The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office has received a notification of compliance from the United States Department of Justice which notes its policies are in line with Presidential Executive Order 13929.
That executive order mandates that law enforcement agencies adhere to their use of force policies by compliance with state, federal and local laws that prohibit the use of chokeholds. Sheriff Wes Tripp said today.
Chokeholds are a physical maneuver designed to incapacitate a person and restrict their ability to breathe. The method can be used in situations where the use of deadly force is allowed by law.
The executive order was issued on June 16 of last year and signed by former President Donald Trump.
Tripp said the sheriff’s office received the Safe Policing Communities memorandum from North Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation on January 14. He said it demonstrates the sheriff’s office has satisfactorily complied with the requirements of the executive order.
The sheriff’s office had to submit it’s policy for review to receive the notification of compliance, the sheriff said.
The notification allows the sheriff’s office to receive federal funding and related grants for equipment and training. “Law enforcement agencies being deemed not in compliance with this executive order are prohibited from receiving federal funding and related grants,” he said.
Tripp said the sheriff’s office is currently waiting for approval from the county to apply for eight Viper radios.
“Receiving this Notification of Compliance with the USDOJ Safe Policing for Safe Communities Memorandum demonstrates the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing commitment to ensure we preserve the positive and professional relationship with our community,” he said. “It further supports our continued efforts to adhere to federal, state and local laws.”
Said Tripp: “The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office is determined to remain transparent and hope that this Notification of Compliance demonstrates this devotion to the safety of all of our citizens while ensuring that we make appropriate law enforcement decisions as we move forward.”
The HCSO is the first law enforcement agency in the county to receive the notification. “Furthermore, presently, we are only one of 34 sheriff’s offices in the state to have complied. This compliance shows that we are listening and acting when it comes to use of force concerns.”
What is not mentioned in the memorandum is a policy within the sheriff’s office that dictates deputies must report to their supervisor when they witness another deputy go too far with use of force, Tripp said. “This is commonly referred to as duty to act. We have taken the proactive efforts to be in compliance with what President Trump ordered in his Executive Order 13929. As we move forward with a new president we will need to continue to be vigilant in our efforts to be professional and transparent.”
Asked if the executive order could be rescinded under the Biden administration, the sheriff said, “Who knows? I have no idea what he’s going to do.”
Tripp said the notification “is proof to our citizens that we are what we say we are. On our website we cite our core values of professionalism, respect, integrity, dedication and excellence. The acronym of PRIDE is something that we can continue to use to show our citizens, and the people that travel in and through our county, how committed we are. This compliance is a big deal. We should highlight it for our neighboring law enforcement partners. It is our opportunity to be an example for others.”
