Reports of Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incidents

What is an officer-involved fatal incident?

An officer-involved fatal incident is an event where police are directly involved and, as a result of the incident, a community member or a police officer loses their life.

What happens when an officer-involved fatal incident occurs?

When an officer-involved fatal incident occurs in Contra Costa County, several agencies work together, each with a specific and independent role that is outlined in the Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Involved Fatal Incident Protocol (LEIFI). In addition to the LEIFI protocol, the City of Richmond has implemented an independent review process through the Community Police Review Commission. 

How does the investigation occur?

The investigation can be broken down into four primary parts, each with its own independent purpose. 

The role of the Richmond Police Department's Investigations Bureau is to investigate the actions of the involved community member and determine if the community member violated any laws.

The role of the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office is to investigate the actions of the involved officers to determine whether they violated any laws. In compliance with AB 1506, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) is required to investigate an officer-involved shooting resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian. The DOJ will take the lead role in the place of the Contra Costa District Attorney in these instances.

The role of the Richmond Police Department's Office of Professional Accountability is to investigate the actions of the involved officers to determine whether they violated any department policies.

The role of the Community Police Review Commission is to independently investigate officer-involved fatal incidents and review the facts, evaluate police actions, and provide oversight and accountability to the community. 

The Richmond Police Department values and respects the dignity of every human life. We recognize that the authority to use force carries great responsibility and requires careful judgment. Protecting the public welfare demands ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and a fair balance of all interests.

To ensure accountability, the department reviews and evaluates every reportable use of force incident, with the goal of maintaining public trust and upholding the highest standards of professionalism. When evaluating use-of-force incidents, the goal is to determine whether the force was objectively reasonable. The standard was established in Graham v Conner. 

What “Objectively Reasonable” Means in the Use of Force.

When evaluating an officer’s use of force, the law requires that it be “objectively reasonable.” This means the decision is judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene at that moment, based on the facts known at the time—not with the benefit of hindsight.

Officers are often required to make split-second decisions in tense, uncertain, and rapidly changing situations. Because of this, the standard does not ask whether the officer’s actions were perfect, but whether they were reasonable under the circumstances.

By using this standard, the Richmond Police Department ensures that all uses of force are reviewed fairly, consistently, and with accountability to the community.