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Commission schedules Feb. 9 taser hearing after heated debate; accepts two small donations and votes to keep closed‑session discussions private
Summary
After public debate about tasers and their relation to mental‑health incidents, the Police Commission set a dedicated hearing on Feb. 9 with presentations from the department and community input. The commission also approved a $6,000 donation and a $25 gift, and voted not to disclose closed‑session discussions.
The Police Commission on Jan. 12 approved a schedule to hold a dedicated hearing on whether to introduce tasers into departmental use on Feb. 9, after an extended debate over whether tasers should be considered alongside mental‑health training.
Commission president Thomas Mazuko said the Feb. 9 meeting will include presentations by the San Francisco Police Department and from community members opposed to or supporting taser use. "It's going to be a full blown hearing in an evening dedicated to the issues of tasers," he said. Commissioners emphasized the hearing should allow broad public input and presentations from affected communities, even as some commissioners and community advocates asked for more lead time to organize.
During the consent portion, the commission accepted two donations: a gift basket valued at about $25 to Inspector John Keane, and $6,000 to the SFPD Wilderness Youth Program from supporters of that program’s 501(c)(3). Program director Michael Rivera explained the supporters' group donated the funds for Wilderness Program activities.
The meeting also moved into closed session for personnel matters, including review of officer-involved shootings, under California case law and the Police Officers Bill of Rights. Upon return to open session the commission voted not to disclose closed-session discussions.
No final decision on tasers was made at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to circulate packet materials and for the department to provide evidence and community testimony at the Feb. 9 hearing.
