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SRPD adopts Axon Standards and expands training after independent auditor review; chief details pursuit and use-of-force improvements
Summary
Police Chief John Kriegen told the subcommittee SRPD will migrate to Axon Standards for force and complaint tracking, has added two full-time training officers to standardize instruction, and is reviewing pursuit and PIT training options amid auditor recommendations
The Santa Rosa Police Department presented its response to five recommendations from the independent police auditor (OIR), describing new data tools, training changes and pursuit-review commitments.
Chief John Kriegen said the department reviewed 62 personnel investigations for calendar-year 2024 and that the auditor's scope now includes use-of-force incidents and vehicle pursuits. Kriegen said the department logged roughly 24,000 hours of training in 2024.
To improve review and analysis, SRPD is migrating from its legacy system (IA Pro) to Axon Standards, which Kriegen said will better integrate body-worn and fleet camera video, support analytic searches and standardize post-incident review. "Axon Standards gives us the ability to more holistically dive deeper into some of the data that we have," Kriegen said.
SRPD described five OIR recommendations and its responses: standardize and enhance use-of-force review practices; redesign computerized force tracking (Axon migration) and related analytic guidelines; enlarge the influence of the training cadre (two new training officers were reallocated internally); strengthen PIT (pursuit intervention technique) and spike-strip training; and continue comprehensive pursuit reviews with discipline where warranted.
Kriegen said most uses of force in 2024 were takedowns and other lower-level control techniques; there were no firearms discharges or in-custody deaths reported in 2024. He noted pursuit cancellation rates and said the department will hold officers accountable where performance deviates from policy. On PIT training, Kriegen said a local program would require dedicated vehicles and about $50,000 annually to sustain because of wear-and-tear costs and vehicle preparation; the department will continue sending officers to regional training while exploring local options.
On camera activation, the chief described automatic fleet-camera triggers (lights on) and an Axon Signal perimeter feature that automatically records when officers enter a call zone; officers' body-worn cameras have a 30-second buffer and officers must categorize activations. Kriegen said the department publishes a complaint dashboard and maintains daily contact with the independent auditor.
Committee members asked about camera activation triggers, PIT training logistics and opportunities for multi-agency cost sharing on training and equipment; Kriegen said the department has discussed options with neighboring agencies and the county but local programs are constrained by costs and vehicle availability.
The subcommittee also received an SRPD update on problem-oriented policing, the nine-beat structure and the My Santa Rosa app as a way for residents to report non-emergency issues to the appropriate beat team.
