During its monthly meeting on Wednesday, the Community Oversight Board (COB) voted to issue a policy advisory report on use of force policy recommendations for the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). The COB policy recommendations are based on the #8cantwait policy recommendations made by Campaign Zero as well as policies in place in other cities across the country. Next, the Board will submit the report to Chief Steve Anderson and MNPD leadership for the purposes of a review and subsequent full implementation as an additional tool and resource to improve the relationship and trust between the Nashville community and MNPD.
The report makes three recommendations regarding MNPD policies surrounding use of force — specifically on banning choke holds and strangle holds, requiring de-escalation tactics, and banning shooting at moving vehicles. The recommendations aim to strengthen existing policies consistent with nationally recognized best practices.
“#8cantwait is indispensable to repairing trust and promoting policing that is rooted in community engagement and respect,” says Board Chair Ashlee Davis. “This is just the beginning and the COB will continue to listen to the community and make itself available to the partnerships necessary to bring these policies to fruition.”
In addition to issuing its own report, the COB has also been asked to take part in the Mayor’s Committee tasked with reviewing Nashville’s use of force policies as part of the Mayor’s participation in the My Brother’s Keeper Pledge. The use of force policy reform will be led by Cooper Administration staff Eric Brown, Coordinator of Economic Opportunity and Empowerment and Youth Development, and John Buntin, the Director of Policy and Community Safety.
The Community Oversight Board looks forward to working with Mayor Cooper, Metro Nashville Police Department, and other criminal justice stakeholders to continue to improve public safety for the Nashville community.
The approved version of the report, Policy Advisory Report on #8cantwait Use of Force Policy Recommendations, can be found on the Community Oversight Policy Advisory Reports web page.