Item B: Eugene Police Department Taser Policy

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Eugene Police Department Taser Policy Meeting Date: June 14, 2010 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Eugene Police Department/Police Commission Staff Contact: Randi Zimmer www.eugene-or.gov/policecommission Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5852 ISSUE STATEMENT This is an opportunity for the Police Commission to present recommendations it has made to the Chief of Police for a revised Taser policy, and answer questions the City Council has about the recommendations. BACKGROUND The Eugene Police Department (EPD) first began exploring the idea of Electronic Control Devices (ECD), specifically Tasers, in early 2005. Police Chief Robert Lehner asked 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 to determine whether this community would see the same benefits of 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. The committee’s findings were forwarded in September 2007, to the Chief of Police and the final policy was adopted in December 2007. The Taser Pilot Project policy that was approved by Police Chief Lehner included all of the commission’s data point recommendations and 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 which ran from January 2008, through March 2009. 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 a no-match federal grant. In May 2009, the Police Department presented the Police Commission with a detailed analysis of the Taser Pilot Project. This report was a compilation of data and conclusions following 15 months of the pilot project. One significant result from the pilot project was that more than three-quarters of the potentially violent encounters that could have resulted in injuries to officers or suspects ended safely by a display or warning that a Taser would be used. In addition, six incidents where deadly force by the officer could have been authorized were resolved with minimal injury when the Taser was activated. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100614\S100614B.doc