APD'S USE OF TASERS IS AMONG VIOLATIONS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FOUND IN ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE DEPARTMENT. THE DOJ SAYS OFFICERS TOO OFTEN USE TASERS IN THE WRONG SITUATIONS. IT ALSO FOUND THAT A THIRD OF APD TASING INCIDENTS WERE UNREASONABLE, INVOLVING PEOPLE WHO DID NOT POSE A SERIOUS THREAT OR WHO WERE MENTALLY INCAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING POLICE COMMANDS.
ONE EXAMPLE OF THE LATTER INVOLVED A MAN THE DOJ SAID HAD THE MENTAL CAPACITY OF A FIVE YEAR OLD. THE REPORT SAYS APD … AT BEST … CAN ONLY CALL ITS USE OF TASERS "INTERMEDIATE FORCE" AS OPPOSED TO "LESS LETHAL FORCE."
