Are the officers in the West Chester Police Department required to give a verbal warning to citizens before drawing their weapon or using force?

Officers are trained that giving verbal warnings or commands are always an officer’s first option before drawing a weapon or using force. However, every incident is handled on a case-by-case basis based on the facts known to the officer in that incident. The officer must balance the ability and time necessary to provide a warning with the imminent danger and risk of serious physical injury or death faced by both the officer and the involved citizens. As the United States Supreme Court has stated, “police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments — in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving — about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation.” (Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 397 (1989)).

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1. Are the police officers in the West Chester Police Department being trained to deescalate altercations by using peaceful conflict resolution strategies?
2. Are the police officers in the West Chester Police Department prohibited from using carotid restraints (chokeholds, strangleholds, etc.)?
3. Are the police officers in the West Chester Police Department required to intervene if they witness another officer using excessive force? Will officers be reprimanded if they fail to intervene?
4. Are the officers in the West Chester Police Department required to give a verbal warning to citizens before drawing their weapon or using force?
5. Are the officers in the West Chester Police Department required to report each time they threaten to or use force on citizens?
6. Are the officers in the West Chester Police Department trained to perform and seek necessary medical action after using force?
7. Is there an early intervention system enforced to correct officers who use force?
8. Do the West Chester Police use body cameras?
9. What can I do as a concerned citizen?