Community meetings about the St. Paul police department’s revised use-of-force policy will begin next week.

Last month, the police department released a draft copy of the new policy, which spells out when officers can use force. It’s dramatically different from the current policy and police officials have said the changes are a way to formalize a cultural shift underway in recent years.

The police department said it is looking for public feedback on the draft policy. During the community meetings, which are to be independently moderated, the police department’s training staff will present information, and people will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback, the department said Thursday.

The community meetings all will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. They are Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Richard Rowan Public Safety Training Center, 600 Lafayette Road; Thursday, Feb. 22, at the police Western District office, 389 N. Hamline Ave; and Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Wellstone Center, 179 E. Robie St.

People can read the draft policy and also send comments to the police department about it at stpaul.gov/police.