A recent report presented to the Calgary Police Commission highlighted an increase in use of force incidents involving Calgary police officers in 2023. The report attributed this rise to an increase in interactions between officers and the public, as well as an uptick in the crime rate. Despite the increase in interactions, only a small proportion resulted in the use of force. The report stated that out of approximately 580,000 interactions, 901 incidents involved the use of force by officers. However, this number was still lower compared to the interactions reported in 2019.
In 2023, the use of conducted energy weapons increased by 41% compared to the five-year average. Interestingly, almost half of these incidents involved warnings only. The use of dynamic takedowns also saw a significant increase of 50% over the five-year average, with 367 incidents reported. Additionally, officers pointed a firearm 32 times last year, which was a 54% increase over the five-year average. Firearms were fired five times in 2023, while police service dogs were used 49 times, a decrease of 27% compared to the average.
The report pointed out several situational factors that contributed to the increase in use of force incidents in 2023. These included the presence of more weapons in crimes, a higher volume and severity of violent crimes, and an increase in violent crimes compared to the previous year. The incidents involving the use of force typically involved individuals experiencing high levels of distress, as well as alcohol or drug intoxication. The report also revealed that 75% of the people involved in use of force incidents had at least five prior interactions with the police.
During the presentation of the report, Deputy Chief Chad Tawfik addressed questions about the potential bias in the use of force incidents. Tawfik mentioned that while someone’s criminal record is not always known prior to an interaction, there is a higher likelihood of police involvement in use of force situations with individuals who have a criminal history. The report also highlighted the need for fast and safe de-escalation techniques to prevent further harm to the individuals involved or others. Additionally, Commissioner Heather Campbell inquired about disaggregated data using race-based demographics, and Tawfik mentioned that this data is expected to be available later in the year.
Overall, the report highlighted the complex factors contributing to the increase in use of force incidents involving Calgary police officers in 2023. While the number of incidents has risen compared to the previous year, it is noted that the overall amount of incidents is “on par” with the average over the last five years and below the number reported in 2019. The report emphasized the importance of understanding the situational factors surrounding these incidents and the need for effective de-escalation techniques to ensure the safety of both the individuals involved and the officers.
