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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Eugene Police Department Taser Policy Meeting Date: December 16, 2009 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Police Staff Contact: Chief of Police Pete Kerns www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5102 ISSUE STATEMENT This is a work session to update the City Council on the Police Commission Use of Force Committee’s review of the Taser policy. BACKGROUND The Eugene Police Department first began exploring the idea of Electronic Control Devices (ECDs), specifically Tasers, in early 2005. Previous Chief of Police Bob Lehner made it clear that considering Tasers as a viable use of force tool would entail thoughtful, deliberate research and ample time to speak with the community. Funding for Taser equipment and training was acquired through grant money, but would only outfit a limited number of officers during a test period. Following initial evaluations of model policies and data studies, the department began developing a draft Taser policy. This coincided with a police shooting of a Eugene man experiencing mental crisis where less lethal tools available at the time were not effective. This prompted Chief Lehner to ask the Police Commission for assistance in researching and reviewing the use of Tasers for possible implementation. A six-member Use of Force Committee was formed with the task of determining whether this community would see the same benefits by adding Tasers to the tools available to Patrol officers as have other communities. In addition, the committee was asked to ensure that the policy would monitor the safety and effectiveness of the device in taking resistive people into custody. The committee held public forums and invited conversations with members of the community to gauge the interest of incorporating Tasers into the department. After exhaustive research and review, the committee developed recommendations on a draft Taser policy and presented those findings to the full Police Commission. The commission accepted the committee’s recommendations and in September 2007, forwarded them to Chief Lehner for his consideration. The final Taser Pilot Project policy was set by Police Chief Lehner, and included all of the commission’s data point recommendations. Chief Lehner further restricted the policy by stating that the number of Taser discharges (where the activation is successful) against a person should not exceed three. This policy was developed for the Taser Pilot Project (January 2008 – March 2009) and is still in use today. Taser Pilot Project Following the training of approximately half of the Patrol Division’s officers and sergeants, 40 Tasers were issued and the Taser Pilot Project began in January 2008. Equipment and training were funded via Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M091216\S091216B.doc