Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan told the Berkeley City Council on Tuesday night he believes his officers should be granted the option to carry Tasers, which are not currently allowed under city policy. It was the first time Meehan has taken a stand on the issue in a high-profile public forum, though he said he had made similar comments in the past in […]
Tasers
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley council to hear Taser report Tuesday
The Berkeley City Council is set to discuss a report Tuesday evening focused on the use of Tasers by law enforcement officers, and whether that might one day be appropriate in Berkeley. Council asked the city manager to look into the issue last year, which resulted in a pro bono agreement with the Stanford Criminal Justice […]
Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety
City of Berkeley solicits Taser study; anti-Taser group to hold forum Thursday night
As the city of Berkeley ramps up efforts to study whether its police force should carry Tasers, a local coalition has planned a forum Thursday night to collect community feedback on the issue. The Berkeley City Council voted 6-3 in May to have the city study the thorny question. Council members Max Anderson, Kriss Worthington and Jesse Arreguín […]
Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety
Taser used in arrest of driver in stolen car in Berkeley
A man authorities say led officers on a chase from the Bay Bridge into Berkeley was arrested after the deployment of a Taser this week. Oakland-area California Highway Patrol spokesman Sean Wilkenfeld said via email that the chase, which hit speeds of 100 mph, began early Wednesday at approximately 12:30 a.m. Officers spotted a stolen 2001 […]
Posted inCity, Crime, Crime & Safety
Officials agree to study Tasers for Berkeley police
A Berkeley City Council majority voted Tuesday night to look closely at whether local police should one day be trained and equipped to use Tasers. About a dozen people asked city officials not to allow police to have the weapon, while approximately the same number — most of whom were Berkeley Police officers — said they were […]
Posted inCrime & Safety, Opinion
Op-ed: Tasers, torture and the soul of the city
Before I discuss the facts and reasons that lead me to oppose arming Berkeley Police with Tasers, I invite readers to remember a bit of Berkeley history. This city was once nationally known for its unapologetic defense of the rights of the poor and oppressed. It cared about police abuse, racism and the treatment of […]
Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety
Taser report: Tool could save Berkeley millions, decrease use of force, but oversight and training would be key
Berkeley officials plan to consider in early May whether to take their first deep look at whether the city’s police officers should be allowed to carry Tasers. But it won’t exactly be the first time the issue has been studied by the city. A lengthy report — obtained via a Public Records Act request from Berkeleyside to the Berkeley […]
Posted inCity, Crime, Crime & Safety
Councilmen: Time is now to discuss Tasers in Berkeley
Three Berkeley City Council members are bringing the issue of Taser use by local police to the forefront with a proposed council agenda item currently set for consideration in early May. Councilman Laurie Capitelli has drafted an item to request a report from the city manager about the possible use of Tasers by police in […]
Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety
Police call for Tasers after attempted killing of officer
The president of the Berkeley Police Association is asking city officials to consider the use of Tasers by Berkeley officers after a violent attack on an officer Monday. The police association, the union for the rank and file, has been asking publicly for Tasers since at least last year. According to association president Sgt. Chris Stines, […]
Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety
City leaders weigh in on idea of Tasers in Berkeley
The Berkeley Police Association, the union for the rank and file, has been making the case for officers to have Tasers. Photo: Creative Commons Last week the Berkeley Police Assocation put out a public demand for Tasers for local officers, and Berkeleyside followed up with several questions to city leaders about the issue. Several leaders […]
Posted inCrime, Crime & Safety
2 women charged after Berkeley stun gun robberies
Police arrested two women after a pair of robberies, one of which involved a stun gun, and a robbery attempt also involving a stun gun earlier this month in Berkeley. On Sept. 15, police said in court documents that the two women, along with a third accomplice, zapped a woman in the neck with a […]
Posted inCrime & Safety
After suicide attempt, police union says Tasers needed
The Berkeley Police Association says Tasers could have helped prevent the near-death of a man who stabbed himself repeatedly last week in Berkeley, according to a statement released Wednesday morning by the organization’s president. Last week, Berkeley officers responded to a home where a man was threatening to slit his throat with a knife. When […]