UPDATE: The City of Reno has officially released an updated Use of Force policy for the Reno Police Department, in light of recent events with protests over George Floyd's death.
It includes restrictions against warning shots, shooting at moving vehicles and using choke holds.
You can read those changes below:
UPDATE: Effective immediately, the City of Reno rescinds the citywide curfew implemented on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
“With all the information and intel we have at this time, we feel we can safely lift citywide restrictions,” said Jason Soto, Reno Police Chief and Acting City Manager.
The City of Reno encourages the public to refrain from gathering in groups of 50 or more people on public streets, plazas, and other public spaces nightly from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice.
“In light of the events of this past weekend, our Acting Reno Police Chief reserves the right to disperse large gatherings when they become an imminent threat to public safety,” Soto added.
“Our primary focus is the safety of our community, and the safety of our police department and personnel,” said Tom Robinson, Acting Police Chief. "We are developing these strategies I'll call them really as a way to mitigate the violence that we saw Saturday night. Our intent is not to target anybody who is engaged in lawful assembly, peaceful assembly, going to and from work, going to church, going on a jog."
During a subsequent meeting, Soto said that businesses can go about as normal, but says that people should avoid large gatherings. While the Governor's orders ask for gatherings no larger than 50, Soto says that if people gather to protest and remain peaceful, they will be allowed to gather. "If that number eclipsed, which it might be, it might not be. But if it is and it's peaceful, then I don't anticipate taking any action on it," said Soto.
Soto also says even though there are no plans to reenact a curfew, if things get dangerous, it can be put in place.
"I think that anytime that there is a safety risk that comes into play, we certainly could re-implement curfew, in fact we absolutely would if we saw a danger that presents itself to the community."
Soto also said that if officers see fellow officers use inappropriate or excessive force, they now must intervene and report it. Currently, he said that the practice is being trained, but that it could take a couple of weeks or months to put into practice.
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ORIGINAL STORY:
The City of Reno has issued a nightly curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. "out of an abundance of caution for public safety."
The citywide curfews started on Tuesday night and will continue until terminated by Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve.
They said during the hours of the curfew no person, with the exception of law enforcement, military and other emergency response personnel, government officials and authorized media, shall enter or remain in the public right of way, public parks or other public place in Reno unless they have an essential reason to be out. Residents are asked to adhere to the curfew to help protect the safety of the community.
Officials said there are currently no known threats to the community and it is not the intent of the City of Reno to prevent lawful and orderly protests and demonstrations or to curtail the right of the public to engage in free speech or lawful assembly. They said the intent of the curfew is to protect those of the community who engage in lawful protests and not to disrupt business and essential travel.
Residents are advised there will continue to be a strong police presence throughout the city. The Reno Police Department will be monitoring protests and demonstrations in the region.
Council members discussed curfew clarifications at their weekly meeting on Wednesday.
Mayor Schieve said that she would announce a clarification for businesses and citizens at 1 p.m. During the meeting, acting City Manager Jason Soto said “with permission of the mayor, the curfew will be lifted and emergency regulation and control will be put in place.”
Mayor Schieve issued a Declaration of the Existence of a Local State of Emergency on May 30, and the curfews that have been in place since are an extension of that declaration.
(City of Reno contributed to this report.)
