In the wake of multiple incidents of police misconduct caught on tape, such as the deaths of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks, and ongoing protests against police brutality across the country, the Hanover Chief of Police has issued a special order to officers in the department, reports nhpr.
Chief Charlie Dennis has given his officer’s the order to not just report police misconduct, but to intervene during any incidents of excessive force.
This statement comes after the NH state senate passed a multifaceted police reform bill, which includes the banning of choke holds and the requirement to report police misconduct while on duty.
Derek Chauvin, a now ex-Minneapolis police officer, was using a choke hold-esque tactic when he placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. Two other officers on scene pinned the man down, and another stood by. All four have since been fired and are facing criminal charges.
“In reviewing our policy, even though we had a clear reporting of misconduct rule, and an expectation that if you saw someone using excessive force, you would intervene, it wasn’t clearly stated,” stated Dennis.
He continued, “So I’ve already made a special order effective immediately that there is a clear duty to intervene, not only report, but also to intervene.”
Dennis, who is the President of the NH Association of Chiefs of Police, stated that officers must be trained to intervene through role playing exercises so that when a dangerous circumstance occurs, they are prepared to speak up, even to a superior officer.
WNTK Local News 