Posted on: Friday, September 17, 2004

ACLU seeks stricter policy on use of electric stun guns

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i wants Honolulu and Maui police to limit their use of Taser stun guns and said there has been an an incident in which an officer has been "careless" with the non-lethal, electric-shock weapon.

In a letter this week to Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa and Maui Police Chief Thomas Phillips, ACLU legal director Lois Perrin said the Tasers should be used only when lethal force would be justified. These are incidents in which a suspect "poses a threat to human life or safety in situations otherwise requiring deadly force," Perrin said.

Perrin said the ACLU supports the "exploration" of non-lethal weapons as an alternative to firearms, but said police departments need to develop a stricter policy on when officers can use Tasers. She said HPD's policy allows officers to use Tasers in response to "passive resistance" and non-violent situations.

In a one-sentence statement, Honolulu police said, "We respect the ACLU comments and are looking into the concerns contained in the letter." Phillips could not be reached for comment yesterday.

HPD began using Tasers in May as part of a six-month federally financed pilot program. Some night-operations patrol officers in Central Honolulu, as well as officers in the cellblock at the main station were trained and equipped with the guns.

Maui police in July purchased two dozen stun guns for its pilot project.

Tasers are fired like pistols and deliver up to a 50,000-volt shock, which almost instantly incapacitates a person.

But since May, Perrin said, HPD officers have misused Tasers. She cited four incidents, including a May 22 fight at Aloha Tower Marketplace where an officer fired into a crowd and hit the wrong person.

"While it's true that Tasers are less fatal than firearms, the public should know that Taser guns are being used in situations where police use of lethal force could never be justified," Perrin said.

Perrin also cited a New York Times article that said at least 50 people have died after being shocked by the guns. The gun's manufacturer has disputed the claim and said the stun guns are safe and non-lethal.

In addition to limiting Taser use, the ACLU is asking that the police require more detailed reporting of each use, and require mandatory medical treatment for anyone shot with a Taser.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.