Police agencies temper Taser use

BOISE – Some law enforcement agencies in southwest Idaho are retraining officers about when to use Tasers following a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The court last month set down strict guidelines for when police officers in some Western states may use Tasers after ruling a California police officer used excessive force when he used a Taser on an unarmed, nonviolent suspect.

Nampa police Chief Bill Augsburger said officers there have used Tasers on fleeing suspects but that that will change.

“If somebody runs from a traffic stop and we don’t have anything other than a traffic violation, we are just going to use shoe leather to catch them,” Augsburger told the Idaho Statesman. “We just have to be careful of the way we use force. It’s the law of the land right now.”

The Boise Police Department is also changing its policy and giving additional training to officers.

“It’s not too far out of line with current policy and practice,” said Capt. Randy Roper.

The appeals court said police should use a Taser only in threatening situations because it inflicts more pain than other so-called nonlethal weapons at an officer’s disposal.

Meridian police Chief Jeff Lavey said the court decision doesn’t affect the agency because it already has a policy that meets the court’s ruling.

Deputy police Chief Tracy Basterrechea said the agency looks at the “totality of circumstances” when using force.