Officer-involved shootings
(and other incidents of force resulting in serious injury or death)

POLICY AND LAW 

The Sacramento Police Department policies regarding the use of deadly force are consistent with the California Penal Code Section 835a, which states  “Any peace officer who has reasonable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has committed a public offense may use reasonable force to effect the arrest, to prevent escape or to overcome resistance. A peace officer who makes or attempts to make an arrest need not retreat or desist from his efforts by reason of the resistance or threatened resistance of the person being arrested; nor shall such officer be deemed an aggressor or lose his right to self-defense by the use of reasonable force to effect the arrest or to prevent escape or to overcome resistance.”  Officers may use deadly force if, under the circumstances, the officer reasonably believes the suspect poses a threat of death or serious bodily injury, either to the officer or to others.

For information on Sacramento Police Department policies please see our General Orders page.