Use-of-force methods can range from verbal contact to deadly force. St. Louis Park Police Department policy defines use of force as “intentional actions by an officer that the officer knows, or reasonably should know, is likely to cause a nonconsensual, harmful or offensive bodily contact with another, or places another in imminent fear of a nonconsensual, harmful or offensive bodily contact.”

St. Louis Park Police Department policy defines deadly force as “force actually used by an officer against another with which the officer knows, or reasonably should know, creates a substantial risk of causing death or great bodily harm. The intentional discharge of a firearm in the direction of another person, or at a vehicle in which another person is believed to be, constitutes deadly force.”

The St. Louis Park Police Department provides annual use-of-force training that integrates techniques of de-escalation that help in achieving positive outcomes. Learn more about use-of-force training on the frequently asked questions page.

Use of force policy

Below is the department policy manual for use of force.

• Use-of-force policy

Use of force dashboard: Response to Resistance

The Response to Resistance use-of-force dashboard provides information about incidents where officers use force against a subject, including the age, race and gender of the subject of force; the subject’s actions; whether injuries were sustained and if so what type; the circumstances that led to the use of force; and the type of force used.

The interactive dashboard is divided into four sections:

1. Summary incident data
2. Number of use-of-force occurrences by month and distribution of types of incidents
3. Breakdown of occurrences
4. Breakdown of subject demographics

Note: The dashboard will be updated at least quarterly.

City council presentation

During a July 27, city council study session, the police chief and deputy police chief presented an overview of the police department's use-of-force policy, reviewed the #8cantwait (click on "policing reform and initiatives") policy recommendations and updated the council on the recently passed Minnesota Police Accountability Act. Below is the presentation given to the city council.

• July 27, 2020, police use-of-force policy presentation to the St. Louis Park City Council

Use-of-force annual reports

Below are annual reports on use-of-force incidents.

• 2022 use-of-force annual report
• 2021 use-of-force annual report
• 2020 use-of-force annual report
• 2019 use-of-force annual report
• 2018 use-of-force annual report