Police Department : Town of Hartford
transparency
“8 Can’t Wait”
The Hartford Police Department’s Use of Force Policy incorporates recommendations from the Consensus Use of Force model released in 2017, and speaks to the principles of Campaign Zero or 8 Can’t Wait—including the continuum taught by the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, guidance for the Vermont State Police for the investigation of an officer-involved shooting, and accreditation requirements for reporting and review. The policy language was changed in September 2021 to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order 03-20 and subsequent law that took effect October 1, 2021 whereas a statewide policy was required to be adopted by all Vermont agencies. We are proud that Hartford Police Department’s Use of Force Policy prior to October 1, 2021 was already a leading model in the state, incorporating all of the best practices and principles.
Members of the Hartford Police Department are trained in de-escalation (learn more on our Section Descriptions page). In addition to annual classroom training and qualification, instructors have developed scenario based training for officers that incorporate the use of de-escalation techniques.
The overwhelming majority of use of force incidents involve someone who is under the influence of alcohol/drugs, experiencing a mental health crisis, or a combination of both. Inasmuch, Hartford Police officers have received Crisis Intervention Team Training, which teaches officers to recognize the signs/symptoms of a behavioral crisis, safe de-escalation tactics, and establish a diversion from the criminal justice system to the medical system. Selected personnel have also received additional training in de-escalation as part of the Vermont Care Partner’s Team Two initiative.