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AI's Global Position on Taser Stun Guns
With the release of our December 2008 report “USA: Less than lethal” we updated our global position on Conducted Energy Devices (CEDs) to the following:
1. If Governments or Police Forces want to use Tasers® or CEDs they should limit their use to those situations where officers are faced with an imminent threat of death or serious injury which cannot be contained by less extreme options in order to avoid resorting to police firearms.
2. In such situations they should only be used by officers who have undergone a high level of rigorous training and who are subject to strict systems of monitoring and accountability.
1. If Governments or Police Forces want to use Tasers® or CEDs they should limit their use to those situations where officers are faced with an imminent threat of death or serious injury which cannot be contained by less extreme options in order to avoid resorting to police firearms.
2. In such situations they should only be used by officers who have undergone a high level of rigorous training and who are subject to strict systems of monitoring and accountability.
3. These standards are consistent with those set out in UN human rights standards on police use of force and firearms.
4. If not prepared to ilimituse as above CED use should be suspended pending further independent studies into effects of such weapons and rules for their possible use.
We acknowledge the importance of developing non-lethal or “less-lethal” force options to decrease the risk of death or injury inherent in police use of firearms or other impact weapons, such as batons. However, we have serious concerns about the use of electro-shock devices in law enforcement, both as regards their safety and potential for misuse.
We acknowledge the importance of developing non-lethal or “less-lethal” force options to decrease the risk of death or injury inherent in police use of firearms or other impact weapons, such as batons. However, we have serious concerns about the use of electro-shock devices in law enforcement, both as regards their safety and potential for misuse.