03-16-05 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lt. Schweizer noted that there are various other techniques which police officers use such as press points. There are also stun guns with probes. The various deployment modes include a spark demonstration, laser, and drive stun. Tasers can be shot up to 21'. In response to a question from Council Member White,Lt. Schweizer stated that there is no limit to the number of times a taser may be shot. The guideline is to use it until the aggressive behavior stops. Police Chief Fautz noted that the International Association of Police Chiefs is currently conducting there own safety studies using two (2) independent bodies. He noted that all of the South Bend Police Officers who carry tasers have been tasered. Division Chief Gary Horvath noted that since the police department starting using tasers, they have seen the following results: 66%decrease in injuries to police officers in the 1st six(6)months 50%decrease in injuries to police officers in the 2nd six(6)months In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Lt. Schweizer stated that suspects know that tasers will be deployed and that it has become a very effective law enforcement tool. Chief Fautz added that proper training has also been key to the success experienced by the department. Council Member Kirsits noted that he would be concerned about skull fractures and facial injuries which may result from a full fall down when a taser is deployed. Lt. Schweizer stated that based on their experience the biggest concern is secondary injuries. Chief Fautz added that they have had no skull fractures and he believes that taser usage has been appropriate and reasonable. Division Chief Horvath stated that no one has gone unconscious when a taser was deployed. There were then a series of scenarios where persons present were given a fact pattern and carried out various traffic stops. In each case police officers acted as the individuals being stopped. Following each one,the police officers pointed out what were proper procedures for the stop. FATS Exercises were then carried out with persons present responding to each crime situation. Following each one,the police officers highlighted what were the proper procedures. The demonstration ending with Council Members Kirsits and Varner being each tasered by a South Bend Police Officer. All of the members of the South Bend Police Department were thanked for all of the information which they shared and especially the hands-on demonstrations. The meeting concluded at 6:30 p.m. Resp dully submitted, Council Member Karen L. ite,Chairperson Health and Public Safety Committee KCF:kmf Attachments March 16,2005 Health and Public Safety Committee of the 2005 South Bend Common Council -page 2-