Police Review Boards

The Goshen Police Department utilizes three (3) review boards at the department or for department issues. One of the review boards is called the Board of Public Works and Safety that consists of the Mayor and to non-police appointed residents. There is a review board for all “Response to Resistance” issues which consists of at least one member of the police executive staff (rank of Division Chief or higher), State Certified Instructors in the field of “Use of Force” and the area of what force was used such as “Firearms Instructors” or “Defensive Tactics Instructors”. There is an additional review board for all high-speed driving for emergency vehicle operations to include crashes. This board consists of member(s) of the police executive staff and State Certified Instructors in the area of emergency vehicle operations.

Board of Public Works and Safety

The Board of Public Works and Safety is a board that meets in a public forum. This board is responsible for approving or authorizing:

• Hiring of officers
• Promotion of officers
• Suspension of officers in excess of forty (40) hours
• Demotion of officers
• Termination of officers
• Hearings requested by officers who received discipline in the form of a written reprimand or higher
• The adoption of any policies for the Goshen Police Department.

Anytime the Board of Public Works and Safety addresses one of the above issues, it is in a public meeting. Any member of the public or media are allowed to attend these meetings. During any of these topics members of the public are allowed to speak or ask questions relating to what the Board is discussing.

This allows for a legal, fair and transparent process for not only the officer(s) involved by the public as well.

Response to Resistance Review Board

Anytime a Goshen Police Officer uses force in a response to resistance situation, beyond handcuffing someone, a report is required to be completed by the officer. The shift supervisor who was in charge during the particular time the officer implemented the response reviews this report. The report is attached to the paperwork whether it be a case report or arrest paperwork. In addition, the report is provided to a Division Chief and the Head Training Officer of the department.

The “Response to Resistance Review Board” consists of at least one member of the police executive staff, and State Certified Instructors in the area of the response force used. This may include the field of physical tactics or it may include the field of firearms.

This board reviews each “Response to Resistance Report”, any related paperwork and the video captured by the body camera or in-car camera reference the incident. The board looks for several things that can include;

• Was the response appropriate according to law?
• Was the response and actions allowed under police department policies?
• Was the response what was instructed to the officers involved by State Certified Instructors?
• Was there any concerns of safety for the officer requiring coaching or additional training?

If the board determines the officer acted appropriately, it will be documented and concluded. If the board determines there is a potential violation of State Law the incident will be provided to an outside law enforcement agency for an official Criminal Investigation. If the board determines there is a potential violation of Goshen Police Policy, the incident will be provided to a rank of Captain or higher for an Internal Investigation of the incident. If the board determines there were no policies or state laws violated, but safer or other means of response could have been utilized, the information will be documented and provided for specific or remedial training. This training would be scheduled through the officer’s supervisors and the training division.

Emergency Vehicle Operations Review Board

Anytime a Goshen Police Officer attempts to apprehend an individual fleeing at high speeds or is involved in a crash, the incident is reviewed by the Emergency Vehicle Operations Review Board. During the incident, the supervisor of the shift and the officer involved are required by policy to assess and follow specific approved steps.

Any reports of high-speed emergency vehicle operations or crashes are forwarded to a Division Chief and to the Head Training Officer. 

The “Emergency Vehicle Operations Review Board” consists of at least one member of the police executive staff, and State Certified Instructors in the area of the response force used. This will include instructors in the field of emergency vehicle operations. 

This board reviews any related paperwork and the video captured by the body camera or in-car camera reference the incident. The board looks for several things that can include:

• Was the response appropriate according to law?
• Was the response and actions allowed under police department policies?
• Was the response what was instructed to the officers involved by State Certified Instructors?
• Was there any concerns of safety for the officer requiring coaching or additional training?

If the board determines the officer acted appropriately, it will be documented and concluded. If the board determines there is a potential violation of State Law the incident will be provided to an outside law enforcement agency for an official Criminal Investigation. If the board determines there is a potential violation of Goshen Police Policy, the incident will be provided to a rank of Captain or higher for an Internal Investigation of the incident. If the board determines there were no policies or state laws violated, but safer or other means of response could have be utilized, the information will be documented and provided for specific or remedial training. This training would be scheduled through the officer’s supervisors and the training division.