Training

The Shoreline Police Department emphasizes de-escalation techniques to avoid the use of force. Our officers receive 40 hours of Crisis Intervention Training with an annual mandatory refresher, which prepares them to assist people in crisis for emotional, developmental, or behavioral health reasons. Additional de-escalation training teaches our officers techniques to calm tense encounters to reduce the potential for use of force. 

Shoreline officers additionally go through eight hours of implicit bias training intended to make them aware of how to counter their own implicit biases and not let those biases impact their policing. The Shoreline Police command staff will continue to ensure Shoreline officers are trained in crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and implicit bias. The Shoreline City Council has supported these efforts through additional training funds.

Body Cameras

Shoreline Police Officers all wear Axon body-worn cameras.

Campaign Zero’s “8 Can’t Wait”

Residents have asked what Shoreline Police policies are related to Campaign Zero’s “8 Can’t Wait” initiative. The Sheriff’s General Operation’s Manual outlines its use of force policies, which are addressed in Chapter 6. The King County Sheriff's Office asked Campaign Zero to conduct an audit of its policies and provide feedback in relation to the eight policies. On June 11, 2020, Campaign Zero determined that six of the policies were being met and that two needed clarification (Duty to Intervene and Verbal Warning Before Shooting). The King County Sheriff and leaders of the King County Police Officer's Guild quickly agreed to make the needed changes to clarify the policies. They are working on making those clarifications as quickly as possible. Here are the current use of force policies related to 8 Can’t Wait:

• Chokeholds & strangleholds: Officers shall not make any physical application or maneuver to the neck region that restricts blood or air flow (i.e., choke holds, sleeper holds, carotid submission holds, lateral vascular neck restraint, etc.), except as a last resort to protect officers or others from an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury. Any and all variations of these maneuvers may be considered deadly force when applied to the neck region. (Chapter 6.00.050)
   
• De-escalation: When safe and feasible, Officers shall use de-escalation tactics to reduce the need for force. De-escalation is a deliberate attempt to minimize or avoid the use of force to resolve a law enforcement incident using communication, tactics, and actions. Examples of de-escalation include calming agitated subjects, providing additional time for responses, and positioning to reduce risk. (Chapter 6.00.025)
  
  
• Warning before shooting: Clear direction and verbal commands shall be given when feasible. (Chapter 6.00.005)
   
• Exhaust all alternatives before shooting: Officers shall exhaust every reasonable means of apprehension before resorting to the use of deadly force. (Chapter 6.00.045)
    
• Duty to intervene: Failure to report an officer’s possible misconduct (including excessive or unnecessary use of force against a person) may result in discipline up to and including termination. (Chapter 3.03.015)
   
• Shooting at moving vehicles: Officers shall not shoot at a moving vehicle, unless: a) deadly physical force is being used against the officer or another person by means other than a moving vehicle; or b) the moving vehicle poses an imminent and identifiable threat of serious physical harm to the officer or others from which there is no reasonable means of escape. For the purposes of this section, officers shall attempt to move out of the path of an oncoming vehicle, if possible, rather than discharge their firearm; and shall not intentionally place themselves in the path of an oncoming vehicle and attempt to disable the vehicle by discharging their firearms. Officers shall not discharge their firearms at a fleeing vehicle unless an officer reasonable believes, and can articulate reasons therefore, why the necessity for immediate apprehension outweighs the danger to the public that is created by discharging a firearm. (Chapter 6.00.045)
  
  
• Use of force continuum: Less lethal weapons are tools designed to assist officers to gain control of a physically resistant, or aggressive or violent subject(s) who poses a threat of physical harm to themselves, to the officer(s) or to other persons or property. Less lethal weapons have been adopted for use by the Sheriff’s Office but are not intended to be a substitute when lethal force is necessary. Sworn personnel shall successfully complete training on less lethal weapons prior to using them. All applications of less lethal weapons shall conform to the principles outlined in the training and certification program, consistent with the RCW definition of necessary force (RCW 9A.16.010) and the Use of Force Policy (GOM 6.00.000). (Chapter 6.03.000)
  
  
• Comprehensive reporting: It is the policy of the Sheriff’s Office to promptly report and to thoroughly investigate any use of force or critical incident. Whenever an officer uses deadly force, physical force, a Conducted Electrical Weapon (TASER), chemical agent or Pepper Spray, reporting is mandatory by the officer using force and any officer witnessing the use of force. Failure to report the use of force, when required, is a violation of this policy. Supervisory notification and supervisor response to the scene is required for all incidents outlined in this policy unless expressly exempted. (Chapter 6.01) 

RADAR Program

Shoreline’s RADAR program, which stands for Response Awareness De-escalation and Referral, aims to decrease use-of-force incidents between police and individuals with behavioral health issues and/or developmental disabilities. The program has become a model for other law enforcement agencies. In fact, the RADAR program has now expanded into a five-city partnership which includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Kirkland.

Accountability and Oversight

King County's Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) represents the interests of the public in its efforts to hold the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) accountable for providing fair and just police services. OLEO is not part of the KCSO. It is an independent agency in the legislative branch of King County. Its director is appointed by the King County Council.

Through its independent review, OLEO seeks to instill confidence and public trust in the integrity of Sheriff’s Office operations and in the effectiveness and professionalism of its employees.

OLEO Reports and Recommendations

2019 Summary of Misconduct Complaints - King County Council District 1

2018 Annual Report

2018 Cases OLEO Declined to Certify

2018 Corrective Actions and Other Outcomes for Sustained Allegations

OLEO Reports Recommendations Tracker 

OLEO Policy Recommendations

King County Sheriff's Office Reports

KCSO Annual Report and completed internal investigations reports (look for the link in the green box)

Internal Investigations monthly reports  

Interactive Use of Force dashboards