Case Law & Resources: Massachusetts
Case Law
No relevant case law was found by our researchers.
Resources
Citation
Summary and Notes
Comparison of Cambridge PD's policies and procedures with 8 Can't Wait recommendations; de-escalation is woven into the training and operations of the department; whenever practical to do so, policies require an officer to state their intentions to shoot prior to discharging a firearm.
Relevant Excerpt
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Public-facing dashboard (in-process) to provide near real-time updates to training and other interactions between the police and the public (in early stages).
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The policy specifies a "Force Continuum" and also requires that "if feasible" some warning shall be given before any use of force. (PDF pp. 493-5).
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Adopted 8 Can't Wait Policies. Requires the use of de-escalation techniques before using physical, non-deadly and/or deadly force. All alternatives must be exhausted before using deadly force. Officers are required to give verbal warnings before force is used, when feasible and safe. Officers have an affirmative duty to intervene to prevent excessive or unauthorized use of force. Strangleholds and chokeholds (as well as other similar neck restraints) are prohibited. Officers are prohibited from shooting at moving vehicles. All firearm discharges must be reported.
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