Law enforcement technologyPortland's police bureau reviews taser policies
The Portland Police department has reviewed the use of taser stun guns by officers, and found that policies and practices could be improved; after examining fifty cases of taser use, the study found that in 80 percent of the cases, the use of a taser gun led to a resolution of the situation
Video capture of officer about to use taser // Source: examiner.com
Recent officer-involved shootings in which taser use proved ineffective have prompted the anxiety of Portland’s citizenry. An audit of the Portland Police Bureau’s taser use polices has found that some key aspects need clarification to ensure greater accountability in the event that multiple and prolonged taser use are deemed necessary.
A 2010 report titled “Police Taser Use” by Portland city auditor LaVonne Griffin-Valade found that incidents were generally resolved, but that some practices and policies could be improved. The report aimed to assess policy and effectiveness as compared to Bureau policy and other police agencies across the nation.
The audit took its data from fifty incidents involving taser use in 2009. In approximately 80 percnet of the cases reviewed, taser use led to the incident’s resolution, whereas more than three cycles (at fives seconds each) were used in about one-fifth of the fifty cases.
Modern tasers use electro-muscular disruption (EMD) technology to discharge voltages of approximately 50,000 volts at 26 watts that overrides the central nervous system without affecting cardiac muscle. To put it into perspective, one can receive a 25,000-volt shock of static electricity from a doorknob without harm, although the typical household current of 110 volts is much more lethal because of the amperes or amps of current that would pass through a body, indefinitely.
A study released in the Annals of Emergency Medicine showed that of 1,201 taser incidents studied, 99.75 percent resulted in either mild or no injuries to subjects with the majority of injuries resulting from the fall that accompanies being tasered, but officers are trained to take their surroundings into consideration before use.
The audit recommended the Bureau improve upon their supervisory reports by completing them in a timely manner, including clarifications, having supervisors sign them when taser use was indicated. The Bureau should also have every force report indicating taser use signed by supervisors to ensure that the proper actions were taken.
Modern tasers are being developed with tactical networking system that use close-range wireless communication capabilities to facilitate accurate incident reporting.
Chief Reese has encouraged citizens to visit their local precincts and provide feedback to officers during scheduled neighborhood meetings.
The audit team has asked the Portland Police Bureau to provide them with a status report in one year through the office of the mayor, detailing steps taken to address recommendations found by auditors.
