Police expand Taser use on Chicago streets

Number of offenders shot rises sharply
December 06, 2010| By Annie Sweeney, Tribune reporter

A new report shows that Chicago police used Tasers to subdue nearly 700 offenders over 12 recent months, a dramatic increase that reflects the department’s decision earlier this year to expand its use of the weapons.

In a wide-ranging annual report issued Monday, the Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates serious accusations of police misconduct, said the increased use of the sometimes-controversial electrical devices has not generated many complaints, however.

As a result, the agency said it has decided against investigating every time an officer uses a Taser, saying the hundreds of incidents were “overwhelming” its resources. Instead, it will do so only if allegations of misconduct are made, serious injury or death resulted, or a minor or senior citizen was targeted.

Police expand Taser use on Chicago streets – Chicago Tribune.