LVMPD Announces Updates to Use of Force Policy

Las Vegas, NV - September 21, 2017 - The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is committed to transparency and accountability in all aspects of use of force. As a part of that commitment, the LVMPD is publicizing the updated use of force policy. Some of the changes are highlighted below:

40mm Specialty Impact Weapon – In some instances, the low-lethality shotgun bean bag rounds have been ineffective on some subjects. In an ongoing effort to de-escalate violent situations and to keep officers safe, the LVMPD has deployed a new 40mm Specialty Impact Weapon. This is an intermediate force option when fired at a distance of five yards or more, and deadly force when fired at a distance of less than five yards.

Discharging a firearm at a moving vehicle – In light of recent vehicle ramming attacks that have been used in other parts of the U.S.A. and overseas, the LVMPD has updated its policy on discharging a firearm at or from a moving vehicle. The policy now reads, “It is the policy of this department that officers will not discharge a firearm at/from a moving vehicle unless it is absolutely necessary to preserve human life”.

Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint (LVNR) – LVNR will no longer be categorized as a low level option in the updated policy. All levels of the LVNR will be categorized as an intermediate or deadly use of force. To use the LVNR, an officer must be able to articulate that the subject had the intent to harm officers or others.

For additional information about these policy changes, and to review the complete LVMPD use of force policy, please click on the following link: http://www.lvmpd.com/en-us/InternalOversightConstitutionalPolicing/Documents/Use-of-Force-Policy-2017.pdf.

The entire updated use of force policy can also be accessed by going to www.lvmpd.com, and click on the box labeled “Transparency”. Go to the Office of Internal Oversight and Constitutional Policing, and click on the box “Force Related Policies”.

Source: http://www.lvmpd.com