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Council tables adoption of updated police manual for further review after last‑minute edits
Summary
After staff and city counsel outlined statutory and DOJ‑based updates to the Lander Police Department manual, councilors asked for more time to review fit‑for‑duty and mentally‑ill/homeless language added shortly before the meeting; the resolution was tabled to Oct. 28.
Council considered Resolution 13‑70, which would adopt an updated City of Lander Police Department policy and procedure manual incorporating a range of changes the interim police chief and counsel said were needed to align policy with Wyoming law and Department of Justice standards.
City counsel outlined additions including Loudermill due‑process language for suspensions, updated drug-and-alcohol language with ADA compliance considerations, and the insertion of procedural material such as special orders language. The interim police chief described new or clarified sections on special orders (time-limited operational directives), body-worn camera policy, duty-to-deescalate and use-of-force language updated to reflect federal standards, a fit‑for‑duty procedure for officers returning after injury or surgery, and revised language on responses to persons who may be mentally ill or experiencing homelessness.
Several council members, including Council member Cox, said they were concerned because some substantive edits — particularly the fit‑for‑duty and the mentally‑ill/homeless language — were added that morning and deserved further review to ensure compliance with Wyoming Title 25 and to avoid unintended operational consequences. One council member suggested separating homelessness from mental health policy.
Given those concerns, Council member Cox moved to table adoption of Resolution 13‑70 to the Oct. 28 meeting to allow counsel and staff time to review and, if necessary, separate or revise sections. The motion to table passed on roll call. Staff will return with a clarified and redlined version at the next meeting.
