SPOKANE, Wash. — Police Chief Kevin Hall is defending officers’ use of force during Wednesday’s protests.
“It appears to me, at least from the Spokane Police Department side, all of those uses of force were justified,” Hall said, referencing findings from preliminary investigations.
According to Hall, both Spokane Police and the Sheriff’s Office deployed bean bags and foam batons. No directive was given to deploy non-lethal munitions, but officers can use them when they perceive “assaultive behavior” from crowd members.
All uses of force are under investigation.
“If an individual officer perceives force being used and they have to respond with force, the minimum amount of force necessary to ensure the safety of those around them or the officer or their fellow officers,” Hall said.
Tear gas was not used. SPD policy requires riot conditions for tear gas deployment. County Commissioner Josh Kerns called Wednesday’s events a riot, but Hall disagrees.
“I would not consider what we had over there the other night a riot,” Hall said. “The vast majority of that crowd were peaceful. But there was a component who were not.”
Police are preparing for additional protests this weekend as tens of thousands are expected downtown.
“We want you to express your First Amendment rights. Just do it lawfully and follow the directions of the police officers.”
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