Some Police Change Taser Policy After New Warning

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  The controversy over the stun gun which delivers 50,000 volts continues.

This time, the question is where officers should aim.

Taser International, the company that makes the device, has revised its warnings. While the desired target was the chest area previously, the company now says officers should fire Tasers anywhere but the chest, neck and head.

Taser advises officers to avoid chest shots "when possible," but also says when firing at the chest, there is an "extremely low" risk of an ill effect on the heart.

Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford said in 2005 he is convinced the Taser is safe.

With the new warning, the JSO sent out a memo to its officers saying it is "not" amending its policy, and that officers should use the Taser as they have been trained. However, the JSO is reviewing the information.

But St. Johns County has changed its policy to focus on the new recommended areas, and Nassau County is reviewing its policy. Baker County has changed its Taser policy to target below the chest, while Putnam County is reviewing whether or not to change its standards.

 

 

Taser International said the change has "less to do with safety and more to do with effective risk management for law enforcement agencies."

JSO has dealt with at least two deaths of men who were tasered. JSO said neither was attributed to the device.

 

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