In response to the survey from 10 Tampa Bay regarding the “8 Can’t Wait” movement, I have compiled

responses to each point as noted below.

1. Restrict chokeholds and strangleholds (including carotid restraints) to situations where deadly
force is authorized or prohibiting them altogether.

These terms are not defined either by “8 Can’t Wait” or by 10 Tampa Bay. Our response is that,
if such a hold is defined as force that is likely to cause death or great bodily injury, then
application would be limited to situations where deadly force is authorized. See policies below:

101.03: Deadly force is defined by Florida State Statute as force that is likely to cause death or
great bodily harm.

101.01: Sworn members are permitted to use only that force which they reasonably believe to
be necessary in conducting lawful actions.

101.091: Sworn members should always try to resolve a situation with only the most reasonable
amount of force necessary.

2. Require officers to de-escalate situations, when possible, before using force.

The term “de-escalate” is not defined either by “8 Can’t Wait” or by 10 Tampa Bay. Our
response is that verbal dialogue is instructed and included in our use of force continuum as a
response across all levels of resistance.

3. Require officers to give a verbal warning, when possible, before using deadly force.

We do not require a verbal warning, as there are foreseeable circumstances where a warning
may create or increase the danger to the officer or others.

4. Require officers to exhaust all other reasonable alternatives before resorting to using deadly
force.

101.01: Sworn members are permitted to use only that force which they reasonably believe to
be necessary in conducting lawful actions.

114.041: Sworn members may discharge their firearms in connection with the performance of
official duties, for the following reasons: To defend themselves or others from death or great
 bodily harm, when all other means of defense have failed and the sworn member reasonably
believes that the action is necessary.

5. Require officers to intervene to stop another officer from using excessive force.

200.041 V.18: Conduct unbecoming a police employee. No employee shall commit acts that
constitute conduct unbecoming a police employee, which includes but is not limited to: d.
Failure to take appropriate action to preserve and protect life or property

200.041 IV.2: Failure to report violations of criminal laws, rules or orders. Employees knowing
of other employees violating criminal laws, rules or orders of the agency shall report such
violations in writing to their immediate supervisor or the chief of police.

6. Prohibit officers from shooting at people in moving vehicles unless the person poses a deadly
threat by means other than the vehicle.

114.054: Sworn members are prohibited from shooting at or from a moving vehicle, except to
defend themselves or other persons from death or great bodily harm when all other means of
defense or evasive action have failed.

7. Use a Force Continuum or Matrix that define/limit the types of force and specific weapons that
can be used to respond to specific levels of resistance.

See attached

8. Require officers to report both uses of force and threats/attempted uses of force (for example,
reporting instances where an officer intentionally points a firearm at a civilian).

101.10 Reporting Responses to Resistance101.101A sworn member who usesa degree of force
greater than soft empty hand control, in response to resistance, shall complete an incident or
offense report and an ACISS use of force supplement for agency review. When multiple officers
are involved, each officer must complete a use of force supplement in ACISS.

101.106Intentionally pointing a firearm, at a human being, regardless of whether it is loaded

with less-lethal ballistics, impact projectiles, or lethal ammunition, constitute a reportable
incident under this directive.

9. How often does your agency require officers to undergo implicit bias training?

In 2016, we completed Fair and Impartial Policing training with all sworn officers. Since then, we
have hired 11 officers due to normal attrition. Assuming the budget is available, we intend to
have these officers trained in 2021. This program is not designed to be instructed on a recurring
basis.

10. Does your agency have a strategy and timeline for achieving a representative proportion of
police officers who are women and people of color?
 The Gulfport Police Department currently employs 31 sworn officers. Five of them (16.1%) are
women. This exceeds the state average of 15.8%. 10 Tampa Bay did not define “people of
color,” but we employ 2 Asian, 2 Hispanic, and 2 black officers. The census population of
Gulfport is 8% black, 2% Asian, and 4% Hispanic. We have a full-time recruiter who actively
seeks minority applicants, but once an application is received, the selection process does not
give any regard to race.

Robert Vincent
Chief of Police

Gulfport Police Department Use of Force Continuum

Levels of Resistance
Non- Passive Active Physical Aggressive Aggravated
verbal/verbal Resistance Resistance Physical Physical
Resistance Resistance Resistance

Officer Response
Verbal Dialogue/Commands
Soft Empty Hand Control
Physical Control Techniques
Counter Moves and Strikes
O.C. Spray and Conducted Energy Weapons
Impact Weapons and Munitions
Deadly Force