Attorneys Gerhardstein & Branch release survey about Taser risks.
Cincinnati, Ohio. The survey was compiled by the Law Firm of Gerhardstein & Branch Co LPA based on public record requests to all law enforcement agencies in Hamilton County Ohio. The 18 page report includes a detailed spreadsheet summarizing all of the policies and serious problems related to these policies.
94% of agencies’ materials do not adequately warn that Tasers can capture the heart rhythm of the subject, possibly leading to death.
67% of policies permit upper chest shots despite the manufacturer’s warning moving the preferred target zone away from the upper chest.
70% of policies do not instruct officers to consider the seriousness of the crime before deciding whether or not to use the Taser.
33% policies do not specifically instruct officers to consider the risk of secondary impact of falling from an elevated surface subsequent to Taser use.
27% of policies do not restrict Taser use on vulnerable populations such as juveniles, elderly individuals, or the visibly pregnant
100% of policies fail to require that Taser output be tested to ensure that the actual performance of the device is within manufacturer’s specifications.
73% of policies do not require an investigation that includes a data download from the Taser’s memory chip after use to independently verify the number and duration of shocks delivered to the subject.
15% of policies explicitly authorize officers to use their Taser on a fleeing subject, regardless of the crime or the threat to the public.
Taser Risks in Hamilton County Ohio.pdf
Appendix A - Hamilton County Ohio Taser Policies.pdf
Appendix B - ECW Status of Agencies not Included in_Review.pdf
Appendix C - July 27, 2012 Public Records Request.pdfhttp://www.nlg-npap.org/news/npap-member-attorneys-gerhardstein-branch-release-survey-about-taser-risks