DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Dallas Police Chief Reneé Hall issued an updated general order on Wednesday that immediately revamps the department’s protocols and procedures in the management of peaceful protests.
The modifications involve restrictions on the use of non-lethal tools such as tear gas and kinetic impact projectiles.
Across the country, police departments are re-examining their use of kinetic impact projectiles following protests of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody. DPD deployed the less-lethal tools during Dallas protests in June.
Chief Hall stated that tear gas will no longer be used to deter or control the movement of peaceful demonstrators. Additionally, pepper ball or foam kinetic impact projectiles will no longer be deployed into crowds. But, she emphasized that in the event of criminal acts such as burglary, vandalism, or violence against people and property including attacks on police officers, tear gas may be available with approval of the Chief of Police or the Chief’s designee.
“SWAT must continue to have reasonable and necessary tools in its continuum of force options,” said Hall, “but there will now be limits on their appropriate use. They can be used to control violence but not peaceful demonstrations.”
Chief Hall and her command staff are continuing to review videos and written reports collected from the events in downtown Dallas between May 29, 2020 through June 1, 2020.
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