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San Francisco Police Commission debates retooled use‑of‑force policy and whether to allow Tasers
Summary
The Police Commission spent hours on May 4 reviewing draft use‑of‑force general orders, weighing mandatory 'shall' de‑escalation language, a 'minimal reliance on force' standard, crisis‑intervention team roles and whether to authorize a limited, specialist‑only trial of electronic control devices. Commissioners directed staff to produce alternate drafts and seek DOJ/PERF guidance before any vote.
Commission President Susie Loftus on May 4 opened a hours‑long review of proposed revisions to the San Francisco Police Department's use‑of‑force rules, asking commissioners and stakeholders to weigh in on whether the city should adopt stricter standards for when officers may use force and whether electronic control devices (ECDs), commonly called Tasers, should be deployed at all.
The commission, meeting in San Francisco, heard presentations from a broad set of stakeholders — including the Bar Association, the ACLU, the Coalition on Homelessness, the Office of Citizen Complaints and outside consultants — who urged several changes to the draft general orders. Multiple presenters recommended replacing 'objectively reasonable' language with a 'minimal reliance on force' standard and inserting mandatory 'shall' language requiring officers to use…
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