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Leggett asks for review of Taser use by Montgomery County police Leggett asks for review of Taser use by Montgomery County police
(35 minutes later)
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) has asked police to review the department’s use of Tasers, the electroshock stun guns deployed by county officers in four fatal incidents since 2009--the most of any jurisdiction in the state. Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) has asked police to review the department’s use of Tasers, the electroshock stun guns deployed by county officers in four fatal incidents since 2009 — the most of any jurisdiction in the state.
Leggett said Thursday he asked Montgomery Police Chief Thomas Manger to examine Taser use in the four deaths, along with the department’s policies and training, in response to a Baltimore Sun investigation published Saturday.Leggett said Thursday he asked Montgomery Police Chief Thomas Manger to examine Taser use in the four deaths, along with the department’s policies and training, in response to a Baltimore Sun investigation published Saturday.
“To my surprise we’re leading the pack in the number of deaths by Tasers,’ Leggett said. “It raises questions to me about how, when and how frequently we use them...I’ve asked Chief Manger to go back and review all of it.” “To my surprise we’re leading the pack in the number of deaths by Tasers,” Leggett said. “It raises questions to me about how, when and how frequently we use them. . . . I’ve asked Chief Manger to go back and review all of it.”
Leggett added that he might also ask an outside consultant to participate in the review “to make sure we have enough eyes on it.”Leggett added that he might also ask an outside consultant to participate in the review “to make sure we have enough eyes on it.”
A police spokeswoman, Lucille Baur, confirmed that the review is underway. “The chief and the county executive are on the same page as usual,” Baur said.A police spokeswoman, Lucille Baur, confirmed that the review is underway. “The chief and the county executive are on the same page as usual,” Baur said.
The Sun reported that Montgomery police have been involved in four of 11 fatal Taser incidents in Maryland since 2009. In three of the four, officers exceeded the recommended 15-second safety limit, the newspaper reported. Between 2012 and 2014, there were 42 incidents involving Montgomery police where Taser lasted longer than 15 seconds. In one instance, Tasers were activated for 108 seconds. The Sun reported that Montgomery police have been involved in four of 11 fatal Taser incidents in Maryland since 2009. In three of the four, officers exceeded the recommended 15-second safety limit, the newspaper reported. Between 2012 and 2014, there were 42 incidents involving Montgomery police in which Taser lasted longer than 15 seconds. In one instance, Tasers were activated for 108 seconds.
Overall Montgomery ranked third in the state for stun gun use behind the city of Baltimore and Baltimore County, with 326 incidents since 2009.Overall Montgomery ranked third in the state for stun gun use behind the city of Baltimore and Baltimore County, with 326 incidents since 2009.
The Sun story included a 17-minute iPhone video of the fatal April 2013 Tasering of Anthony Howard, 51, in a Gaithersburg cul de sac. Howard who had been acting erratically, was standing still, holding a child’s scooter, when officers fired Tasers nine times for a total of 37 seconds. The Sun story included a 17-minute iPhone video of the fatal April 2013 Tasering of Anthony Howard, 51, in a Gaithersburg cul de sac. Howard, who had been acting erratically, was standing still, holding a child’s scooter, when officers fired Tasers nine times for a total of 37 seconds.
A police spokesman told The Sun that grand juries cleared the officers of any criminal behavior in the incident and the three other fatal episodes. But Leggett said the department’s policies regarding Taser use may still need revision. A police spokesman told the Sun that grand juries cleared the officers of any criminal behavior in the incident and the three other fatal episodes. But Leggett said the department’s policies regarding Taser use may still need revision.
“Looking at it as a criminal matter is a different standard,” said Leggett, who said it seemed from the video that Howard had been Tasered “too often and too long.”“Looking at it as a criminal matter is a different standard,” said Leggett, who said it seemed from the video that Howard had been Tasered “too often and too long.”
Montgomery County Council member Marc Elrich (D-At-Large), chairman of the public safety committee, praised Leggett’s decision to call for a review. He said his committee will hold an April 28 hearing with police officials on Taser policies.Montgomery County Council member Marc Elrich (D-At-Large), chairman of the public safety committee, praised Leggett’s decision to call for a review. He said his committee will hold an April 28 hearing with police officials on Taser policies.
Elrich said he was reluctant to draw conclusions before talking to police, but called the Howard video “disturbing.”Elrich said he was reluctant to draw conclusions before talking to police, but called the Howard video “disturbing.”
“You can’t possibly be trained to do that,” Elrich said.“You can’t possibly be trained to do that,” Elrich said.