From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

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For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: December 24, 2007

Public Input Sought on Senate Bill 111 Deadly Force Plan for Lincoln County

Public input is being sought for a plan drafted in response to Senate Bill 111 requirements for Oregon counties to develop a plan concerning the use of deadly physical force by police officers.

The use of deadly physical force by law enforcement personnel is a matter of critical concern both to the public and to the law enforcement community. The purpose of this Plan is not to set the standards for the use of such force, or to be a substitute for agency policy regarding use of force, but rather to provide a framework for a consistent response to an officer’s use of deadly physical force that treats the law enforcement officer fairly, and promotes public confidence in the criminal justice system.

In accordance with the bill, a planning authority, named the Deadly Force Planning Authority (DFPA), has been created for Lincoln County and consists of representatives of law enforcement and justice agencies throughout Lincoln County.

DFPA has completed a draft plan called the Lincoln County Deadly Force Plan, which will be submitted to the governing body of each law enforcement agency within the county as well as to the Oregon State Attorney General.

This team and the plan will ultimately govern investigations and the aftermath of law enforcement use of deadly physical force throughout Lincoln County.

E-mail comments by the public can be given at lcsheriff@co.lincoln.or.us. Public hearings will be scheduled within the next several weeks to take public comment. After the public hearings, the Planning Authority will consider final adoption of the plan. Ultimately a plan will be submitted to the governing body of each jurisdiction within the county that employs a law enforcement agency, as well as the Attorney General. The plan must be approved by two-thirds of the governing bodies and the Attorney General.

For more information, contact Sheriff Dennis Dotson at (541) 265-4924.

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