Will Detroit Police Carry Tasers Again?

by | Feb 9, 2017 | Civil Rights | 0 comments

Adding a New Tool To the Detroit Police Department

These last few years have seen a great dispute over many police departments’ stance on using force against the citizens they are tasked with protecting. Many notable cases in which police may have gone far past what was required and the resulting consequence has been that of a dead citizen have spurned the debate over what a police officer should do when faced with a threat. Though better training regarding de-escalation as well as proper use of firearms has been thoroughly touted as the beginning of the end for police violence against unarmed citizens, Detroit PD is looking for an additional alternative to help stem the flow of violence.

A New Less Lethal Tool in the Detroit PD’s Arsenal

The department is turning its focus towards providing officers with less-lethal means of subduing suspects and protecting themselves in the face of danger, by equipping officers with tasers. Tasers function by shooting two prongs attached to a set of wires, which when fired pierce a possible assailant’s clothing and skin while delivering a shock of 50,000 volts of electricity, causing loss of fine motor control while effectively incapacitating a person. The tasers are considered a less that lethal weapon, as most people in which they are employed against fully recover from the incident, though there have cases in which the large shock causes an individual to unfortunately pass away, in part due to heart failure. This and the potential for abuse of the taser by officers has many concerned as to whether the Detroit PD should spend the money on the somewhat controversial tool or use the funds in a way that will help reduce police violence while not giving another weapon to use against citizens.

Tasers Work Well in Other States

States that have already employed the use of tasers within their police force have noticed a significant drop in the number of fatalities caused by officer’s use of force. The city of Seattle witnessed its first year without an officer involved shooting the very year their taser program was rolled out. Other cities known for their disproportionate numbers of police violence and use of deadly force have seen similar benefits, such as the 50% drop in use of deadly force recorded by the Phoenix PD in Arizona.

The Detroit Police Department is delaying its final decision on the matter until it is able to hear from the citizens of Detroit with a scheduled forum taking place in the near future. If you believe you have experienced a case of violence or police brutality, contact the Michigan lawyers at Christopher Trainor & Associates today.

Detroit, MI – Car Crash Causes Injuries on I-696 at M-10

Detroit, MI (September 21, 2023) - According to an initial accident alert issued by the Detroit Police Department, a multiple-vehicle collision that occurred on Thursday, September 21, necessitated the involvement of local officers and EMTs. Additionally, the Michigan...

Detroit, MI – Two-Vehicle Collision w/Injuries at Garfield & 14 Mile

Detroit, MI (September 21, 2023) - At least one individual was injured on the afternoon of Thursday, September 21, due to an accident involving two or three vehicles that occurred on Garfield Road in Detroit. The collision occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon on...

Detroit, MI – Injury-Causing Accident on 14 Mile Rd at Groesbeck Hwy

Detroit, MI (September 21, 2023) - On Thursday evening, September 21, police were called to an accident involving two to three vehicles in the greater Detroit area. On Thursday at around 11:30 p.m. in the evening, there was an accident near the corner of 14 Mile Road...

Lansing, MI – Two Hospitalized in Pedestrian Wreck on Jolly Rd

Lansing, MI (September 21, 2023) - Two persons were hit by a vehicle Thursday night and sustained minor injuries, per officers from the Lansing Police Department. The accident occurred in the 2500 block of East Jolly Road. Lansing Police reported that both victims...

Detroit, MI – I-94 Site of Injury Car Accident at Concord Rd

Detroit, MI (September 21, 2023) - On Thursday, September 21, two or three drivers crashed on eastbound Interstate 94 in the city of Detroit, resulting in at least one injury. At around 6:00 a.m., an accident occurred in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 94 near the...

Grand Rapids, MI – Worker Killed in Jobsite Accident at Briggs Field

Grand Rapids, MI (September 21, 2023) - On Wednesday, September 19, a worker for Grand Rapids Public Schools was killed in a job site accident. At noon, while working at Briggs Field Athletic Facility, an employee was injured while riding a lawnmower.  The exact...

Detroit, MI – Injuries Recorded in Vehicle Wreck on M-39 at Joy Rd

Detroit, MI (September 21, 2023) - On Thursday morning, September 21, officers with the Detroit Police Department received a collision alert and a report of injuries at the scene of a multiple-vehicle accident on Highway 39. Right around 8:45 a.m. on the northbound...

Portage, MI – Teen Hit, Injured in Pedestrian Wreck on Kilgore Rd

Portage, MI (September 21, 2023) - Nick Armold, the chief of the Portage Department of Public Safety, stated that on Thursday morning, one of three 15-year-old girls heading to Loy Norrix High School was hit by a car. Armold said that the girls had been walking on the...

Detroit, MI – Car Accident, Injuries on I-696 at Orchard Lake

Detroit, MI (September 20, 2023) - On September 20, officers with the Detroit Police Department received a collision alert and a report of injuries at the scene of a multiple-vehicle accident on Interstate 696. Right around 9:00 a.m. on the eastbound side of the...

Kalamazoo, MI – Pedestrian Hospitalized in Crash on King Hwy at Mills

Kalamazoo, MI (September 20, 2023) - On Wednesday, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Kalamazoo, according to the department. Traffic was blocked due to the accident on King Highway near Mills Street, and it was requested that motorists find an alternative route....