Are Rockford Police Officers prohibited from shooting at moving vehicles?

No, the law does not prohibit police officers from shooting at moving vehicles. Rockford Police Officers are required to use reasonable force when any force is used to accomplish lawful

objectives.

The Rockford Police Department demands all officers abide by the objectively reasonable force standard established by the United States Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor.

Rockford Police Officers are required to de-escalate force to a lesser level when the lesser level of force becomes appropriate.

GRAHAM V. CONNOR

The standard used to determine objectively reasonable force is articulated in the United States Supreme Court decision, Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386 (1989). The Graham decision holds that the reasonableness of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, without regard to the officer's underlying intent or motivation. The determination of reasonableness must be based on the totality of circumstances and must include a consideration that police officers are often forced to make split-second decisions in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving.

The determination of reasonableness is not based on the 20/20 vision of hindsight. Personnel is not required to use the least assertive option and shall consider the following criteria when determining which level of force to use: 

  1. The officer's legal justification for stopping the suspect
  2. The severity of the crime known to the officer at the time force was used
  3. Whether the subject was an immediate threat to the officers or others
  4. How the subject was actively resisting arrest; and 5. How the subject was attempting to evade arrest by flight.

Show All Answers

1. How often does the Rockford Police Department provide training to its officers?
2. Are Rockford Police Officers trained in de-escalation techniques and how to use peaceful conflict resolution strategies?
3. Are Rockford Police Officers required to use de-escalation?
4. What is the Rockford Police Department’s policy on the use of chokeholds or strangleholds?
5. What is the Rockford Police Department’s policy on using restraint techniques such as “hog-tying?
6. Are Rockford Police Officers required to intervene if they witness another officer using unreasonable force?
7. What actions would the Rockford Police Department take against an officer who fails to intervene?
8. Does the Rockford Police Department have a clear and enforced use-of-force continuum detailing what use of force techniques and weapons are acceptable in a wide variety of civilian-police interactions
9. . Are Rockford Police Officers ever allowed to use excessive or unreasonable force?
10. Are Rockford Police Officers prohibited from shooting at moving vehicles?
11. Are Rockford Police Officers required to exhaust every possible option before using deadly force?
12. Are Rockford Police Officers required to give a verbal warning to civilians before drawing their firearm?
13. Are Rockford Police Officers required to give a verbal warning before shooting?
14. Are Rockford Police Officers required to exhaust all other means before using deadly force?
15. Are Rockford Police Officers required to report each time they use force against a civilian?
16. Are Rockford Police Officers required to report each time they point a firearm at a civilian?
17. Does the Rockford Police Department utilize an early intervention system to identify officers that may have used unreasonable force?
18. Do Rockford Police Officers use body-worn cameras?
19. What is the Rockford Police Department’s policy on transporting civilians who are under arrest?
20. Are Rockford Police Officers trained to provide medical attention to persons who are injured during an officer’s use of force?
21. Does the Department do a background investigation on candidates ensuring they don't have a history of abuse, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia or discrimination?