Officer Involved Shootings

ALL COMPLETED OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING REVIEW LETTERS CAN BE FOUND IN THE NEWS/MEDIA SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE

Use of Force Investigations Pending Decision (After 180 Days)

This webpage complies with Utah Code § 76-2-408(6) - Once a criminal investigation is turned over from law enforcement, the county or district attorney's findings or analyses into an officer's use of force shall be completed within 180 days of the turnover. If the findings or analyses is not published within 180 days of the turnover, the county or district attorney shall post a public statement on the county or district attorney's website stating a reasonable estimate when the findings or analyses will be complete and the reason for the delay.

The following use of force investigations were presented to the DA’s Office more than 180 days ago and remain under review:

• 9/04/20 incident involving SLCPD, investigated by WVCPD Protocol Team
• 5/21/21 incident involving VFAST (DHS and UPD), investigated by UPD Protocol Team
• 6/22/21 incident involving Murray PD, investigated by SLCPD Protocol Team
• 10/16/21 incident involving NSLPD, investigated by SLCPD Protocol Team
• 11/04/21 incident involving TVPD, investigated by WJPD Protocol Team
• 11/26/21 incident involving SJPD, investigated by UPD Protocol Team

In accordance with its’ legal and ethical obligations, the DA’s Office carefully reviews and considers the evidence in each use of force case before rendering a screening decision.  In doing so, the DA’s Office completes a thorough review of the evidence presented by the protocol team (e.g., police reports and logs, scene documentation, witness statements and interviews, audio and video recordings, including body-worn camera recordings, etc.).  The DA’s Office conducts additional investigation as needed and may request additional evidence from the protocol team.  In addition, while the use of expert witnesses is not necessary or helpful in every use of force encounter, the DA’s Office evaluates whether, based upon the particular facts and issues in a case, expert analysis would be valuable in a potential prosecution, and consults with experts as needed.  In each case, the DA’s Office must be satisfied that, based upon legally admissible evidence, the elements of a crime can be proven and that a claim of justification (as is commonly asserted in use of force cases) can be disproven; in other words, the DA’s Office must be satisfied that there is a reasonable likelihood of success at trial.

The above-listed cases have required additional review to ensure that the facts and issues specific to each case are carefully analyzed in light of applicable laws, as well as the current practices, policies, and standards for the use of deadly force.  We anticipate that findings in these matters will be completed within the next 180 days.