APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — In its 2023 Use of Force Report released Wednesday, the Appleton Police Department (APD) revealed there were 87 instances of officers using force against a person, a “significant increase” from previous years.
APD said this can be attributed largely to a nearly 26.5% increase in “individuals actively resisting officers attempts to make an arrest.”
Officers were met with “assaultive or deadly force behavior” in approximately 15% of use of force incidents, APD said.
Overall statistics provided by APD in the report include:
- 85 calls for service involving 87 subjects
- Passive countermeasures used on 68 of the 87 subjects
- ECD deployment used to assist in detaining/arresting 17 subjects
- One use of deadly force
- 53 officers used force, some more than once during the year
- 19 officers suffered injuries, either visible or claimed, during force incidents
- Two officers required medical treatment for injuries sustained in force incidents
- 11.5% of uses of force required a subject to receive medical treatment at a hospital; most in combination for required medical clearance before jail admittance
APD said all incidents of use of force were reviewed and classified as “justified.”
The Appleton Police Department firmly believes that transparency is essential in maintaining public trust. By making the Use of Force Review Report readily accessible to the community, we aim to create an environment of openness, accountability, and collaboration. We encourage all community members, organizations, and stakeholders to review the report and actively participate in the ongoing dialogue on shaping the future of law enforcement in our city.
To read the entire 2023 Use of Force report, click here.
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