Tasers and the APD

Police leadership says stun guns protect officers and prevent injuries, but critics charge they are dangerous and overused

"...(The department already had 144 of the older-model M26 Tasers, which were redistributed among officers in specialized units –..."

March 18, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Tasers Helped Reduce Use of Force, APD Report Says

But critics still worry about physical effects

"...force used against minorities and are still questioning whether Tasers are a less-than-lethal alternative to deadly force...."

July 29, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Clark Autopsy Released – APD and Tasers Exonerated?

Questions – and lawsuits – still linger over Taser use

"...Peacock's report rules out both the heat and the Tasers as "direct" contributors to Clark's death, the autopsy has..."

Nov. 4, 2005 News Feature by Michael King

New Austin 'Spokes' Speak Out Against Tasers

Austin activists coordinate efforts on police tactics, war, and other issues

"...Austin Police Department headquarters to protest police use of "Tasers" – a brand name for dart-firing electro-shock weapons designed..."

Feb. 18, 2005 News Feature by Diana Welch

City Council: Tasers "R" Us!

Council returns with a bursting agenda

"...Nor will that protect you against tasers (Item 37, on consent): According to the backup on..."

Nov. 22, 2013 News Feature by Michael King

Against Tasers

"...starting a group of people against the use of Tasers, or joining a group of such. My husband was..."

March 23, 2005 Postmarks

Death Puts Tasers in Spotlight Again

Officers quickly returned to duty, ME's report still out

Oct. 7, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Doesn't Like Tasers

May 5, 2005 Postmarks

Point Austin: Tased and Confused

When the APD falls in love with Tasers, it's the Eastside that gets shocked

"...of toxicology reports, perhaps weeks away. (See "Death Puts Tasers in Spotlight.")..."

Oct. 7, 2005 News Column by Michael King

What Killed Michael Clark?

The official Travis Co. autopsy doesn't tell the whole story

"...any police-related death. The two officers who fired their Tasers at Clark – officers Douglas Drake and Blaine Eiben..."

Dec. 2, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Sixth Street Blues

Downtown stakeholders raise questions about policing ... the police

"...use is up; therefore, the number of complaints about Tasers will be up."..."

March 18, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Capitol Briefs

"...our law enforcement to ensure that Texans register their Tasers and have the proper training to use these weapons..."

March 9, 2007 News Column

APD's Michael Clark Video

Footage documents events that led to Michael Clark's death

"...make sense, and, most specifically, whether the use of Tasers in such a situation carries unacceptable risks. Finally, the..."

Feb. 24, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

Austin PD among departments studied

"...have purchased and that use the largest number of Tasers for the longest period of time, which includes the..."

July 1, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

A roundup of issues before the city council last week

"...widespread reports of serious injuries or death associated with Tasers (another death was reported in Houston over the weekend)..."

Feb. 25, 2005 News Feature by Michael King

Naked City

"...of the investigations are finalized, the use of these [Tasers] ought to be restricted and put on hold. And..."

Feb. 18, 2005 News Feature by Lee Nichols

All Light, Everywhere

Chilling and insightful look at the birth of our surveillance culture

"...International, the world’s leading manufacturer of body cameras and tasers for law enforcement, with forays into the early development..."

June 18, 2021 Movie Review by Josh Kupecki

Taser International Bleeding Money

Taser gun maker's profits drop 98% in 2005

"...about 8,500 police and other government agencies worldwide include Tasers among their arsenal – so has controversy over the..."

March 10, 2006 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Double Standards?

"...not spent the last several months convincing us that Tasers are not deadly weapons? Double standards are the surest..."

Feb. 17, 2006 Postmarks

Taser TV's Electrified Guinea Pigs

Who needs Tom DeLay when zapping reporters is so much more fun?

"...of Michael Clark, who died after blasts from police Tasers. Cynics might wonder if the idea was a fairly..."

Oct. 7, 2005 News Feature by Kevin Brass

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...on target populations, there's a big piece missing here ["Tasers Helped Reduce Use of Force, APD Report Says," News,..."

Aug. 5, 2005 Column

Naked City

Manufacturer issues warning about electro-shock weapons

"...with Chicago PD officials this week to "suggest" that Tasers not be used on people who "are acting psychotic..."

Aug. 5, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Doesn't Trust APD

"...on target populations, there's a big piece missing here [“Tasers Helped Reduce Use of Force, APD Report Says,” News,..."

Aug. 3, 2005 Postmarks

Point Austin: Beside the Point

What's ahead on the City Council agenda

"...return of the postponed authorization to buy another 90 Tasers for the APD ($75,291). The council was apparently persuaded..."

April 29, 2005 News Column by Michael King

Naked City

New rules clarify when weapon may be used; opponents still dissatisfied

"...said. "Our concern is being able to keep the Tasers and to keep using them, and we should continue..."

April 8, 2005 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Naked City

A roundup of what to expect today at City Hall

"...is consideration of a contract to buy another 90 Tasers for the Austin Police Department – in light of..."

Feb. 18, 2005 News Feature by Michael King

Naked City

Race and APD, and so much more, for City Hall this week

"...to the council, these funds will pay for 730 Tasers (enough to equip 100% of uniformed patrol officers) and..."

Feb. 13, 2004 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Knee, Wynn, Futrell Austin's 'A' Team

"...training, and supply more officers with less-than-lethal weaponry, including Tasers and beanbag shotguns. Specifically, Knee said he'd like to..."

Feb. 6, 2004 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...Begins: In 2019, two Williamson County sheriff’s deputies used Tasers repeatedly on 40-year-old Javier Ambler II after a chase..."

March 1, 2024 News Feature

Shoot First, Create a Law to Make It Legal Later

Texas bill ensures zero consequences for police who injure people with "less lethal" rounds

"...modified shotguns, "less lethal projectile devices" would presumably include Tasers, used by police throughout the state, and grenade launchers,..."

April 21, 2023 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

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