JAMESTOWN – While the investigation continues into the death of Charles Baker Jr. – we are beginning to get a better idea of the use of TASERs in the Jamestown Police Department, although some information is still unknown.
According to statistics provided to WRFA by Jamestown Police Captain Robert Samuelson, since January 2009, the JPD has used a Controlled Electronic Device (CED) – or TASER – just 77 times during a total of 13,973 arrests. That equates to a TASER-use rate of once in every 181 arrests. However, on an annual basis, the JPD’s TASER-use rate has declined each year since 2009 and in 2012, the JPD’s TASER-use rate was about once in every 400 arrests.
While we were able to get the JPD’s TASER-use rates for the past few years, the JPD would not provide WRFA with the TASER-use policy it has in place for its officers. We were told this was due to the current ongoing investigation, per the city attorney’s office.
However, state courts have ruled in the past that a police department’s TASER policy should be made available upon request, so long as certain tactical information, which could compromise the safety of officers or the public, is redacted.
City attorney Marilyn Lehman has yet to return a call WRFA put out Wednesday morning, seeking further explanation for withholding the policy from the public.
Controlled Electronic Devices, such as TASERS, produce 50,000 volts of electricity. The electricity stuns and temporarily disables people by causing involuntary muscle contractions. This makes people easier to arrest or subdue.
Amnesty International reported that at least 530 people have died since 2001 after being shocked by TASERS, either during arrest or while in jail. However, in the vast majority of those instances, an autopsy reported listed the cause of death as another factor other than being exposed to a CED.
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