Lowell Police Ordered To Intervene When Excessive Force Used

LOWELL, MA—Superintendent of Police Kelly Richardson has issued a general order that requires members of the Lowell Police Department to intervene in situations where they observe excessive or unreasonable physical force by another officer. The order, titled “Duty to Intervene,” is effective immediately.

“It shall be the duty of all members of the Lowell Police Department, present at any scene where physical force is being applied by another member of the Lowell Police Department, or a member of any law enforcement agency, to intervene when the force is being unreasonably applied or no longer required,” the order reads.

According to city leaders, the order expands upon the existing obligation of officers under the department’s use of force policy to submit a report documenting their involvement and observations following any incident in which force is applied, including situations involve undue or excessive force.

“The Duty to Intervene order will build on extensive policies and training of the Lowell Police Department aimed at limiting the use of physical force by our officers and will advance the Department’s core organizational value of the sanctity of human life,” said Superintendent Kelly Richardson. “The appalling actions demonstrated in the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis undermine the public trust that the Lowell Police Department works hard to foster. The implementation of this order comes after thorough review of our existing policies and following consideration of additional measures that affirm our commitment to ensuring that similar tragedies are not possible in the City of Lowell.”

In addition to this measure, Superintendent Richardson has announced his intention to form a citizens advisory committee comprised of a diverse group of members of the Lowell community. The committee will serve to provide community input on certain policies and practices of the police department and will seek to identify areas where the department can better respond to the needs of the community. Richardson plans to recruit members to the panel and convene an initial meeting in the coming months.

“The Lowell Police Department has a longstanding commitment to approaching public safety in a community-oriented manner that focuses on building trust among the community that we serve, but we recognize there is always opportunity to improve on this approach,” said Superintendent Kelly Richardson. “The introduction of a citizens advisory committee will bring more voices to the table and will enhance our ability to be responsive to the needs of Lowell residents.”