TRAINING PRACTICES

EPD routinely revisits their use of force policy as a reminder of any changes, significant case law(s), or any recent ruling on use of force issues nationwide. The placement of a knee on a person’s neck during an arrest is not part of training protocol. Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), has mandates that require all sworn personnel to complete the following training every five years. Englewood Police Officers are trained on:

• Proper holds & restraints
• De-escalation training
• Anti-bias training
• Community policing/community partnerships

The Department’s anti-bias/community policing training includes:

• Challenges to 21st century policing
• How can the community and police do community policing together?
• Biased-minds
• Multi-cultural communities
• Tragedies & image problems
• How does the past haunt the present?
• Philosophy/6 pillars of community policing

Accordingly, EPD goes beyond the POST mandate during annual arrest control and defensive tactics training. They routinely cover:

• Proper holds & restraints, to include escorts, take downs, while encountering de-escalation techniques
• Handcuffing from the prone, kneeling, and standing position – movement to a seated position and then to a standing positing while maintaining proper control of the suspect
• Scenario-based training to include lethal force, while utilizing verbalization skills and de-escalation techniques, while maintaining situational awareness
• Recognizing and reacting to excited delirium

HIRING PRACTICES

EPD only hires individuals who display a passion for the challenges of the job and who are able to show compassion for all members of our community. The Department is inclusive and respectful of diversity, as demonstrated by their hiring practices. Chief Sam Watson strongly encourages the hiring of qualified individuals with decisions based on their desire to serve their community; not the color of their skin, gender or sexual preference.

What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice (RJ) practices  are victim-centered, community-based responses to a crime or conflict which create opportunities for accountability, repairing harm and restoring relationships.

How does it work?

In a facilitated conversation between the responsible party/offender, harmed party/victim and community, a contract is agreed upon by all to repair the harm created by the offense.

Restorative Justice practices are victim-centered, rooted in indigenous practices and the values of relationship, respect, responsibility, repair and reintegration ("the five Rs of restorative justice"). They can be utilized prior to formal criminal legal involvement or at a variety of levels within the traditional criminal legal system.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility to participate in the program includes:

• Harmed Party/Victim Consent
• Responsible Party/Offender accountability
• Type of offense
• City Prosecutor's recommendation with court approval

Participation in the RJ program is voluntary for all stakeholders. If the responsible party chooses not to participate, the case goes through the traditional municipal court system.

The Englewood Municipal Court Restorative Justice (EMC-RJ) Program Mission is to foster resilience through restorative and collaborative community and system responses to harm.

The EMC-RJ Program Values are: Respect, Relationship, Responsibility, Repair, Reintegration & Resilience.

Program Goals:

• Increase public safety
• Empower community members to participate and facilitate RJ processes
• Engage and educate community members, partners and other stakeholders about restorative justice
• Create restorative leadership opportunities, build positive, community social capital and restorative community partnerships

CITIZENS ACADEMY

This program is designed to provide citizens with an overview and working knowledge of Police operations and to increase the level of understanding and cooperation between the community and the Police Department. The Academy is comprehensive in scope and covers many different areas of operation such as patrol procedures, investigations, officer safety, use-of-force, etc. Instruction is given via lectures, hands-on experience, and demonstrations.

BODY CAMERAS

In 2021, the Englewood Police Department implemented a department wide body worn and in-car camera program. The three main goals of this program are:

• Officer safety
• Transparency
• Accountability

We follow all state laws regarding the use and retention of these recordings. For more information, please contact Division Chief David LeClair at 303-762-2445 or via email.

1033 PROGRAM PARTICIPATION

The following statement is required by the State for our continued participation in this program. Please see a statement from the Englewood Police Department below this required statement for an explanation of our intended and historical use of this program*

“We are currently enrolled in the Federal 1033 Program, which allows local law enforcement agencies to receive excess Department of Defense (DoD) property that might otherwise not be utilized. Certain types of this equipment is categorized as “controlled” property, which includes items such as small arms/personal weapons, demilitarized vehicles and aircraft, and night-vision equipment. Controlled property always remains the property of and is accountable to the DoD. Some of the items we may request could include ammunition, night vision, armored and tactical vehicles, command and control vehicles, riot protection gear (batons/helmets/shields), breaching apparatus, robots, and small arms. Please note this notice does not ensure acquisition of stated property, as all property is on a first come basis with all participating LEAs in 49 states and four U.S. territories. When a law enforcement agency no longer wants the controlled property, it must be returned to the federal agency for proper disposition. We welcome and are required to seek the input of our communities where controlled property could be used. For inquiries into the program please visit: CDPS 1033 Program.”

*Englewood citizens should note, however, that the Englewood Police Department does not have any controlled property in their possession and has no plans to obtain any controlled property. Historically, Englewood PD has used this program to obtain items like cold weather clothing, hard-sided containers, medical equipment and mechanic-type hand tools. These items are provided free through this program instead of the department spending money from their budget. One significant example of Englewood’s historical use of this program: During the prolonged COVID pandemic, EPD obtained thousands of medical masks at zero cost, at a time where masks were almost impossible to obtain.