The Mesa Police Department does not train for or authorize the use of “chokeholds” or “strangleholds”. Officers are trained on a technique called the Carotid Control Hold, which is only authorized when deadly force is justified.

The Mesa Police Department has been training sworn members in de-escalation techniques for many years. Recruits receive this training in the Police Academy, and it is also provided to current patrol officers through continuing officer education. In 2018, additional risk management training was provided to supervisors, and Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) de-escalation training was provided to the entire department. De-escalation is included in Mesa’s Use of Force policy, and training will continue to be offered every two years. For further information on ICAT training, please visit: https://www.policeforum.org/icat-training-guide.

Per Mesa Police Department policy, whenever practical and reasonable, an officer is to verbally warn a subject of the officer’s intent to deploy a firearm. No warning would be required if it would place the officer or others in jeopardy to deliver such a warning.

Deadly force, including shooting a firearm at a subject, is only authorized when a subject’s actions are likely to result in the death or serious physical injury to the officer or another. Any level of force, up to and including deadly force, would generally be reasonable at this level of resistance.

Recruits are trained in the Police Academy, including scenario-based training, that if they neglect to intervene and notify the department of any misconduct, they are subject to discipline. This is embedded in the Mesa Police Department Code of Conduct as well as the Use of Force policy, which directs officers to intercede to prevent any use of excessive force. Officers must also promptly report such observations to a supervisor.

The Mesa Police Department prohibits shooting at or from a moving vehicle. The only exceptions to the policy are an apparent act of terrorism, when the vehicle is used as a weapon of mass destruction, or when someone inside the vehicle is using or threatening the use of deadly force.

The Mesa Police Department has a robust training program covering uses of force, including levels of resistance, and objectively reasonable responses to that resistance.

Officers report both displays of force and uses of force, and supervisors document uses of force. Advanced Training reviews and keeps statistics on Department uses of force and creates monthly reports. The MPD tracks and reports force data to the FBI as a participating agency in the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). The MPD also provides public access to multiple reports and data through the City of Mesa Data Portal, which can be accessed at the following at https://data.mesaaz.gov/.