LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Las Vegas Metro police announced they will release reports detailing officer-involved deaths, documents which have usually not been seen by the public.
In a news conference Monday, Sheriff Doug Gillespie said the release of these reports come as another halt was instituted in the Coroner's inquest process.
"This next step gives the public a better window into the dynamic set of circumstances that happen whenever use of deadly force is used," Gillespie said. "This allows a level of transparency that the public deserves."
The reports come coupled with the Clark County District Attorney's own findings of inquest cases. Information on three cases were released Monday regarding the deaths of Anthony Jones, Benjamin Bowman, and Anthony Brenes.
The reports are drafted by Metro's Force Investigative Team with the Office of Internal Oversight reviewing and recommending corrective actions in each incident.
The reports will be posted at www.lvmpd.com for the public to view, police said. As part of Monday's announcement, three reports were expected to be released.
Metro noted the reports come following changes in the way the department is handling use of force incidents.
Police said a Critical Incident Review Team was established to dissect the tactics, decisions, training, policies and supervision of each officer-involved death.
"I think everyone will agree that this step adds a level of accountability that our department has never seen before," Gillespie said.
The ACLU of Nevada meanwhile has long pushed for revisions to issues regarding use of force.
Executive director Dane Claussen applauded this latest effort, but said it is only one piece of a very large puzzle.
"The community is watching very closely about whether officers are ever going to be held accountable," Claussen said.
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