San Jose police on Tuesday debuted a new approach to explaining officer-involved shootings.
According to a news release, the department introduced a "frequently asked questions" section on its website – located prominently on the homepage – about how such incidents are investigated.
"Transparency is one of the San Jose Police Department's core principles," the release continued. "We believe it is important for the community to understand the investigative process, oversight, monitoring and incident review process."
Tuesday’s move comes in the wake of two fatal officer-involved shootings in under 24 hours – the first on Aug. 17 and the second, the next day – that were connected to a homicide on Lundy Avenue earlier in the month. A third suspect involved in the death of San Jose resident Christopher Wrenn, 38, remains at large, police said.
The page features information about the department’s procedure for investigating officer-involved shootings, its guidelines on the use of force, the objective of reviewing officer-involved incidents that cause injuries or deaths, officers' duty manuals as well as the role of the Santa Clara County District Attorney and Independent Police Auditor.
It also seeks to answer other questions, including "Why would an officer use a firearm against a citizen?" and "What happens to the officer involved in the shooting incident?"
For more information, visit www.sjpd.org.
