DeLand, FL - The DeLand Police Department's rate of arrests involving the use of force dropped by more than half in 2017, according to an internal review by the police department.
The report, conducted by the Department's Office of Professional Standards shows that there were 2,175 arrests made by DeLand officers in 2017. Nine of those arrests (.4%) resulted in officers using force. In 2016, the total number of arrests made by DeLand Police was 1,946. 21 of those arrests (1%) resulted in officers using force.
Police Chief Jason Umberger credits the drop in the rate of arrests where officers used force with a focus on community-based policing, training on de-escalation techniques, and understanding of implicit bias.
“Our number one goal at the end of the day is the safety of our community members and our police officers,” Umberger says. “This report is a testament to the effort I see by our officers every day to build relationships with our residents and gain the public’s trust.”
According to a news release put out by the police department, all of the instances last year where force was used by Deland Police officers were the result of resistance by the offender. In one arrest, an armed man was fatally shot by officers when the man refused to drop his weapon. All law enforcement officers involved were cleared in the incident, according to DeLand Police.
You can find a link to the internal review's report by clicking
here.
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