§ 16-2.5-403 — Peace officer-involved shooting or fatal use of force policy

Colorado § 16-2.5-403

• Jurisdiction: Colorado
• Title 16: Criminal
• Art.: Peace Officers

Text

(1)
Each law enforcement agency shall develop and maintain a policy for supporting a
peace officer who has been involved in a shooting or fatal use of force. An involved
officer may include a peripheral officer present at the scene who reports an impact
or requests supportive services. The policy must address, at a minimum:

(a) Pre-incident preparation, including training and education about both
normal and problematic post-traumatic reactions commonly associated with
officer-involved shootings and critical incidents;

(b) Protocols to ensure an involved officer's physical and psychological
safety at the scene and following the incident;

(c) The provision of post-incident services to an involved officer, and the
ability to extend post-incident services to an officer's family and significant others
when warranted. The agency shall consider including in the policy, to the extent
possible given the agency's size and resources:

(I) At least one confidential post-incident intervention with a qualified mental
health professional in a timely manner following the incident, including through
telehealth services;

(II) Ongoing confidential mental health services from a qualified mental
health professional as needed, including through telehealth services; and

(III) Some form of peer support, including agency peer support or online or
telehealth peer support;

(d) Guidelines for temporary leave or appropriate duty reassignment as
agreed upon by an involved officer and the agency to allow an involved officer to
receive services and manage the impact of the incident on an involved officer and
an involved officer's family and significant others; and

(e) Guidelines and procedures for an officer's return to duty, including
ongoing support and services available to an involved officer. The agency shall
consider including in the policy, to the extent possible given the agency's size and
resources:

(I) A reintegration plan that considers having an officer return to the scene of
the incident if needed, fire his or her weapon at the range, and participate in a
graded reentry with a partner; and

(II) Ongoing supportive mental health services, including confidential follow-up by a qualified mental health professional, either in person or through telehealth
services.

(2) The policies required by this section must be completed by January 1,
2020. Each law enforcement agency shall review the policy on a biennial basis and,
if necessary, update the policy to reflect current best practices and available
resources.

(3) In developing, updating, and implementing the policies required by this
section, law enforcement agencies are encouraged to consult with and use the
resources available through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the
National Sheriffs' Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the American Board of
Police and Public Safety Psychology, the peace officers standards and training
board created in section 24-31-302, and ResponderStrong, or their successor
organizations, and other organizations providing similar resources and support.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2019: Entire part added, (SB 19-091), ch. 127, p. 574, � 1, effective August 2.