Port Royal Police join other agencies in changing use of force rules. Here’s what’s new
Port Royal Police Department officers must try to stop other officers and first responders from using excessive force under a new rule formalized after the death of George Floyd in May.
The agency added a “duty to intervene” to its use-of-force policy in June, requiring officers to step in “when force is inappropriately used and/or no longer required.” Floyd, 46, died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes while Floyd was handcuffed on the ground.
“It’s never been tolerated ... that kind of conduct,” Port Royal Police Chief Alan Beach said. “But sometimes you just have to put it in writing.”
Port Royal’s policy already bans excessive force, which the document warns could result in discipline or criminal charges. Chokeholds and similar maneuvers restricting air and blood flow are considered deadly force and prohibited except as a last resort when the officer or another person could be seriously hurt or killed, according to the use of force policy in place since 2003.
Beach and Port Royal Capt. Andre Massey addressed town council members on the agency’s policies Wednesday, in part a response to a grassroots group called the Beaufort County Police Accountability task force formed after Floyd’s death.
Beach began reviewing the department’s procedures after Floyd’s death, and town manager Van Willis asked him to consider the rules against a list recommended by the 8 Can’t Wait campaign dedicated to policing reform.
“You can always step back and take a look at what you’re doing,” Willis said. “Obviously that was a worthy prompt to have us take a look.”
Other agencies have made similar changes as they review policies in the wake of Floyd’s death and the nationwide protests. In addition to Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin, who was charged with murder and manslaughter after kneeling on Floyd’s neck, three other officers were charged and all four were fired.
Bluffton Police Department has added a duty-to-intervene rule since Floyd’s death and amid local protests. Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office also now requires officers to intervene in instances of misconduct and added provisions banning chokeholds except in life-threatening situations.
Port Royal’s policy requires officers to immediately report any time force is used, notifying a supervisor and documenting the incident. The agency sends monthly reports to the FBI with data on any deaths or serious injury due to police use of force and instances when officers shoot at someone.
Beach said he watched the video of Floyd’s death and called the footage “sickening.”
“I’m not (typically) second-guessing anybody, but I can second guess that,” Beach said. “There is no reason why that happened — none.”
