Lancaster police present use-of-force report, training overview; chief says department mandates de-escalation and regular review

Chief Mendez presented Lancaster’s police bureau training and use-of-force reporting procedures to the public safety committee on April 1, describing mandated training requirements, reporting triggers and multi-layered internal reviews.

Chief Mendez said Lancaster requires officers to complete a minimum of 16 hours of training annually and described internal and external training programs including defensive tactics, de-escalation, mental-health awareness, trauma-informed approaches and crisis-intervention training (CIT). "We mandate 16 hours of training a year... Since January of 2024, they have conducted over a hundred and 50 hours of training on their own time," the chief said, noting voluntary training that officers undertake outside paid duty time.

On use-of-force reporting, the chief said the department’s policy (posted on the city website since 2022) requires officers to complete a use-of-force report before the end of their shift when specified triggers occur—examples include any person being struck by an officer, use of chemical agents, deployment of a conducted energy device (taser), impact-weapon deployment, pointing a firearm in the direction of a person, canine bites, visible injuries or requests for medical treatment. The department also requires a report when a supervisor directs it or when an officer feels one is appropriate.

Chief Mendez outlined the internal review process: officer report → officer-in-charge (lieutenant) review including body-camera and vehicle-camera footage → training cadre review → division captain review → chief of police final review; internal affairs may review at any stage. He highlighted early-intervention alerts to flag patterns of concern, random body-camera reviews and a duty-to-intervene policy for officers.

The chief presented quarterly statistics: in the quarter cited there were 8,698 calls for service, 477 arrests and 29 arrests requiring use-of-force reporting. He noted reporting thresholds (for example, firearms pointed in the direction of a person generate a report) can make some categories appear higher because the reporting standard is broad. He also said the bureau had recorded 17 youth gun seizures year-to-date and described partnerships (police social workers, community engagement, school resource officers, and youth intervention partners) to reduce youth violence.

Committee members asked about a separate use-of-force reporting standard when minors are involved; the chief said reporting and the policy are the same regardless of age. Council members requested more accessible reporting; the chief said quarterly use-of-force statistics are posted online and that the bureau could provide quarterly briefings to council on incidents and findings.

Council members also asked about civilian review boards. Mayor comments to the committee noted that civilian review bodies in Pennsylvania are typically advisory and that police disciplinary processes are governed by collective-bargaining agreements and by state law, which can limit external disclosure; the mayor and chief emphasized accreditation (PLEAC) and transparency measures as alternative pathways for independent validation of policies and practices.

Sources: Public safety committee meeting, April 1, 2025; Chief Mendez (Lancaster Police Bureau) presentation and Q&A; mayoral remarks on civilian review boards and accreditation.