TURKEY CREEK, La. — The Turkey Creek Police Department presented a new police manual to the city council at its regular meeting last week for approval, which includes de-escalation tactics and procedures on use of force for officers on duty.
Turkey Creek Police Chief Shawn Eckhart tells KATC that when he took the position in March that the department did not have a standard operating procedure for officers, which made him research procedures from different law enforcement agencies across the country.
He said that eventually he crafted one that would work for officers in Turkey Creek that includes de-escalation tactics and use of force procedures updated for today’s society.
He added that without a proper standard operating procedure in place it is hard to hold any officer accountable for something if the officer does not know what actions to take in certain situations.
Eckhart said that having a standard operating procedure was one of main requests from the Louisiana Legislature for all law enforcement agencies in the state to have a de-escalation policy by Sept. 25.
Eckhart said he presented the manual to the council on Sept. 15 to get the process started to have the manual in place for TCPD.
According to Evangeline Today, the council voted to propose an ordinance to implement the policy manual, and there will be a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6:20 p.m. regarding the matter.
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Download our free app for Apple,Android, Roku and Amazon devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
