“Tasers we have are the very first and second model issued. That would be taser two. They now have Taser seven which is a much more effective technology and is much more accurate,” Chief Tyke Hunt explained.
In her order granting Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles's request for a preliminary injunction, U.S. District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall noted an increase in reports of LAPD officers pushing, striking and firing less-lethal weapons on crowds of protesters, including media covering demonstrations, without a dispersal order being given.
The case stemmed from a suit filed by Don’t Shoot Portland, a black-led nonprofit that advocates for social and racial justice in the city. The nonprofit’s lawyers had sought more drastic sanctions, including a ban on impact munitions and for the Police Bureau to permanently remove officers from protest duty if they violate the court order, with fines issued for future violations.
The Monday ruling by Judge Richard Jones of the Western District of Washington in Seattle said the department had failed to prove that its use of pepper spray, Pepperballs, blast balls and paint balls during four 2020 protests was warranted.
If legislators approve of the contract and it is in place in December, the city could receive all the TASERs by the end of the year, Dunn said. The department could begin distributing TASERs to officers in early 2021 after they receive training.
The advisors recommended that police not wear military-style helmets or use armored vehicles during protests to minimize a “militaristic presence.”
Police Chief James Craig responded to the order by U.S. District Judge Laurie J. Michelson by saying his officers only have used force when protesters weren't peaceful and that the ruling won't change how the department handles demonstrations.
With its high-capacity 15-round magazine plus five projectile options, the less lethal FN 303 Launcher delivers safety for communities and officers alike.
In past March issues, POLICE has covered less-lethal solutions, firearms training, and response to the 1989 San Francisco Bay Area earthquake. Here's a look at the pages of POLICE 10, 20, and 30 years ago.
Your agency's policy needs to specify in what situations ECWs can be used and the responsibilities of officers for gathering evidence after use.
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