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Although Tasers have been an effective tool for Houston police, officers have used the stuns guns most often on black suspects and the stun guns have not lead to a reduction in shootings of civilians, according to an audit released today.
The audit, overseen by Controller Annise Parker, examined some 1,400 incidents in which Houston police officers used Tasers during a two and a half year period.
"I want this audit to lead to discussions with the minority community and within the Houston Police Department about how and when Tasers should be used," Parker said. "We believe the Taser has been an effective intermediate weapon. ... Our concern is that there may be a disconnect between what the public believes is the way these should be used and how officers are using them."
The audit was initiated last year as public criticism of police Taser use swelled, prompting calls for tighter restrictions on Taser use, if not a moratorium.
Parker's team offered a series of recommendations to better monitor Taser use including the suggestions that HPD study each incident in which an officer shocks a suspect more than four times and that HPD track officers who use their Tasers frequently. The audit found that two HPD officers have used their Tasers more than 13 times — far more than any other officers on the force.
"The department ought to be aware and monitor officers who use their (Tasers) more frequently than other individuals," Parker told the City Council public safety committee this morning.
HPD moved to arm most of its officers with Tasers late in 2004, one year after officers shot and killed two unarmed teens, sparking calls for a reduction in such shootings. Police Chief Harold Hurtt, who successfully reduced officer shootings in his pervious post in Phoenix, endorsed the stun guns as a way to curb the use of deadly force and City Council approved a $4.7 million contract.
In the years since, HPD officers have relied on their Tasers regularly, collectively using them at a rate of once a day. During this time, HPD officials said, officers' on-the-job injuries have dropped, with workers compensation claims falling to all-time lows.
Despite these gains, public controversy has grown. One flashpoint for conflict was a November 2005 encounter between Texans offensive lineman Fred Weary and HPD officers during a traffic stop. An officer shocked Weary, who was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, only to have a judge later dismiss the charge as baseless.
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The audit, overseen by Controller Annise Parker, examined some 1,400 incidents in which Houston police officers used Tasers during a two and a half year period.
"I want this audit to lead to discussions with the minority community and within the Houston Police Department about how and when Tasers should be used," Parker said. "We believe the Taser has been an effective intermediate weapon. ... Our concern is that there may be a disconnect between what the public believes is the way these should be used and how officers are using them."
The audit was initiated last year as public criticism of police Taser use swelled, prompting calls for tighter restrictions on Taser use, if not a moratorium.
Parker's team offered a series of recommendations to better monitor Taser use including the suggestions that HPD study each incident in which an officer shocks a suspect more than four times and that HPD track officers who use their Tasers frequently. The audit found that two HPD officers have used their Tasers more than 13 times — far more than any other officers on the force.
"The department ought to be aware and monitor officers who use their (Tasers) more frequently than other individuals," Parker told the City Council public safety committee this morning.
HPD moved to arm most of its officers with Tasers late in 2004, one year after officers shot and killed two unarmed teens, sparking calls for a reduction in such shootings. Police Chief Harold Hurtt, who successfully reduced officer shootings in his pervious post in Phoenix, endorsed the stun guns as a way to curb the use of deadly force and City Council approved a $4.7 million contract.
In the years since, HPD officers have relied on their Tasers regularly, collectively using them at a rate of once a day. During this time, HPD officials said, officers' on-the-job injuries have dropped, with workers compensation claims falling to all-time lows.
Despite these gains, public controversy has grown. One flashpoint for conflict was a November 2005 encounter between Texans offensive lineman Fred Weary and HPD officers during a traffic stop. An officer shocked Weary, who was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, only to have a judge later dismiss the charge as baseless.
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