Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Oct 12, 2009 5:53 pm US/Central
Tarrant County Sheriff Declines To Adopt Tasers
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 NEWS/AP) ―
-
-
A hand holds a Taser X26c stun gun. Nov. 20, 2004.
AP
The sheriff of Tarrant County is bucking the trend of issuing Tasers to his deputies even as Texas' largest metropolitan law enforcement agencies continue to adopt the use of the weapon.
Sheriff Dee Anderson says he was concerned that an officer might cause someone's death with a Taser.
"It was just a decision after the research that I did that I really didn't feel comfortable with the device itself," said Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson.
Anderson says he conducted his own research in which Tasers were used. He said in cases where people have health issues or who have used alcohol or drugs, the electric shock could be deadly.
The sheriff said the risk of killing someone outweighed the benefits to him.
Deputies will continue to use pepper spray and expandable batons as "non-lethal" weapons.
But the sheriff pointed out that he has nothing against any other law enforcement agency using Tasers. "I completely respect others who decide to use them. I'm not a crusader against Tasers. I'm not out telling people not to use them. Everyone has to make the decision right for them," he said.
The Fort Worth Police Department is one of the many local law enforcement agencies that use Tasers.
The department is currently in the middle of a lawsuit with Michael Jacobs' family. Jacobs died six months ago after an officer tased him twice outside of his home during a disturbance call.
The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide.
FWPD stood by its decision to use Tasers. A spokesman confirmed that there is a pending lawsuit between the department the Jacobs family.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
CBS Mobile Launches Local News iPhone Apps
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments