The San Mateo Police Department protects the city with the community’s safety in mind. Our policies and standard operating procedures demonstrated this core belief well before the "8 Can’t Wait" campaign. The ideals expressed in “8 Can’t Wait” are thoroughly covered by the requirements in SB 230, which was approved by California Governor Newsom in September 2019. It mandates important force response policies and training, including an emphasis on de-escalation and the sanctity of life. We’ve developed a series of force response principles to improve community relations while balancing the safety of our officers and the people they serve. In regard to “8 Can’t Wait,” please review the policies below. 

Ban Chokeholds and Strangleholds

Chokeholds, strangleholds, and the use of the carotid restraint are NOT authorized per SMPD Lexipol Policy 300.3.4.  

Require De-escalation

De-escalation tactics are thoroughly trained in the basic police academy and throughout field training. It is a key component in regular, real-time scenario training throughout the career of our officers. De-escalation is incorporated in SMPD Lexipol policies: Force Response (300), Taser Deployment (309), and Mental Health Crisis Response (418). It is also the centerpiece of a supplemental 40-hour training all our officers receive in crisis intervention. 

Require Warning Before Shooting

Verbal warning articulated in SMPD Lexipol Policy 300.4 Deadly Force - Where feasible, the officer shall, prior to the response of deadly force, make reasonable efforts to identify themselves as a peace officer and to warn that deadly force may be used.

Exhaust All Other Means Before Shooting

SMPD Lexipol Policy 300.4 Deadly Force - If an objectively reasonable officer would consider it safe and feasible to do so under the totality of the circumstances, officers should evaluate the use of other reasonably available resources and techniques when determining whether to use deadly force.

Duty to Intercede

SMPD Lexipol Policy 300.2.1 - Any officer present and observing another law enforcement officer using force that is clearly beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances shall, when in a position to do so, intercede to prevent the use of unreasonable force. An officer who observes another employee respond with force that exceeds the degree of force permitted by law should promptly report these observations to a supervisor.

Ban Shooting at Moving Vehicles

SMPD Lexipol Policy 300.4.1 - Shots fired at or from a moving vehicle are rarely effective. Officers should move out of the path of an approaching vehicle instead of discharging their firearm at the vehicle or any of its occupants. An officer should only discharge a firearm at a moving vehicle or its occupants when the officer reasonably believes there are no other reasonable means available to avert the threat of the vehicle, or if deadly force other than the vehicle is directed at the officer or others.

Officers should not shoot at any part of a vehicle in an attempt to disable the vehicle.

Require Force Response

SMPD Lexipol Policy 300.3 - Given that no policy can realistically predict every possible situation an officer might encounter, officers are entrusted to use well-reasoned discretion in determining the appropriate force response in each incident.

Require Comprehensive Reporting

The San Mateo Police Department requires supervisor reporting on force responses, and utilizes a force response review committee to review force responses for policy, training issues, and for reporting to the CA Department of Justice through URSUS to comply with CA Government Code Section 12525.2.