Kunkle tightens Taser rules

Dallas: Tarrant deaths, public perceptions may be factors in decision

10:21 AM CDT on Thursday, September 15, 2005
By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News


Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle has tightened guidelines on the use of Tasers amid growing concerns that the weapons may be directly responsible for deaths.

Four people have died in Tarrant County after being shocked by police with what is described as a nonlethal device.

Dallas has had no Taser-related deaths since the department began using the weapons last year. But the Dallas County medical examiner's office has made it clear that a death involving a Taser could be ruled a homicide if the facts warrant it.

Such a ruling would not necessarily mean that a crime occurred or that police meant to kill anyone. But police commanders are afraid that impression with the public could lead to a strong reaction, not unlike the criticism and picketing that followed the 2003 death of Allen Simpson by a now-banned neck hold. On Wednesday, the City Council approved paying Mr. Simpson's survivors an $800,000 wrongful-death settlement.

"There's not a day that goes by that there is not a Taser controversy somewhere in the country," said Chief Kunkle, who introduced Tasers to the department after banning the neck hold that killed Mr. Simpson.

Chief Kunkle described the Taser as a "very valuable tool" that may have kept police from having to use deadly force in 20 incidents, but he wants to make sure Tasers will be used in situations in which officers are facing an immediate threat.

Under Dallas' new policy, officers can use Tasers only to subdue someone who tries to assault them or someone else by grabbing, kicking, punching, wrestling or throwing something. Previously, police could shock someone who was resisting arrest but was not physically threatening an officer.

A factor prompting Dallas to tighten its Taser policy was the Dallas County medical examiner's decision to rule the death of Robert Earl Williams, 62, of Waco a homicide.

In June, Waco police used a Taser on Mr. Williams four times during a confrontation at his sister's house. After the device had no apparent effect, it took five officers to handcuff the 6-foot, 350-pound man, who threatened officers with a steel bar. Mr. Williams complained that he had trouble breathing after the struggle. Officers performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on him, but he died.

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it's past time for this.

taser's have become the answer to any situation.

Quoted: Quoted: it's past time for this. taser's have become the answer to any situation. I agree.  Too many LEOs resort to using the Taser too quickly instead of using good communication and interpersonal skills to diffuse situations.

From what I've been told, officers are obligated to follow their use-of-force guidelines which may prevent them from simply grabbing someone, utilizing escort techniques, etc.  Maybe this change in policy will enable them to use more physical force.