(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Law Enforcement Transparency and Advisory Commission (LETAC) released new recommendations for the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) on Monday, Oct. 21, including changes to how it handles protests.
The commission found some officers occasionally use excessive force when dispersing demonstrations. It recommended a legal review of city ordinances governing when and how people can gather to help reduce conflict between officers and protesters, as well as additions to the Civic Superhero page on the City’s website to provide residents with pertinent information about their constitutional rights.
The presentation also included recommendations for improved hands-on training for CSPD officers on safe arrest techniques, suggesting one hour of duty time every two weeks for training in tactics such as martial arts, de-escalation, and self-defense. These skills aim to build officers’ confidence and promote more effective, less aggressive handling of confrontational situations.
The report reflected that the majority of CSPD patrol officers strongly support the extra training sessions.
