VIDEO: San Francisco Police to Use Tasers Beginning in 2018

By Tactical-Life

San Francisco police officers have finally been given the O.K. to use Tasers during patrols, putting an end to a 13-year debate over the devices.

According to SFGate, the San Francisco Police Commission voted 4-3 in favor of Tasers at the end of a tense seven-hour meeting that was interrupted by protesters and led to a lockdown of City Hall, with activists outside the chamber chanting, “Shame! Shame!” as the measure passed.

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While there was strong opposition from the community, department officials—like Chief Bill Scott, who assumed command in January and previously served with the LAPD where Tasers are allowed—said officers need to be equipped with less-lethal options when they’re in the field.

“De-escalation has been a topic that the San Francisco Police Department has taken very seriously,” Scott said on Friday as he lobbied for Tasers. “The reality is there are times when de-escalation does not work and officers have to use force as safely as possible. We have a duty to reduce injuries to residents and officers when these type of incidents occur.”

Commissioner Thomas Mazzucco agreed, citing a DOJ Office of Community Oriented Policing Services …Read the Rest

Source:: Tactical Life