The 93-page report concludes that officers are not using the stun gun as an alternative to drawing a firearm but instead are using it primarily to shock unarmed people involved in petty crimes, sometimes with deadly results. Original Article Amnesty International urges ban on Taser use Robert Anglen The Arizona Republic Nov. 30, 2004 12:00 AM Taser electric stun guns are being used by police officers to routinely shock people who are mentally disturbed or who simply refuse to obey commands, according to an Amnesty International report released today. The 93-page report concludes that officers are not using the stun gun as an alternative to drawing a firearm but instead are using it primarily to shock unarmed people involved in petty crimes, sometimes with deadly results. It calls for a nationwide ban on Tasers until medical, scientific and law enforcement experts conduct "a rigorous, independent and impartial inquiry into their use and effects." At the least, the human rights organization says police agencies should limit Taser use to situations where officers would likely use a firearm. More than 5,000 police departments use the Taser. In Phoenix, the first major metropolitan force to deploy Tasers to all its patrol officers, it's unlikely that Amnesty's report will influence Taser policy. "There may have been problems in other cities in the country. Our experience with it has been very successful," Sgt. Randy Force, police spokesman, said Monday. "We have a sound policy." Similarly, Chandler police officials said Monday that Amnesty's report will be reviewed but that it was not expected result in any changes. A portion of Amnesty's report addresses Taser use in that city. "We've saved lives," said Sgt. Mark Franzen, a department spokesman. "We have reduced the amount of injuries to officers and suspects." Officials review every case involving Taser to ensure that an officer did not violate policy, he said. Taser officials say use of the stun gun has led to fewer police shootings and has saved thousands of lives. A Taser resembles a plastic gun and fires two barbs up to 21 feet to deliver a five-second burst of electricity. Amnesty is "out of step" with the needs of law enforcement, the company says. "We are dismayed that Amnesty International refuses to accept independent and comprehensive reports concerning the safety and effectiveness of the Taser system," Taser spokesman Steve Tuttle said in an e-mail Monday. "Their report fails to mention the independent scientific and medical experts that have experience with current Taser technology research and its use and who are without emotional biases or other agendas." In Phoenix, the officer-involved shooting rate in 2002 was 2 1/2 times the rate in Los Angeles. Phoenix police shot 28 people; 13 died. After Tasers were deployed to all patrol officers in 2003, police shootings dropped by 54 percent, to 13, the lowest number since 1990. Nine were fatal. Amnesty says Tasers have caused a spike in the number of times police use force. It says the number of lives saved by the device is overshadowed by its potential to kill and the lack of independent medical studies of the stun gun. "The rush to get the newest technology on the streets is outpacing the ability of public officials to put in place the safeguards necessary to protect the public," Amnesty Executive Director William Schulz said in a statement Monday. Amnesty's report follows a series of articles by The Arizona Republic and the New York Times raising questions about the gun's safety record. The Republic has identified 77 deaths after a police Taser strike since 1999. Of those, medical examiners have linked the stun gun to nine deaths despite the manufacturer's long-standing claim that Tasers never caused a death or serious injury. Amnesty said a medical expert hired to review autopsy reports found Taser was likely a factor in four additional deaths, for a total of 13. Police say Tasers end violent confrontations before they begin. Force said Tasers are safer for suspects and officers than other types of force, including batons, chemical spray or even fists, "We have solid training, solid policy and solid experience with them," Force said. "I would call it a more humane use of force. It is pre-emptive in nature, not punitive." Amnesty officials acknowledge that Tasers are safer than guns. They know that law enforcement officers will need to use force but said abuse of the stun guns can't be overlooked. "We're not willing to bet our conditional approval of Tasers on people's lives," Amnesty's Ed Jackson said. Reach the reporter at robert.anglen@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8694.