The Alexandria Police Department released a statement on the use of force on Tuesday evening on its use of force policies and accountability.
In its online list of Frequently Asked Questions, the department states that the use of force should only be used as a last resort that “should be avoided when possible, even when legally justified.”
Officers are also not allowed to use choke holds.
Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown said that the use of force is dehumanizing.
“It is the policy of the Alexandria Police Department to only use the force necessary to accomplish lawful objectives, and to be accountable to the community for its use,” Brown said.
The full press release is below.
In response to many recent questions from the public, the Alexandria Police Department has shared a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers about accountability and use of force. The resource includes information about officer vetting and training; de-escalation tactics; how force may be used and must be reported; ways in which the department stays accountable to the community; body-worn and vehicle-mounted cameras; and other topics.
“Each police officer in Alexandria has sworn an oath to support the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to faithfully and impartially discharge their duties,” said Chief of Police Michael L. Brown. “We take this oath as a promise to everyone in Alexandria that we are here to protect and serve them competently, courteously and professionally, and with the highest regard for human life and dignity. Use of force is dehumanizing and should be avoided whenever possible, even when legally justified. It is the policy of the Alexandria Police Department to only use the force necessary to accomplish lawful objectives, and to be accountable to the community for its use.”
Alexandria maintains a modern, highly-trained, skilled, energetic, diverse and well-equipped police department, which has been nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies since 1986. The department is currently accredited at the Gold level, which requires meeting 459 standards. Alexandria has joined the Obama Foundation’s pledge for action on police use of force, and has asked Campaign Zero to review and list its policing policies at 8cantwait.org.
Alexandria police officers each receive over 800 hours of basic training, including more than 116 hours in the appropriate use of force; 21 hours in preventing bias; 12 hours in interpersonal communication, ethics and leadership; and nine hours in communicating with specific groups such as individuals with autism, who are deaf, or who have physical disabilities or mental health challenges. Additional training is provided on a continuous basis during each officer’s tenure.
Visit alexandriava.gov/Police for more information about the Alexandria Police Department.
Staff photo by James Cullum
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If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.
If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
