Buffalo Grove Police Department Receives Certification for Meeting Federal Use of Force Requirements

badgeOn January 15, 2021, the Buffalo Grove Police Department was notified it received the Federal Use of Force Certification through the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). This certification is part of the Safe Policing for Safe Communities Executive Order enacted in June of 2020. The Executive Order was created to ensure law enforcement agencies provide service in a safe, transparent and accountable manner. It additionally requires that use of force policies adhere to all local, state and federal laws.

Specific policies of the police department that were reviewed included use of reasonable and deadly force, de-escalation and crisis intervention. Additionally, the rendering of medical aid following police actions, duty to intervene, restrictions on vascular restraints and choke holds, weapon proficiency training and the reporting/review of use of force incidents were also among the policies reviewed. The department focuses on training officers to use de-escalation techniques, dealing with individuals in crisis so that no one is harmed, and partnering closely with the community.

CALEA is one of several entities authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice to certify the policies and training requirements. The Buffalo Grove Police Department has been accredited through CALEA since 1987, and follows policies created as best practices nationwide.

Police Chief Steve Casstevens, who worked closely with federal leadership in 2020 as President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, was very pleased to receive the certification.

“I fully supported this Executive Order and knew that our department would have no issues meeting the criteria,” he said. “This ensures that our agency continues to provide services to our community in a safe, transparent and accountable manner, while maintaining Use of Force policies that adhere to all local, state and federal laws.”