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Tasers and carotid chokeholds flagged in PERF report; legal and community concerns raised
Summary
PERF recommended stricter, centralized investigations of officer shootings, aligning firearms policy with training, considering Conducted Energy Devices (TASERs) under restrictive rules and upgrading the carotid restraint in the use-of-force continuum; commissioners and community advocates urged cautious deliberation and further discussion of mental-health and civil-liberties risks.
The Police Executive Research Forum recommended that San Francisco centralize investigations of officer-involved shootings, align written firearm policy with actual training and consider introducing Conducted Energy Devices (commonly called TASERs) under tightly restricted conditions.
PERF outlined use-of-force recommendations to improve training, investigation and policy clarity. "It should not be a question of marksmanship," Craig Fraser said, arguing that investigations of officer-involved shootings should focus on intent rather than whether a suspect was struck. The consultants also recommended bringing SFPD policy "in line with its training and practice. The policy has lagged behind training and practice," Fraser said.
TASERs and CEDs "We think it can be effective when the conditions for use are carefully considered, are restrictive," PERFs presenters said, but they also acknowledged recent calls for caution from Amnesty International. Fraser noted the group had invited Amnesty and civil-rights organizations into their deliberations and included example guidelines in Appendix 6 of the PERF report.
Civil-liberties and mental-health questions Supervisors and commissioners asked whether the PERF appendices sufficiently addressed mental-health incidents, pregnancy, age and language barriers. Commissioner Lee and others pressed PERF to expand explicit exclusions and safeguards for people who are visibly frail, pregnant, under the influence, or suffering mental-health crises; PERF said Appendix 6 discourages use on pregnant women, elderly and young children except in exigent circumstances and recommended tailored restrictions.
Carotid restraint and canine policy PERF recommended reclassifying the carotid restraint as the second-highest option short of firearms, a stance that drew particular concern. Consultants said the recommendation reflects how the technique has been used on the West Coast and noted historical abuses on the East Coast where other departments banned chokeholds after fatalities decades ago. On K9s, PERF proposed an incremental shift—favoring dogs trained to "bark and hold" rather than "bite and hold" as the force is phased in or as animals are replaced.
What comes next Board members signaled a need for further discussion. Several speakers called for dedicated hearings focused on TASERs, carotid restraints and other use-of-force rules so the commission and supervisors can evaluate legal liability, training standards and civil-rights implications before any policy change or equipment acquisition is approved.
