The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

Related Links

Discussion

September 26, 2007

<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0>Police report lists use-of-force numbers<font color="#ff0000"> w/ JPD use-of-force summary and internal-affairs report </font>

By Greg Grisolano

ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com

Joplin police Chief Lane Roberts said he hopes publicizing the department’s use-of-force and internal-affairs reports will prompt people to ask questions.

“I want people to ask questions,” he said, “so I have the opportunity to help people understand.”

The data show that Joplin police made more than 4,600 arrests from Jan. 1 to Aug. 28 of this year. In that time, officers used some type of force in an arrest 101 times, or once every 46.5 arrests.

Types of force listed in the report include everything from pushing or taking a suspect to the ground, to knee strikes, and use of Mace and Tasers.

Tasers, devices that administer an electric shock, were used 25 times during the reporting period, making it the second most common method of use of force, behind a takedown.

Roberts said he had not yet compared the statistics with those of other agencies.

“I can’t say right now,” he said of how the Joplin numbers might stack up against those of other departments. “I don’t know how many of them are tracking statistics in the same way we do.”

Roberts said he has received some criticism for the scope of the use-of-force data included in the report.

“I’ve actually been criticized for including some of the innocuous forces like pushing, but my intent is to be sure we cannot be viewed as trying to minimize use of force,” he said. “If you don’t start with the most innocuous, where do you start the bright line?”

Roberts said the reports will be released every quarter and are open to the public.

“We’re in the process of putting this on our Web site so it’s accessible,” he said.





Internal affairs



The Joplin Police Department also is distributing reports on its internal-affairs investigations every quarter.

From January to August of this year, the department received 40 complaints — 24 from residents and 16 from officers within the department.

Of those complaints, 17 were sustained. Two complaints resulted in suspensions.

Police Chief Lane Roberts said the names of specific officers who were disciplined as a result of complaints would not be released.

Text Only
Joplin Metro
  • Ruby-Sapp-obit.jpg Longtime Democrat dies at 81

    Sapp, 81, died Thursday. Funeral services were Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. A longtime Jasper County Democratic committeewoman and volunteer, Sapp for years was secretary to the county’s central committee.

    August 9, 2010 1 Photo

  • Motivational speaker offers free marriage course

    Presented by Mark Gungor, the course is being offered free to the community. The event is being held to aid in tornado relief. 

    January 12, 2012

  • District sends faculty, administrators on site visits

    With the design phase of several buildings in Joplin Schools ending in May, the district has sent 66 administration, faculty, parents and community members on site visits to 22 schools and two technology company headquarters across the country.

    January 11, 2012

  • 011012 Jop HS mural1_72.jpg Mural depicting Joplin High School dedicated

    A four-paneled mural depicting the recent history of Joplin High School was dedicated at the Memorial 9th- and 10th-grade Center Tuesday morning. The mural will be moved to the new high school when it is completed in 2014.

    January 10, 2012 4 Photos

  • Carl Junction chamber creating new committees

    The Carl Junction Chamber of Commerce is kicking off three new committees this week with meetings scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.

    January 9, 2012

  • Body of missing Joplin man found

    The body of a missing Joplin man was discovered this afternoon inside his home in the Royal Heights neighborhood of Joplin.

    January 3, 2012

  • Wildcat Glades nature center receives $50,000 grant

    The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center has received a $50,000 TogetherGreen Innovation Grant, which is being provided through an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota.

    October 21, 2011

  • Joplin shooting victim’s name released

    The Joplin Police Department today released the name of a woman fatally shot in her home early Thursday and acknowledged that the shooting was reported as a suicide attempt.

    October 21, 2011

  • Barry Manilow to deliver donated instruments

    Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow will visit Joplin next week to donate more than $300,000 in musical instruments to replace those lost during the May 22 tornado.

    October 21, 2011

  • Extreme Makeover releases names of families

    "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has released more details about the build in the 2400 block of Connor Avenue, including the names of the seven families. They are:

    October 19, 2011