Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • California State of Mind
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

California Attorney General Releases Second Report On Sacramento Police Use Of Force Policies

  •  Scott Rodd 
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra leaves leaves the Calvary Christian Center after meeting with SeQuette Clark, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif.

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

Requiring de-escalation tactics, expanding partnerships with mental health professionals and scaling back canine use. 

These are some of the key recommendations the California Department of Justice explored in its second report on the Sacramento Police Department’s use of force policies. While the recommendations are not binding, Attorney General Xavier Becerra encouraged the department to adopt the recommendations in order to avoid use of force controversies in the future and build a stronger relationship with the community.

“This is about being accountable, and meeting the call for change,” Becerra said during a virtual press conference Wednesday.

The state Department of Justice released an initial report in January 2019, containing recommendations about a variety of topics, including when officers should use force and best practices for de-escalating situations that could turn violent. The Sacramento Police Department says it has implemented 59 of the 66 recommendations from the first report. 

The Department of Justice launched its review in cooperation with the Sacramento Police Department, following the controversial police killing of Stephon Clarke in 2018. 

“The Sacramento Police Department is always looking for ways to improve training and policies to ensure the safety of our community, officers, and professional staff,” said Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn 

The report released Wednesday encourages the department to make de-escalation tactics a core piece of its use of force policy. That means requiring de-escalation efforts before force is used — not simply recommending it.

“De-escalation can involve verbal warnings, persuasion, tactical positioning, and other approaches — all with the goal of securing both officer and civilian safety,” the report states. 

The Department of Justice also recommends Sacramento modify its use of canines by implementing a “find and bark” approach, as opposed to “find and bite” — a recommendation discussed in last year’s report.

“In an effort to reduce unnecessary injuries, departments across the country are increasingly abandoning training methods and policies that lead to canine bites,” the report states.

Training a canine to bark, according to the report, corners the suspect and allows law enforcement to apprehend the individual. 

The department did not implement the “find and bark” recommendation from last year’s report after researching it, according to the department’s most recent progress update.

The Sacramento Police Department has changed its policies in at least one area contained in the most recent report.

The city suspended use of the carotid hold, a maneuver that cuts off circulation to the brain, in June. The report recommends banning the move outright, except in rare circumstances.

“By prohibiting or significantly limiting these kinds of force, SPD may be able to decrease the likelihood of unnecessary and accidental serious bodily injuries,” the report states.

Following the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, protesters in recent weeks have called for immediate change to policing in America. Some have called for defunding the police, which means reducing spending for traditional policing and re-allocating it to responders with a background in mental health and social work.

Becerra’s message to those activists: Be patient — the wheels are in motion.

“Change does not come easily,” he said.  “[But] don’t stop, keep at it. If you’re [protesting] peacefully, you’re doing the right thing.”


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

Scott Rodd

State Government Reporter

Scott Rodd previously covered government and legal affairs for the Sacramento Business Journal. Prior to the Business Journal, Scott worked as a freelance reporter in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.  Read Full Bio 

 @SRodd_CPR Email Scott Rodd

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Anne Wernikoff / CalMatters

When Will Nursing Homes Reopen To Visitors? State Officials Won’t Say

March 2, 2021

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

City Staff Report Says Funding For Sacramento Warming Centers Should Be Shifted. Officials Say It’s ‘Worded Poorly’

March 2, 2021

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Stockton’s Basic Income Plan Program Hailed As A Success By Study

March 3, 2021

Most Viewed

When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? How Will I Find Out? Answers To Your California Vaccine Questions.

California Coronavirus Updates: State Lawmakers Approve $2 Billion Incentive For Schools To Reopen

California Coronavirus Updates: San Joaquin County Allows Outdoor Sports To Open Up

California Will Soon Tie Reopening To Vaccination Equity Rates, Dedicate 40% Of Doses To Low-Income Communities

California To Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility To Residents With Severe Health Conditions, Disabilities

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

When Can I Get A COVID-19 Vaccine? How Will I Find Out? Answers To Your California Vaccine Questions.

California Coronavirus Updates: State Lawmakers Approve $2 Billion Incentive For Schools To Reopen

California Coronavirus Updates: San Joaquin County Allows Outdoor Sports To Open Up

California Will Soon Tie Reopening To Vaccination Equity Rates, Dedicate 40% Of Doses To Low-Income Communities

California To Expand COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility To Residents With Severe Health Conditions, Disabilities

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.