South Jersey Criminal Lawyer Lou Casadia ( https://lacelaw.com ) is joined by Use of Force Expert, Glenn Garrels.

In this episode of the New Jersey Criminal Podcast, Mr. Garrels shares insights from his extensive career in law enforcement, particularly focusing on his time in major crimes and the complexities surrounding officer-involved shootings.

He discusses the rigorous standards for use of force, the impact of recent legal changes requiring grand jury presentations for police shootings, and the emotional toll on officers involved in such incidents.

Garrels emphasizes the importance of thorough investigations and the challenges posed by public perception and political pressures in the realm of police accountability.

In this conversation, the speakers discuss the unpredictability of police shootings, the evolution of use of force policies, and the importance of de-escalation techniques in law enforcement.

They explore the complexities of determining reasonable force, the role of private security, and the differences between self-defense and law enforcement use of force. The discussion also highlights the significance of body cameras in capturing incidents and the challenges they present in understanding the full context of police actions.takeaways

• Mr. Garrels spent 22 years in law enforcement, primarily in major crimes.

• He investigated 40-50 suspicious deaths and 5-10 homicides annually

.• Understanding use of force policies is crucial for effective investigations.

• The Graham standard requires officers to make split-second decisions.

• New Jersey's Attorney General guidelines dictate use of force standards.

• Every officer-involved shooting must be presented to a grand jury.

• The recent law change has increased pressure on investigations

.• Transparency in police shootings is essential for public trust

.• Investigations must be thorough to ensure justice is served

.• The emotional impact on officers involved in shootings is significant. Police shootings can vary significantly year to year.

• New use of force policies are more detailed and complex.

• De-escalation techniques are crucial but not always feasible.

• Reasonableness of force is subjective and case-dependent

.• Body cameras provide valuable evidence but have limitations.

• Understanding the totality of circumstances is essential in use of force cases.

• Private security has different guidelines compared to law enforcement.

• Self-defense laws require a duty to retreat in most cases.

• The perception of the officer at the time of the incident is critical.

• Training and experience play a significant role in an officer's decision-making.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mr. Garrels Career

01:12 Major Crimes Investigations Overview

02:15 Use of Force Policies and Procedures

05:01 Understanding the Graham Standard

09:24 Impact of Grand Jury Presentations

12:30 Political Implications of Use of Force Laws

17:07 Grand Jury Process and Its Challenges

21:33 Shifts in Officer Attitudes Post-Law Change

25:01 Comparing Officer-Involved Shootings to Other Crimes

30:06 Final Thoughts on Officer Accountability

32:06 The Unpredictability of Police Shootings

33:27 Changes in Use of Force Policies

40:39 De-escalation Techniques in Policing

45:40 Understanding Reasonableness of Force

47:21 Private Security and Use of Force

51:35 Self-Defense vs. Law Enforcement Use of Force

56:05 The Role of Body Cameras in Policing