* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Harris
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - Baltimore City Police Department - Use of Tasers or Other Electronic Control Weapons - Risk Management
FOR the purpose of requesting the Commissioner of Police to share with the City Council and the citizens of Baltimore the Department's policy for the use of Tasers or other electronic control weapons, the protocol for use of this "less than lethal" force weapon, the immediate health implications and risk of latent medical complications to persons subjected to electronic control weapons, and any plans for changes in current policy as they pertain to the use of electronic control weapons in law enforcement deployment in the neighborhoods of Baltimore City.
Body
Recitals
The recent death of a Baltimore women in custody this past Tuesday after being struck in the chest with a stun gun, or Taser, as she allegedly attacked a city officer "without provocation" during a narcotics investigation, was the second in the Baltimore area in the last 2 months - in March, a mentally ill Baltimore County man died after officers shocked him after he attacked them, armed with a baseball bat.
These incidents bring new attention to the simmering debate on the effectiveness and safety of the use of electronic control weapons in incidents where law enforcement officers deem it appropriate to use "less than lethal" forc...
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