#8CantWait Project
A number of strategies to limit police violence have been proposed by community groups, activists, and legislators around the country. One of these is the Number 8CantWait Project. On this page we have provided is a summary of where Woodbury stands with each of the eight items.
- Ban Choke Holds & Strangle Holds
- Require De-Escalation
- Require Warning Before Shooting
- Exhaust All Other Means Before Shooting
- Duty to Intervene
- Ban Shooting at Moving Vehicles
- Require Use of Force Continuum
- Require Comprehensive Reporting
Ban Choke Holds & Strangle Holds
Description: Allowing officers to choke or strangle civilians, in many cases where less lethal force could be used instead, results in the unnecessary death or serious injury of civilians.
Woodbury's Position: The Woodbury Police Department does not teach choke nor strangle hold techniques to officers. In accordance with state law, choke holds are only authorized in circumstances where deadly force is authorized.
Require De-Escalation
Description: Require officers to de-escalate situations, where possible, by communicating with subjects, maintaining distance, and otherwise eliminate the need to use force.
Woodbury's Position: De-escalation has been and will continue to be a primary tool of our officers, and there has been a great deal of education on the topic within our department.
Require Warning Before Shooting
Description: Require officers to give a verbal warning, when possible, before shooting at a civilian.
Woodbury's Position: This principle is written into state law as well as our policy.
Exhaust All Other Means Before Shooting
Description: Require officers to exhaust all other reasonable means before resorting to deadly force.
Woodbury's Position: State law and Woodbury policy state that force used needs to be in line with the threat presented.
Duty to Intervene
Description: Require officers to intervene and stop excessive force used by other officers and report these incidents immediately to a supervisor.
Woodbury's Position: This is already part of our policy and practice and will be reaffirmed through policy updates.
Ban Shooting at Moving Vehicles
Description: Restrict officers from shooting at moving vehicles, which is regarded as a particularly dangerous and ineffective tactic.
Woodbury's Position: This is highly restricted in our policy.
Require Use of Force Continuum
Description: Develop a Force Continuum that limits the types of force and/or weapons that can be used to respond to specific types of resistance.
Woodbury's Position: Our Department trains and our policy covers the concepts on what techniques should be utilized.
Require Comprehensive Reporting
Description: Require officers to report each time they use force or threaten to use force against civilians.
Woodbury's Position: Every instance of force is reported and reviewed.