Control Event Statistics

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    Value Statement

    The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office respects the value and sanctity of human life and recognizes the inherent dignity of every person. The Sheriff’s Office understands that investing members with the authority to use physical force to protect the public welfare creates a solemn obligation to guide members as they balance the important social and individual interests involved.

    The Sheriff’s Office further recognizes that the use of deadly physical force will emotionally, physically, and psychologically impact the member involved, the subject of the deadly physical force, and he family and friends of both and can impact the community as well. 

    The Sheriff’s Office requires that members be capable of applying, when needed, effective and reasonable physical force and tactics on behalf of the community. The Sheriff’s Office places a high value on resolving confrontations, when practical, with less physical force than the maximum that may be allowed by law.

    2022 - Annual Use of Force Report

    For additional questions, please email: controlevents@mcso.us 
    For archived reports, please file a public records request.

    • Force Reasons
      Force Reason Definition
      Prevent Offense  Prevent or terminate the commission or attempted commission of an offense 
      Make an arrest Lawfully take a person into custody, make an arrest, or prevent an escape 
      Prevent self-harm Prevent a suicide or self-inflicted injury 
      Safety/security - person Defend the member or other person from injury or the use of force 
      Safety/security/efficiency - operations Maintain the safety, security, and efficient operation of a Multnomah County facility 
      Prevent property damage/loss Prevent or minimize property damage or loss
      Official purpose/perform duty Accomplish an official purpose or perform a duty authorized by law or judicial decree 
      Stop/prevent adult in custody fight Prevent adult in custody fight
      Defend self/other from injury Maintain the safety and security of Multnomah County Sheriff's Office members, other Multnomah County employees, third parties, or the general public in a Multnomah County facility

    • Force Types

      Force Types are categories of tools and techniques used to control an event. Force Type numbers are for all Force Types used, as more than one Force Type may be used in an event.

      Force Type Definition
      Restraints Tools physically applied to partially or completely restrict mobility.  These include arm restraint band, restraint chair, restraint board, and flex cuffs.   Typically used in response to resistance.
      Control techniques Control techniques are applied to a part of the body in response to resistance, to gain compliance, and to avoid higher levels of force.  This includes directional control, joint control, carry and slide.  Control techniques are not intended to or reasonably likely to cause substantial pain or physically injury.
      Takedowns Techniques where the deputy physically takes the person to the floor or ground in response to resistance, to gain control, and to avoid higher levels of force.  These include arm, hair, joint, leg, leg sweep, and tackle.  There are dynamic takedowns and controlled takedowns where the risk of injury is very minimal.
      Pressure points When pressure is physically applied to part of the body in response to resistance.  Used to gain compliance, and to avoid higher levels of force or to restrict mobility.
      Handheld chemical incapacitant Handheld Chemical Incapacitant means the following, together or separately: Handheld munitions and devices are specifically designed to cause temporary pain, temporary irritation, temporary disruption of vital processes, temporary incapacitation, temporary disability or permanent harm through the toxic properties of toxic chemicals, or their precursors, that would be released as a result of the employment of the handheld munitions and devices; and any equipment specifically designed for use directly in connection with the employment of handheld munitions and devices as described above.  “Handheld chemical incapacitant” does not include tear gas (HB 4008). 
      Conducted electrical weapon (CEW/taser) A less lethal system capable of delivering electrical energy designed to cause involuntary muscle contractions and overrides the subjects voluntary muscle responses.  Used in response to resistance, to defend the member and/or the public and to avoid higher levels of force. Can be deployed through projected probes or pushing directly against the skin (drive stun).
      Impact weapon Impact weapons are tools such as a baton, asp, and long bat or shield used in response to resistance, to defend the member and/or the public and to avoid higher levels of force.
      Kinetic impact projectiles All nonlethal, less-lethal or semi lethal projectiles, including but not limited to rubber and plastics bullets, beanbag rounds, sponge rounds and pellet rounds.   Used in response to resistance, to defend the member and/or the public and to avoid higher levels of force.
      Strikes (hands, elbows, knees, feet) A focused strike to the person’s body.  Strikes are used in response to resistance, to defend the member and/or the public, to gain compliance, and to avoid higher levels of force.
      Deadly physical force Any force, under the circumstances in which it is used, readily capable of causing Serious Physical Injury or death. ORS 161.015 (3)
      Other Police canine (engagement), Pursuit Intervention Strategies (Dynamic Box-in)

    • Locations

      Data for the location is based on the actual event locations.

      Corrections Division
      Location Definition
      Reception Booking area to include reception and holding
      MCDC Housing Multnomah County Detention Center modules
      MCDC Other Includes lobby, hallways, elevator, Close Street, visiting
      room, law library
      MCIJ Housing Multnomah County Inverness Jail dorms
      MCIJ Other MCIJ processing, hallways, visiting room, kitchen, video
      court room, work crew
      Other Includes Court, Gresham Temporary Holding, Hospital; in
      addition FSO areas include JDH, libraries, Gateway
      Law Enforcement Division
      Location Definition
      District 10 Northwest unincorporated Multnomah County, including Sauvie Island 
      District 20 Southwest unincorporated Multnomah County, including Dunthorpe and parts of Lake Oswego 
      District 30 Maywood Park, Wood Village, and parts of unincorporated Multnomah County west of Troutdale
      District 40 Unincorporated Multnomah County, west of the Sandy river, including Pleasant Valley
      District 50 Unincorporated Multnomah County east of Troutdale, including the Columbia River Gorge and Corbett 
      District 60 Troutdale, north of SW Cherry Park Road
      District 70 Troutdale, south of SW Cherry Park Road
      District 80 Fairview
      River Multnomah County Columbia and Willamette Rivers
      Other Includes incorporated cities (Portland and Gresham) and other areas outside of MCSO Patrol Districts