Mission Viejo Sheriff’s Department Use Of Force Policies And Practices

Press release from the City of Mission Viejo:

June 10, 2020

In light of the killing of George Floyd and subsequent swarms of protests around the nation, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) is reassuring the public of its long-standing commitment to professionalism and integrity in its delivery of public service.

In a press release issued Wednesday, the department said it guards against bias, diligently governs how it uses force and holds accountable deputies who betray the public trust.

“Law enforcement must be free from racial discrimination and protect the constitutional rights of each person,” said Sheriff Don Barnes. “I am confident the men and women of my department strive to do so each and every day.

The department said it immediately suspended use of the carotid control hold and is evaluating its use and effectiveness as a compliance tool. A summary of OCSD’s Use of Force Policies and Practices is available at this link.

“The badge is tarnished when a peace officer acts outside of his or her training, violates rights or lets bias cloud judgement,” Sheriff Barnes said in a memo to the department. “Law enforcement depends on the trust of the community. Incidents like this erode the trust of law enforcement across the nation. In Orange County, we will continue our efforts to work with our residents, listen to their concerns and provide services rooted in a commitment to the safety of all we serve.”

This press release was produced by the City of Mission Viejo. The views expressed here are the author’s own.