In response to the
8 Can't Wait campaign, Savannah Police Department announces that it is in full compliance with the demands of the movement.
8 Can't Wait is a project by Campaign Zero that seeks to bring immediate change to police departments and originated in the past few weeks in response to the nationwide protests of police brutality.
The eight demands of 8 Can't Wait are: ban chokeholds and strangleholds, require de-escalation, require warning before shooting, requires an exhaust of all alternatives before shooting, duty to intervene, ban shooting at moving vehicles, require use of force continuum, and require comprehensive reporting.
The Savannah Police Department clarified their positions on the eight demands.
- Ban chokeholds and strangle holds: Neither technique is allowed by SPD policy.
- Require de-escalation training: All officers are trained in verbal and physical de-escalation training.
- Require a warning before shooting: Our policy states, “A verbal warning will be issued prior to the discharge of a firearm, if practical.”
- Exhaust all other means before shooting: Officers receive training in verbal de-escalation and conflict resolution and are required to use the amount of force that reasonably appears necessary.
- Duty to intervene: Any officer present and observing another officer using force that is clearly beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances shall, when in a position to do so, intercede. SPD policy also requires that an officer who observes another employee using force that is beyond reasonable under the circumstances promptly report those observations to a supervisor.
The SPD Oath of Office, Ethics and Conduct Policy states “any employee that observes serious misconduct will take appropriate action to cause the misconduct to immediately cease regardless of rank.”
- Ban shooting at moving vehicles: An Officer WILL NOT discharge a firearm at the occupants of a vehicle (moving or stationary) or from a moving vehicle, except in self-defense or the defense of another. Officers WILL NOT discharge a firearm at a moving vehicle in an attempt to disable the vehicle.
- Require use of force continuum: SPD does not follow a specific continuum for use of physical force as Officers are to operate under state and Federal law which is defined as, “a reasonable amount force and/or minimum amount of force to affect the arrest.”
- Require comprehensive reporting: After any use of force by a member of the department, a supervisor shall be notified and it shall be documented promptly. All use of force incidents are reviewed by a Precinct Commander or above.