The Denver Sheriff Department was slow to adopt federal standards for use of Tasers and stun guns — surprise, surprise — which led to deputies firing Tasers at mentally ill inmates to get them to comply with orders.
Six times this year, deputies shocked inmates who had been experiencing a mental health episode, including instances of self-mutilation and suicidal behavior,
There are also stories of wanton firing of Tasers to get inmates to comply. One was even shot with a Taser for refusing to go to court.
In April the department’s policy was revised to say that “electronic control devices will not be used as a punishment, under any circumstances, or to effect compliance with verbal commands when there is no physical threat.” And former Sheriff Gary Wilson reiterated the policy of restraint in July.
Now some deputies lament they cannot threaten to use their Tasers when inmates don’t quickly obey orders, but that’s not how Tasers should be used.
They are a legitimate and effective tool when there is a threat of harm to someone. But using them in other contexts is akin to deploying a whip.
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