On November 19, 2012, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) issued a letter to San Francisco Police Department Chief Suhr and Members of the San Francisco Police Commission, expressing opposition to the possible introduction of Electronic Control Weapons (“TASERs”) to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) officers trained in Crisis Intervention.
CCR noted its concern because TASERs remain a lethal weapon, and there is growing international consensus that the use of TASERs can constitute a human rights violation. As an alternative to the introduction of TASERs, CCR suggested increasing the number of SFPD officers trained in Crisis Intervention, and requested the rejection of the use of TASERs by the SFPD.
Learn more about CCR's work on TASERs, including a 2007 lawsuit against the City of Pittsburgh and various City Police officers alleging that the Pittsburgh police unconstitutionally used TASERS against peaceful demonstrators at an anti-war demonstration in Pittsburgh.
