“Tasers are safer than bullets and can be a very effective law enforcement tool, but they are still dangerous weapons and should be treated as such,’’ said Jennifer Rudinger, executive director of ACLU of North Carolina’s office in Raleigh.
“The Taser Safety Project, of which the ACLU-NC is a member, has encouraged law enforcement agencies throughout North Carolina to implement safety procedures that restrict the use of Tasers against children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable populations,’’ she said. “We have also cautioned against using Tasers in the presence of flammable materials or against people who are already handcuffed because serious, even life-threatening, consequences can result.”
The Durham Police Department’s policy on use of Tasers calls for avoiding firing at a person’s head, neck or genitalia.
It also says the weapons should not be used on the following groups ‘‘unless exigent circumstances exist:’’
-- Those who appear to be 65 or older.
-- Pregnant women.
-- Visibly frail persons.
-- Motorists.
The policy says Tasers won’t be used:
-- On those “being actively sprayed with aerosol weapons.’’
-- “In the proximity of known flammable liquids, gases, or any other highly combustible materials that may be ignited by the device, including any individual that may have been exposed to highly combustible materials and/or liquids such as gasoline.’’
