BARRINGTON - State Senator Dan Duffy (R-Barrington) is concerned about how often Taser guns are used by law enforcement and is considering legislation that would establish guidelines on their use.
"We need to look at stricter guidelines and training regarding the use and power of these weapons... Maybe we could require that anytime a law enforcement officer uses a Taser, the circumstances of its use and racial profile of the person Tasered will be recorded and reported to an entity for analysis and comparison," Duffy said. "(We should) be specific in the amount of force that is being used and the reasons."
Duffy became concerned about the issue after a 38 year old friend he met on a listening tour in a number of Chicago black community barbershops died after police used a Taser gun. Philip Coleman had been arrested during a domestic dispute, and while in custody he grew agitated and was Tasered twice. He died shortly thereafter.
The Daily Herald reported that in all, 667 of the 710 individuals Tasered by police were black. According to the Review Authority, Philip Coleman was the only Taser-related fatality last year in Chicago.
With questions surrounding Philip Coleman's death, Duffy is calling for "better judgment and discretion before you're out playing with a Taser."
"Even though it's not a gun, it's just as powerful," he said.
More HERE
