PITTSBURGH -- A group studying the use of Tasers by law enforcement in Allegheny County has presented its recommendations.
The Allegheny County "Use of Force" working group had its final meeting on Thursday morning and said that police can safely use Tasers, but warns there are risks and there must be safeguards.
The group was formed following the death of Andre Thomas in August of 2008.
On Aug. 5, police responding to calls about a man yelling and screaming and trying to enter local homes said they found Thomas acting erratically on Hawthorne Avenue. Swissvale police stunned Thomas with a Taser. Thomas later died.
The Allegheny County medical examiner ruled that the Taser did not cause Thomas' death. Rather, the combination of cocaine and high blood pressure medicine triggered a heart attack.
In another case, Jason Schmidt was hospitalized after Pittsburgh police used a Taser on him four times, and Shawn Hicks settled a lawsuit for $100,000 after North Braddock police officers used a Taser on him in his home.
The group, made up of top representatives from law enforcement and medicine, has been studying the use of the weapon in the wake of the high-profile incidents involving Tasers.
The group found that when properly used, the risk of death and injury from Tasers is less than with alternative weapons, such as batons or firearms.
The task force also said that Tasers are safe and useful, but only when used under proper police policies, training, supervision and with public accountability. The taskforce said without those safeguards, like other weapons and tactics, they can do unnecessary damage and compromise the safety of police and the public.
"It has to be regulated and thought about the same way as all those other uses of force. It's not magic, it's not harmless, it has risks. But it is an acceptable tool, as long it is used with proper policy, training, supervision and accountability," said task force member David Harris.
There were some critics of the use of Tasers who showed up for the meeting with signs criticizing the work of the panel. Critics told Channel 4 Action News the task force should have done more to hear from the public and from families who've been affected or lost loved ones in incidents involving Tasers.
The District Attorney's office will send the use of force report to police chiefs across Allegheny County.
To see the final report, visit
http://www.da.allegheny.pa.us/.
Previous Stories: - June 30, 2009: Student Who Stunned Officer With Own Taser Headed To Jail
- June 14, 2009: SWAT Standoff Ends With Man Tasered, Taken Into Custody
- March 23, 2009: Taser Committee Holds Meeting Discussing Importance Of Weapon
- November 26, 2008: Washington Police Use Taser On Naked Murder Suspect
- September 24, 2008: Tasered Monroeville Man Had Cocaine-Fueled Heart Attack
- September 17, 2008: Allegheny County Forms Taser Task Force
- September 4, 2008: Police Use Taser On Man Accused Of Ramming Cruiser
- September 2, 2008: Monroeville Man's Death Still Unclear; Group Wants Review Of Police Taser Policy
- August 25, 2008: Man Tasered 4 Times In Pittsburgh, Hospitalized
- August 22, 2008: North Braddock Man Settles For $100,000 After Police Taser At Home
- August 20, 2008: Police Tasering May Have Been Second For Monroeville Man
- August 18, 2008: New Exam Of Monroeville Man's Body Shows Bruises, Cuts
- August 8, 2008: Docs Question 'Delirium;' Wecht Hired In Tasered Man's Death
- August 7, 2008: Tasered Monroeville Man Showed 'Excited Delirium' Before Death
- August 7, 2008: Protesters March To Swissvale To Honor Taser Victim’s Death
- August 6, 2008: FBI Looking Into Monroeville Man's Police Tasering, Death
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