committee that having the ability to use pepper spray under certain conditions decreases the risk of injury to suspects. Amendments to current policies include police officers not being able to use pepper spray to inflict pain. According to a material safety data sheet, pepper spray causes a burning sensation on the skin and in the eyes and restricts breathing. The effects last from 20 to 40 minutes.
“We must have confidence in [police] to use discretion,” committee member John Brown said.A few members of the committee disagreed, including CAHOOTS representative Carla Newbre.
“The fact is very clear that pepper spray incapacitates a person,” she said. “But there is no justification for using it if someone is just laying in the street.”
CAHOOTS provides medical care to the homeless.
Other items in the final report concern the use of less-than-lethal weapons, conflict resolution and tracking mechanisms, and using smoke or tear gas for crowd control. This method was used during 1997 Halloween riots near the University.
The Police Commission will review the report Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the McNutt room at City Hall.