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Policies
View the full Forest Grove Police Department Policy Manual
or select one of the policies below
The Audio and Video Recording (Body Cams) policy provides guidelines for the use of portable audio/video recording devices, including the use of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), by members of this department while in the performance of their duties. Portable audio/video recording devices include all recording systems whether body-worn, handheld, or integrated into portable equipment (ORS 133.741).
This policy does not apply to mobile audio/video recordings, interviews, or interrogations conducted at any Forest Grove Police Department facility, authorized undercover operations, wiretaps, or eavesdropping (concealed listening devices).
The Bias Based Policing policy guides department members and affirms the Forest Grove Police Department's commitment to policing that is fair and objective (ORS 131.920).
Nothing in this policy prohibits the use of specified characteristics in law enforcement activities designed to strengthen the department's relationship with its diverse communities (e.g., cultural and ethnicity awareness training, youth programs, community group outreach, and partnerships).
Review the the Personnel Complaints Policy regarding acceptance of complaints alleging profiling and investigation of such complaints.
Forest Grove Police Department promotes positive relationships between department members and the community by treating community members with dignity and respect and engaging them in public safety strategy development and relationship-building activities.
The Conducted Energy Device (TASER) policy provides guidelines for the issuance and use of TASER® devices. The TASER device is intended to control a violent or potentially violent individual while minimizing the risk of serious injury. The appropriate use of such a device should result in fewer serious injuries to officers and suspects.
The Control Devices and Techniques policy provides guidelines for the use and maintenance of control devices that are described in this policy. To control subjects who are violent or who demonstrate the intent to be violent, the Forest Grove Police Department authorizes officers to use control devices per the guidelines in this policy and the Use of Force Policy.
The Crisis Intervention policy provides guidelines for interacting with those who may be experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis. Interaction with such individuals has the potential for miscommunication and violence. It often requires an officer to make difficult judgments about a person's mental state and intent to effectively and legally interact with the individual.
Officers may encounter gatherings of people, including but not limited to, civil demonstrations, civic, social, and business events, public displays, parades, and sporting events. Officers should monitor such events as time permits to keep the peace and protect the safety and rights of those present.
Achieving social equity and fairness is critical to the mission of the Forest Grove Police Department. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and transparency are essential to Forest Grove's law enforcement operations and effectiveness, and we believe these elements offer pathways to community sustainability and trust.
The Forest Grove Police Department respects the rights of people to peaceably assemble. It is the policy of this department not to unreasonably interfere with, harass, intimidate, or discriminate against persons engaged in the lawful exercise of their rights, while also preserving the peace, protecting life, and preventing the destruction of property.
The purpose of this policy is to provide members of the department with guidelines for identifying and investigating incidents and crimes that may be motivated by hatred or other bias.
Definitions related to this policy include:
Hate crime - A bias crime motivated by prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or national origin of the victim (ORS 166.155; ORS 166.165).
The Homeless Persons policy is to ensure that personnel understand the needs and rights of the homeless and to establish procedures to guide officers during all contact with the homeless, whether consensual or for enforcement purposes.
It is the policy of the Forest Grove Police Department that all members make personal and professional commitments to equal enforcement of the law and equal service to the public. Confidence in this commitment will increase the effectiveness of this department in protecting and serving the entire community and recognizing the dignity of all persons, regardless of their immigration status.
The Patrol Function policy is to define the functions of the patrol unit of the Department to ensure intra-department cooperation and information sharing.
Officers will generally patrol in clearly marked vehicles, patrol assigned jurisdictional areas of Forest Grove Police Department, respond to citizen calls for assistance, act as a deterrent to crime, enforce local ordinances as well as state laws, and respond to emergencies 24 hours per day seven days per week.
This policy provides guidelines for the reporting, investigation, and disposition of complaints regarding the conduct of members of the Forest Grove Police Department. This policy shall not apply to any questioning, counseling, instruction, informal verbal admonishment or other routine or unplanned contact of a member in the normal course of duty, by a supervisor or any other member, nor shall this policy apply to a criminal investigation.
Review the Citizen Commend/Complaint Procedure
The Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) policy establishes guidelines for the use of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS / Drones). This policy should be used in conjunction with all other applicable policies and procedures.
This policy provides guidelines on the reasonable use of force. While there is no way to specify the exact amount or type of reasonable force to be applied in any situation, every member of this Department is expected to use these guidelines to make such decisions in a professional, impartial, and reasonable manner.
In addition to those methods, techniques, and tools, the guidelines for the reasonable application of force contained in this policy shall apply to all policies addressing the potential use of force, including but not limited to the Control Devices and Techniques and Conducted Energy Device policies.