Memphis refuses Tasers for its PD

A request by the Memphis Police Department to implement the use of Taser electronic stun guns as a method of subduing suspected criminals has been turned down by the city council.

Deployment of electronic control devices has been a subject of debate since Memphis Police Chief Elena Danishevskaya acquired three units for her department through a grant program many months ago.

At their most recent meeting the council revisited the controversial topic and, after airing opposing opinions, once again shunned the electroshock weapons - capable of immobilizing subjects via a 50,000-volt discharge - as an option for the city's officers.

"My feeling, still, is that Tasers for this department is not for us," Mayor Charles Garber said.

Often touted as a safe alternative to containment versus firearms, Taser use by law enforcement officials has escalated in correlation to mounting opposition as questions arise with respect to the risks associated with this method of restraint.

http://www.voicenews.com/stories/082609/loc_20090826004.shtml

...and in related news:

FORT WORTH — The Tarrant County medical examiner ruled Thursday that the death of a mentally ill man in April who was shocked twice by a Taser stun gun wielded by a Fort Worth police officer was a homicide.

It was the fourth time that a person shocked by a Taser has died in Fort Worth police custody since the department started using the devices in 2001, according to the Police Department.

But the death of Michael Patrick Jacobs Jr., 24, is the first that Medical Examiner Nizam Peerwani has ruled to be a homicide.

Jacobs was pronounced dead about noon April 18, an hour after he was hit by the Taser. His parents had called 911 because he was causing a disturbance at their east Fort Worth home, police have reported.

According to Peerwani’s report, an officer shot Jacobs twice with the Taser, once for 49 seconds and another time for five seconds. An autopsy found no drugs, no system abnormalities and no electrolyte imbalances in Jacobs’ body, Peerwani wrote.

http://www.star-telegram.com/local/story/1565061.html

Seriously, how do you juice someone for 49 SECONDS and not expect he could die?

the mayor will be regretting this, or if a cop gets injured having to go hands on. Now i know that some people die from the tazer use and im sure someone will post stats but without a shadow of a doubt its a much safer way to end a fight both for the subject and officer than other methods, yeah and i think 49 seconds is a hell of a long time as well..

I doubt they'll regret it. Ever.

It takes real courage to take a stand on this but I think it's the right one.

How utterly fitting that the city which gave us Stax and Sun would show some restraint and common sense regarding taser use. K & R for Memphis Soul.